Written by Monica Hernandez on June 25, 2009
____________________________________________
Today we mourn the loss of two icons in the entertainment industry: Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson, who was preparing for a comeback on stage after a long sabbatical.
And I received an email from a dear friend who wanted me to shed some light on the realities of life and death. He wrote: “...we are told to plan for our future, but here is something difficult for me to understand; why should we suddenly pass away even in the midst of our dreams and goals for our future? Doesn’t God understand? Why does He not allow us to complete our plans and be able to enjoy what we envision?”
The truth is that we do not have any control over the length of our days on planet earth, yet we do have some degree of control over the choices we make in our daily living. Though we are never sure how our plans may turn out, yet we need to make them and work towards making our dreams come true. Other than that, we would be like feathers in a storm and that is no good for us. This is one of the realities of life.
And though we do not have all the answers to the sudden passing away of people we love and admire, and others too, yet it helps us to reflect on our own lives and celebrate who we are and what we can do to be a living example of good in this life.
Further, it helps to point our thoughts to our Creator, and look at ourselves and consider how we can make our lives worthwhile to Him and His Kingdom, the world at large, our family, friends and our generation, and trust God to bring it to pass.
What are your thoughts on this? I invite your comments...
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: Today is the first day of the rest of my life and I vow to make my life worth living.
PRAYER: “Dear God, help me to discern your will for my life and help me to follow through. Amen.”
—Monica
******************
PRAYER SUPPORT
******************
Are you facing challenges? In need of prayer support? Send us an email about your prayer needs and we will come into agreement with you for the wonder-working power of God in your life.
Email: prayer@newvisionministry.org Telephone: 416-744-9745.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Lessons From Samson and Delilah - Rule Your Spirit
Written by Monica Hernandez on June 18, 2009
_________________________________________________
At Proverbs 16:32, the Scriptures tell us that “he that rules his spirit is better than he that takes a city.” This speaks of discipline or self-control, which is a fruitage of the Spirit, and is a quality we all need to build. And as we carefully examine this matter, we see that ruling our spirit involves knowing what is priority and having the discipline to execute it.
Yet, truthfully, we cannot build discipline in our lives all by our selves but God can help by accomplishing it in us, if we ask Him and follow through on His directions.
Consider Samson. It is clear that concerning his relationship with Delilah, Samson was not thinking of consequences. Sadly, he lacked discipline. Just so, in many instances of our lives, we too, lack discipline. And in contemplating this story, it is wise that we consider challenging circumstances in our lives and consequences for our thoughts, feelings, attitudes and behaviour.
What can we learn from Samson’s lack of self-control? In this life we often encounter Delilah-like people who present themselves to us in various ways and one of them is to distract us from doing what is right. They try to lure us away from our good intentions in various ways and for just as many reasons. Those Delilah characteristics cause us to lose our focus and give up our most treasured possession: our position as believers and followers of Christ.
How can we build self-control? Is this easy to do by ourselves? In Samson’s moments of need, he knew he could not muster up strength on his own and also knew it was wise to ask God for it. Just the same, God would have helped him gain self-control if he had considered it a priority and earnestly asked for wisdom, discernment and self-control in his life, long before his tragedy struck.
Is there something you know you ought to be doing in your life? Is there some direction you know you ought to be following? Is there some special gift or anointing God has placed in your life? Are you ruling your spirit and nurturing that anointing or are you like Samson, not ruling his spirit, and not being a good steward of what God had blessed him with? As you contemplate these questions, prayerfully ask the Spirit of God to guide and counsel you.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: When we discipline ourselves and nurture God's anointing on our lives, He rewards us for our faithfulness (Luke 19:17).
PRAYER: "Lord, grant me the discernment to know what is right and the strength to do it. Help me Lord, to cultivate discipline in all areas of my life. Amen."
—Monica
******************
PRAYER SUPPORT
******************
Are you facing challenges? In need of prayer support? Send us an email about your prayer needs and we will come into agreement with you for the wonder-working power of God in your life.
