Today is United We Kneel February! 

After all this anticipation, plannning, and writing, I am so happy that it is here. May we all be found on our knees asking for an outpouring of His pure and undefiled love for all people. May it flow through our veins and be shared with everyone we come into contact with. May we have His love and not human love! 

Human love is on our terms and conditions, His love has no terms or conditions! May He "Give Us His Eyes" and His love so that we may see people and love people as He does!

All For His Glory,

Kneeling At His Feet

“Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” Ephesians 5:1-2

Let’s go back to 1 John 4:7-8 for a minute, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” (Emphasis mine)  So we all assume that we know God and love Him right, but according to these verses, if you know God you will love, for the one who does not love, does not know Him, for He is love! What I would like to suggest to you is not that we don’t know God, but perhaps, we don’t know Him enough. For if we truly grasped how much He loves us, how could we not show His love to those around us? How could we not offer the life and freedom that it brings? How could we possibly hold back? It says in 1 John 3:14b, “He who does not love abides in death.” If we truly knew and experienced the love of our God and lived in it on a daily basis how could we not show that to others? How could we not make them hungry?

There are so many broken and hurting people, even in the Body. When will we see the need and spread the love? We have what they need! Or do we? Do we have the love they need, cause if not we surely need to ask for some holy outpouring of His love. We are to love as Christ loves us, is that the kind of love you have? Love isn’t just a feeling, it’s an action. Christ could have looked at us, all decked out in our rags of righteousness, got frustrated and chose to leave us. Instead, HE shows us what true love is. True love is acting despite your feelings. True love is thinking of others first. True love is action, not just fuzzy warm feelings in your heart. True love goes the extra mile and loves even when there is no love in return. I would specifically like us to be praying that we would be filled up to all capacity with the love of the Messiah and that it would just pour out of us onto all those we come into contact with. The Body needs to learn how to love one another again and may our lives just be the tip of the iceberg!

I know that this has been a lot to think about over the past few days but I want to leave you with this verse. “Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.” 1 John 3:18 

I may write more later on in the month but this sets the ground work and gets the ball rolling. Check out what the Word says for yourself! Wanna know God better, read His Word! It’s His love letter to you, read it, study it, examine it, dig into it. It will never cease to produce new revelations and soulful delight! Because as Beth Moore says, “There ain’t no high like the Most High!”.

For His Glory Alone,
          Kneeling At His Feet

“So as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.” Colossians 3:12-14

Ok, so now we have established how much God loves us and that before we can extend love to others we must extend love to ourselves. Now, in John 13:35  it talks about as His disciples the world will know us by our love for one another. Practically, as this group of so-called “disciples”, we are a sad bunch. Looking at us, you’d think we’d had no example. We’ve thrown love out the window for selfishness and personal gain. Our feeble attempts are quickly tossed aside when the road gets rough or a little rocky. We bail for the easy people. Those who are like us and who “get” us. What is love? Well, there’s love the feeling, that’s what the world uses. Then, there’s love the action, love the service, that is God’s way. Now I’m not saying that you can’t feel love. I’m just saying that we don’t’ want the kind of love that just feels good. In fact, more often than not, real love won’t feel warm and gushy. It’s work, and a lot of it!  “For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?” Matthew 5:46

I heard the other day on the radio that a 1/3 of the Body is hurting. If a 1/3 of the Body is hurting, where are the rest of us? You see the problem is that no one is willing to get in there, to help build up the Body again when it’s weak, to nurse it when it’s hurt, or to bind up the wounds and serve the sick. Everyone is too busy to take the time. WAKE UP PEOPLE! The Body of Christ is falling apart around us and we don’t have the time? So, what is it going to take for you to make the time? What is it going to take for the LORD to get your attention? We don’t want to get around people that are hurting because then we’ll realize how much we are hurting and our “perfect family, perfect person, perfect marriage, perfect teenager, perfect life” scenario will crumble down around our feet! It’s not going to work people! It takes guts to love with all you’ve got. It takes time and energy and heart! It takes what you have, but are you willing to give it? God has given you all you need to love with a lasting, passionate, Christ-like love, but is that what you really want? Or do you just want to keep going like you are? Skimming the surface of people’s lives, pretending to be friends, pretending to be warriors, all the while leaving the dirty work to others?

You know what? Love hurts sometimes! It sure hurt Christ! Yet, you didn’t see Him turn around and say, “You know what Father, forget it! I love them and I love You, but this is just way harder than it’s worth. I don’t really think You understand how much pain this is causing me! It’s excruciating, it’s humiliating, it’s draining………” NO! He pushed through because of His love. We are His disciples. We follow His example! I know it’s not easy because I’m trying to practice it just like the rest of you. When a family member gets snappy and grumpy and accuses you unjustly it’s very easy to “feel” like you don’t love them, but true love says, I love you enough to love you through this! I love you enough to love you even when you’re unlovely. I love you enough to see through the façade and realize that you are hurting and need a shoulder to cry on. I love you enough to go through the pain and heartache with you and trust that He will give the strength for the mission He has set before us. God never calls us to something He won’t give the strength to accomplish! “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.” John 15:12

So many broken and hurting people, even in the Body. When will we see the need and spread the love? We have what they need! Or do we? Do we have the love they need, cause if not we surely need to ask for some holy outpouring of His love. We are to love as Christ loves us, is that the kind of love you have? Love isn’t just a feeling, it’s an action. Christ could have looked at us, all decked out in our rags of righteousness, got frustrated and chose to leave us. Instead, HE shows us what true love is. True love is acting despite your feelings. True love is thinking of others first. True love is action, not just feelings.

To be continued...............

For the Furthering of His Kingdom!

Kneeling At His Feet

 “The LORD your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will renew you in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.” Zephaniah 3:17

          All right, now that we have established how much God (and Christ) loves us, let’s move on to the next factor. If God loves us beyond measure and His love is residing in our hearts, why are we finding it difficult to extend that love to other people? Yeah, I’m shifting the focus here! If we are His disciples, which I believe we all claim to be, why can we not walk in His love?        

          “Excuse me Lady. I was in line first. The line starts back there!”

“Oh man! That old man took the parking spot I was going to use. Now I have to park way out in the back and walk in the freezing cold and blowing wind to get inside the store. By the time I get in the door I’ll be an icicle!”

Thinking to yourself as you look in the mirror, “Man, I’m so ugly! Why did God have to create me with such a big nose and chunky hips? Couldn’t He have given me a little help in the metabolism area? I mean, look at me? I look like a barrel in these clothes. I’m so tired of wearing sweat pants every day. My hair is so flat! I just can’t do anything with it! Aaaaahhhhhh!  I just can’t stand this anymore!”

I know you’re wondering what the last example has to do with today’s topic. Well, to make it straightforward and simple. We have trouble extending love because we don’t love ourselves! Yes, I’ll say it again. We don’t love ourselves. We are who God created us to be, big nose, chunky hips, flat hair and all. God created us and He loves every inch of us! He looks on us and His love is so great that we can’t even wrap our minds around its depth and intensity. Obviously, some of our dilemmas are created by sinful habits (over-eating, gluttony, lack of discipline) and this is not an excuse for continuing to live and walk in those sinful habits. (For God has not given us a spirit of cowardice, but of power and love and discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7) However, most of the time, there is nothing we can do about what we see as our defect! We can’t really do anything about our flat hair, big nose, too tiny eyes, or my own struggle, freckles. God created you that way on purpose! It makes you unique and different from anyone else. God doesn’t make junk! It’s not about who we are on the outside but who we are on the inside. God is working in your heart and making you who He wants you to be. He loves you and won’t give up on you, EVER!

 Now, we have the choice, since we know that nothing can separate from the love of God (Romans 8:38-39) to love ourselves and see ourselves through His lens, or to hate ourselves. Let me ask you a question. When you are a having a bad day, nothing is going right, your favorite clothes are in the wash, your hair is all fuzzy, your makeup all smeared and you just aren’t feeling that love from Above, is it easy to extend His love others? Or is it easier when you are perfectly comfortable in your clothes and in your skin? Of course, the latter! What does this point out? That our ability to show the love of Christ, depends on the degree of our love for ourselves. When we realize that He loves us, no matter how broken or disheveled we may appear, it sets us free to shed the lies of the world and live in the freedom that His love offers.

Another thing that is directly proportional to the way we view ourselves is the way we view how God loves us. In your Bible reading for the day, if you already have preconceived that you are just ugly and worthless, will you be open to feeling and seeing His love? Even if you do, will you believe it? We have to let go of the widely accepted garbage the world offers in place of the truth and realize that HE LOVES US no matter what our hearts or our hair looks like. He is the Master of all and He’s got it all under control. You can be real with Him and trust Him with all the stuff you won’t trust anyone else with.

To be continued.....................

For His Glory Alone,

Kneeling At His Fee

United We Kneel: February 3^rd, 2010

       “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35

     Love, is it an action or a feeling? Is it a verb, an adjective, or a noun? There is the world’s definition of love and the LORD’s definition of love. By which should we abide?