Email: prayer@newvisionministry.org
_________________________________________________
At Proverbs 16:32, the Scriptures tell us that “he that rules his spirit is better than he that takes a city.” This speaks of discipline or self-control, which is a fruitage of the Spirit, and is a quality we all need to build. And as we carefully examine this matter, we see that ruling our spirit involves knowing what is priority and having the discipline to execute it.
Yet, truthfully, we cannot build discipline in our lives all by our selves but God can help by accomplishing it in us, if we ask Him and follow through on His directions.
Consider Samson. It is clear that concerning his relationship with Delilah, Samson was not thinking of consequences. Sadly, he lacked discipline. Just so, in many instances of our lives, we too, lack discipline. And in contemplating this story, it is wise that we consider challenging circumstances in our lives and consequences for our thoughts, feelings, attitudes and behaviour.
What can we learn from Samson’s lack of self-control? In this life we often encounter Delilah-like people who present themselves to us in various ways and one of them is to distract us from doing what is right. They try to lure us away from our good intentions in various ways and for just as many reasons. Those Delilah characteristics cause us to lose our focus and give up our most treasured possession: our position as believers and followers of Christ.
How can we build self-control? Is this easy to do by ourselves? In Samson’s moments of need, he knew he could not muster up strength on his own and also knew it was wise to ask God for it. Just the same, God would have helped him gain self-control if he had considered it a priority and earnestly asked for wisdom, discernment and self-control in his life, long before his tragedy struck.
Is there something you know you ought to be doing in your life? Is there some direction you know you ought to be following? Is there some special gift or anointing God has placed in your life? Are you ruling your spirit and nurturing that anointing or are you like Samson, not ruling his spirit, and not being a good steward of what God had blessed him with? As you contemplate these questions, prayerfully ask the Spirit of God to guide and counsel you.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: When we discipline ourselves and nurture God's anointing on our lives, He rewards us for our faithfulness (Luke 19:17).
PRAYER: "Lord, grant me the discernment to know what is right and the strength to do it. Help me Lord, to cultivate discipline in all areas of my life. Amen."
—Monica
******************
PRAYER SUPPORT
******************
Are you facing challenges? In need of prayer support? Send us an email about your prayer needs and we will come into agreement with you for the wonder-working power of God in your life.
Email: prayer@newvisionministry.org
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Lessons From Samson and Delilah - Samson’s Prayer
Written by Monica Hernandez on June 11, 2009
____________________________________________
Samson prayed a remarkable prayer. In the midst of his trials, he called unto the Lord and said: “O Lord God, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once...” (Judges 16:28).
Samson knew that God was the Source of his great strength and knew the secret of its sustenance. He also knew he could not erase that unguarded moment when he lost his anointing to Delilah’s questioning, but he knew that he could make up for his mistake by humbly calling on God to “remember him” in a time when he wished to demonstrate his strength again.
God was faithful and honoured Samson's prayer.
Does God ever forget His children? There are times when we think God has forgotten us, be it about our skills and talents, prosperity, healing or just His presence, but He never forgets us and is always near us, awaiting our recognition. What we might call God’s forgetfulness is our forgetfulness of who God is and what He can do. Sometimes, too, we are the ones who forfeit His blessings through carelessness and taking His gifts for granted. When in trouble and distress, if only we would reach out to Him in earnest prayer, He will make His presence known. Remember that He is faithful and His mercies are new every morning
In essence, Samson was saying: “O Lord, bless me again...let me feel your presence in my weakness one more time...”
Are you now going through a time when you think God has forgotten you? Truly, though you are sensing a lack of His presence, He has not forgotten you. However, when like Samson, you earnestly call on Him, He will again manifest His presence in ways you might hardly imagine today.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: When we earnestly seek God, He re-visits his gifts. God can restore to me whatever gifts I seem to have lost.
PRAYER: “Heavenly Father, remember me with every spiritual gift You have given me in times
past. Restore them unto me, I pray. In Jesus' name I ask it. Amen.”
—Monica
******************
PRAYER SUPPORT
******************
Are you facing challenges? In need of prayer support? Send us an email about your prayer needs and we will come into agreement with you for the wonder-working power of God in your life.Email: prayer@newvisionministry.org
____________________________________________
Samson prayed a remarkable prayer. In the midst of his trials, he called unto the Lord and said: “O Lord God, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once...” (Judges 16:28).