          By this time you have probably hung around this blog enough to know that we don’t advocate the world’s way here. In fact, we go as far as to go the opposite direction. We don’t care what the world thinks, we answer to a Higher Authority! We exist to please Him and He has created our beings and breathed life into us for the purpose of bringing Him honor. He doesn’t need people to make Him God, He is that all on His own. He allows us to be part of His glorious and marvelous plan. It is a privilege to live for Him and to do His bidding! We follow His path so that, through His example, we can point the world to Him! So saying I’d like to point you to another verse, “The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” 1 John 4:8.        

          Just think about that for a minute. It challenges everything we claim to believe about ourselves. If God is love, and we are supposed to be walking in His footsteps, where is our love? As I was praying about what February’s theme should be, love rose up in my heart. I know some of us are sick about hearing that “love will fix the world and grace covers sins, so it’s ok to keep sinning because Jesus loves us and will forgive us.” Hold on a minute and keep reading. I think this might surprise you!

          So according to 1 John 4:8 (the above verse) God is love. Do we all agree with that statement? God loved us so much that He sent His one and only Son to die a horrific death on a wooden cross to be the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. He sent His Son so that His blood could wash away our sins and allow us to have an up-close and intimate relationship with the Father.  It even says in Ephesians 3:18-19 that we cannot even comprehend the breadth, the length, the height, and the depth of how much Christ loves us. It surpasses knowledge! Just sit and think about His love for you for a minute, let that sink in. No, I really mean it! Close your eyes and think about how much He loves you! How many ways, just today, has He shown that He cares for you? That He loves you? That He is in love with YOU?

To be continued in the next post............

All For His Glory,

Kneeling At His Feet

I know we have some new followers this year for the blog so I wanted to remind you all that if you want to get e-mail updates you can pm me your e-mail address and I will add you to my mailing list! 

What does this mean? It means that once you Pm me with you address (if you know me personally and don't have a HSB account you can text me or e-mail me to let me know you want to be added) I will automatically add you to my mailing list and erase that Private message. I will, under no circumstances, sell, rent, or distribute your information and no third party will be involved.

Once you're signed up, every time I update on this blog, HSB will send you an e-mail with the direct link to that page.  I, personally, am on the mailing lists of a few people. It's nice because I know that I don't have to go check their blog every week because when they post I'll get an update!  So, if you want to be added to the mailing list for this blog, pm me your e-mail and you'll be all set! Have a blessed day in Him!

Fighting for the KING of Kings,

Kneeling At His Feet

If We Are The Body

Casting Crowns

It's crowded in worship today
As she slips in trying to fade into the faces
The girls teasing laughter is
carrying farther than they know
Farther than they know

Chorus:
But if we are the body
Why aren't His arms reaching?
Why aren't His hands healing?
Why aren't His words teaching?
And if we are the body
Why aren't His feet going?
Why is His love not showing them there is a way?
There is a way

A traveler is far away from home
He sheds his coat and quietly sinks into the back row
The weight of their judgmental glances
Tells him that his chances are better out on the road

Chorus

Jesus paid much too high a price
For us to pick and choose who should come
And we are the body of Christ

Chorus

Jesus is the way

“We need to learn how to engage in spiritual warfare as a body! In combat alone our strength will surely wear out, but as a body, an army, just think of what could be accomplished if each of you who is reading this stands up and prays persistently for the lost, hurting, tired, broken people in their lives!  WOW! It would be amazing! We can start a revolution!!! We can start a new trend, a new expectation, a new measuring stick, a new normal!  WE CAN DO IT WITH HIS STRENGTH!!! We are the Body of Christ, nothing is impossible when He is the Head. He wants us to support, encourage, and challenge each other. He wants us to engage each other, to sharpen each other, and bow our hearts before Him together.”

Ok yeah, so that’s great and it’s awesome and I’m excited about it, but how do we live it?

So here are some of my practical suggestions for living it all out:

1.     It was already mentioned that not only do we need to pray for the lost, weary, broken, and dog-tired people in our lives, but we need to do it persistently! Every day we need to make it our habit to lift ourselves and those around us up in prayer. Our enemy is not as strong as our God but he is strong enough to pull the weak away. Our strength to accomplish His will is not sufficient, but His is!

2.    We need to stay connected with the Body. So often I see many going off on their own little journey through life and forgetting that they are part of a body! We are a body and we work together! God may give you a specific mission, yes, but that is not a call to walk it alone. Share the goal with the Body, let them support you and strengthen you. Don’t leave them in the dust while you go off and do your own thing. That is not unity!