Samson knew that God was the Source of his great strength and knew the secret of its sustenance. He also knew he could not erase that unguarded moment when he lost his anointing to Delilah’s questioning, but he knew that he could make up for his mistake by humbly calling on God to “remember him” in a time when he wished to demonstrate his strength again.
God was faithful and honoured Samson's prayer.
Does God ever forget His children? There are times when we think God has forgotten us, be it about our skills and talents, prosperity, healing or just His presence, but He never forgets us and is always near us, awaiting our recognition. What we might call God’s forgetfulness is our forgetfulness of who God is and what He can do. Sometimes, too, we are the ones who forfeit His blessings through carelessness and taking His gifts for granted. When in trouble and distress, if only we would reach out to Him in earnest prayer, He will make His presence known. Remember that He is faithful and His mercies are new every morning
In essence, Samson was saying: “O Lord, bless me again...let me feel your presence in my weakness one more time...”
Are you now going through a time when you think God has forgotten you? Truly, though you are sensing a lack of His presence, He has not forgotten you. However, when like Samson, you earnestly call on Him, He will again manifest His presence in ways you might hardly imagine today.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: When we earnestly seek God, He re-visits his gifts. God can restore to me whatever gifts I seem to have lost.
PRAYER: “Heavenly Father, remember me with every spiritual gift You have given me in times
past. Restore them unto me, I pray. In Jesus' name I ask it. Amen.”
—Monica
******************
PRAYER SUPPORT
******************
Are you facing challenges? In need of prayer support? Send us an email about your prayer needs and we will come into agreement with you for the wonder-working power of God in your life.Email: prayer@newvisionministry.org
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Lessons From Samson and Delilah - Samson's Plight
Written by Monica Hernandez on June 4, 2009
___________________________________________
I must apologize for not keeping my postings up to date in the past few weeks. Part of it is that I was away from late March to April in sunny Trinidad in the Caribbean, and since I came back, I find myself being bombarded by several distractions and obligations that got the better of me. However, here I am today with some lessons I have learned from the story of Samson and Delilah.
Some time ago, I did an in-depth study of the principles within that story and gained some insights about them, which I will share with you, my readers, in the weeks to come. I feel sure you know the story, and even if you don’t, you can read all about it in the Book of Judges, chapter 16.
Samson was a man of great physical strength given to him by God to defeat the Philistines but he lost it by giving in to pressure from Delilah to tell her the secret of his strength and what would deplete it. Delilah was persistent, and in a weak moment, Samson gave in to her pressure. He revealed the secret of his strength and Delilah won the battle. She told Samson's secret to her people, and Samson was captured and made a prisoner to the Philistines.
Samson knew his great strength was a gift from God but he took it for granted and failed to protect it from the people he was supposed to defeat. When he yielded to Delilah's questioning he lost not only his strength but also his eyes and was enslaved by the Philistines. The issue here is that Samson was "sleeping with the enemy" and paid a terrible price for that. And something similar is relevant to each of us today.
We see that Samson had great physical strength against the enemy but no moralistic strength. Instead, he was a victim of sensual weakness which caused him to compromise God's gift to him. When he needed his strength most he discovered that "the Lord was departed from him." The Bible says: "And he awoke out of his sleep and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the Lord was departed from him" (Judges 16:20). What a tragedy!
In this life we will always meet Delilahs in various disguises: people who openly fraternize with us but are inwardly against us. Often, they pressure us with ideas that are not right for us and the means of the pressure are always subtle. And our yielding to pressures from people whose ideas are not right for us will always cause us to take our minds off God and into spiritual blindness, bondage and destruction.
The characteristics of Delilah present themselves to us in various ways and one of them is to distract us from what is right by preying on our weakness. Those Delilah characteristics cause us to lose our focus and give up our most treasured possession: our strength and position as a child of God.
In this story, Delilah represents anyone or anything we allow into our lives that would usurp the anointing and gifts that God has bestowed upon us. Samson sacrificed his ideals, and thus sacrificed his gift of unusual strength. The same thing will happen to anyone today who fails to give proper attention to God's gifts in their lives.
Can you imagine how Samson felt when he discovered he was deceived by Delilah? Can you imagine how he felt when he realized that his strength was not there when he needed it most? Can you imagine how he felt, realizing that the moment of his folly could not be re-captured and erased?
What can we learn from Samson's plight? We can learn not to fraternize with people and circumstances that are not right for us. We can learn not to compromise who we truly are but guard the anointing and gifts God has blessed us with. We can learn not to let enemy forces win.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: In this life we are to guard the anointing that God places in our lives.
“Heavenly Father, I thank you for the gifts you have placed in my life. Help me to keep them and use them for your glory and your Kingdom. Amen.”
— Monica
******************
PRAYER SUPPORT
******************
Are you facing challenges? In need of prayer support? Send us an email about your prayer needs and we will come into agreement with you for the wonder-working power of God in your life.
Email: prayer@newvisionministry.org
___________________________________________
I must apologize for not keeping my postings up to date in the past few weeks. Part of it is that I was away from late March to April in sunny Trinidad in the Caribbean, and since I came back, I find myself being bombarded by several distractions and obligations that got the better of me. However, here I am today with some lessons I have learned from the story of Samson and Delilah.
Some time ago, I did an in-depth study of the principles within that story and gained some insights about them, which I will share with you, my readers, in the weeks to come. I feel sure you know the story, and even if you don’t, you can read all about it in the Book of Judges, chapter 16.
Samson was a man of great physical strength given to him by God to defeat the Philistines but he lost it by giving in to pressure from Delilah to tell her the secret of his strength and what would deplete it. Delilah was persistent, and in a weak moment, Samson gave in to her pressure. He revealed the secret of his strength and Delilah won the battle. She told Samson's secret to her people, and Samson was captured and made a prisoner to the Philistines.
Samson knew his great strength was a gift from God but he took it for granted and failed to protect it from the people he was supposed to defeat. When he yielded to Delilah's questioning he lost not only his strength but also his eyes and was enslaved by the Philistines. The issue here is that Samson was "sleeping with the enemy" and paid a terrible price for that. And something similar is relevant to each of us today.
We see that Samson had great physical strength against the enemy but no moralistic strength. Instead, he was a victim of sensual weakness which caused him to compromise God's gift to him. When he needed his strength most he discovered that "the Lord was departed from him." The Bible says: "And he awoke out of his sleep and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the Lord was departed from him" (Judges 16:20). What a tragedy!
In this life we will always meet Delilahs in various disguises: people who openly fraternize with us but are inwardly against us. Often, they pressure us with ideas that are not right for us and the means of the pressure are always subtle. And our yielding to pressures from people whose ideas are not right for us will always cause us to take our minds off God and into spiritual blindness, bondage and destruction.
The characteristics of Delilah present themselves to us in various ways and one of them is to distract us from what is right by preying on our weakness. Those Delilah characteristics cause us to lose our focus and give up our most treasured possession: our strength and position as a child of God.
In this story, Delilah represents anyone or anything we allow into our lives that would usurp the anointing and gifts that God has bestowed upon us. Samson sacrificed his ideals, and thus sacrificed his gift of unusual strength. The same thing will happen to anyone today who fails to give proper attention to God's gifts in their lives.
Can you imagine how Samson felt when he discovered he was deceived by Delilah? Can you imagine how he felt when he realized that his strength was not there when he needed it most? Can you imagine how he felt, realizing that the moment of his folly could not be re-captured and erased?
What can we learn from Samson's plight? We can learn not to fraternize with people and circumstances that are not right for us. We can learn not to compromise who we truly are but guard the anointing and gifts God has blessed us with. We can learn not to let enemy forces win.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: In this life we are to guard the anointing that God places in our lives.
“Heavenly Father, I thank you for the gifts you have placed in my life. Help me to keep them and use them for your glory and your Kingdom. Amen.”
— Monica
******************
PRAYER SUPPORT
******************
Are you facing challenges? In need of prayer support? Send us an email about your prayer needs and we will come into agreement with you for the wonder-working power of God in your life.
Email: prayer@newvisionministry.org
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