3.    Another way to stay unified with those around you, especially friends your age, is to keep in touch. To find out what their struggling with and commit to pray for them every day. It’s all well and good to find out about their schedules and the weather, what kind of music they like or their new favorite song but we need to get deeper!  We need to say, “Ok honestly, how are you doing? What are you struggling with this week? What has the LORD been showing you lately?  Can you pray for me? I am really struggling with this certain thing.”  We need to be honest with each other and really be there for each other. We need to be “true” friends who care more about the soul and the spiritual warfare than going home after church and watching sports or cooking a big meal.

I try to call my friends and have a real heart 2 heart with each of them once a month. I want to keep updated on their progress and their struggles, and their spiritual condition. We cannot keep people accountable or help them in their fight against darkness if we don’t know what’s going on in their lives? We need to be real and open. We need to be able to show our brokenness and our hurt without being ashamed of it. We need to share our struggles with one another so we can be held accountable and give those in the Body an opportunity to stand with us and support us! (This is not license for gossip! When someone confides in you, it is your responsibility to keep that confidential unless they say otherwise!)

4.    Another way to encourage one another is to simply live your life with a passion for God and a heart for His Word. It is so refreshing to be around like-minded people who love God with their whole hearts. Remember that oftentimes pointing people to Scripture is the answer. If they’re not receptive to the Bible, say it in your own words. Just living in the zeal of the LORD will unify and encourage those around.

5.    So often petty things divide us from being unified. We are all parts of the Body. We all believe that Jesus Christ (Yeshua Messiah) is the Savior and His Father is The One True God. That is the common thread that binds us together.  Sometimes we just have to put differences aside, focus on the commonality, and work together for the LORD. Don’t let differences divide you from unity in the Body. We must stand together or most assuredly, we will all fall separately!

So there you go, some of my ideas for how to live in unity, encouraging one another and sharpening one another. What are yours? Let’s hear from you!  What are some of the ways you encourage others or do your part to keep unity?

“For the body is not one member but many. If we were all one member, where would the body be? But now there are many members, but one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you’; or again the head to the feet, ‘I have no need of you’. On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has composed the body, giving more abundant honor to the member which lacked, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it.” 1 Corinthians 12:14&17-27

In Him Alone,

Kneeling At His Feet

“But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day (of the LORD’s returning) would overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; so then let us not sleep (spiritually) as others do, but let us be alert and sober. For those who sleep do so at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep, (physically) we will live together with Him. Therefore, encourage one another and build up one another, just as you are also doing. But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you admonition, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:4-18

Keep fighting the good fight in His Name! We are Sons and Daughters of the Light of the World! Let us be on our alert and continue to encourage one another in Godliness, for who knows how much time we have left on this earth!

Kneeling At His Feet

Thank You For Such A Great Year  

                      &

Welcome to the Newcomers

        Thank you everyone who participated in United We Kneel this month and all throughout 2009! I have prayed that you would all be blessed for your devotion and heart to pray.

 I am very pleased that so many people have invested in this ministry and have come along side me and caught the vision of UWK. I am so excited to see what the LORD has in store for all of us warriors as we submit to Him and stand up for Him this year! May He unite our hearts with the common goal of living and fighting for Him. May He fill our hearts with courage and strength as we face the fiercest enemy that has ever roamed the earth.  Stand with us this year as we fall on our knees before His Throne and petition for grace and mercy for our Country, and for one another.

For Those of You Who Are New to UWK, this is what you may expect:

Here, we sharpen one another and pray for one another. Here, we are striving to inspire one another, bless one another, forge friendships, and strengthen the brotherhood (sisterhood). Here, we work together towards the common goal of serving our King with everything that we have.  Here, we do not tremble at the darkness in this world, because we know the power of the Light of the World. Here, we strive in everything we do to be correct representations to the World of what disciples of Jesus (Yeshua) look like. Here, we live in His presence, we fight for His kingdom, we love because He first loved us, we serve because He showed us how to be a servant, we follow Him because He is worthy of our devotion, although we are not worthy of His love.

Here, you will find brothers (at least I think there are some :D They must be the quiet type) and sisters who are committed to the Kingdom of God and to each other. If you are looking for a community of Believers to stand with you through all of the trials and tribulations of life, you have come to the right place. Come and be a part of the mighty army of Christ! You will never be lonely (He is always with you and we here to support you whenever we can), you will never be at a lack for adventure (battles to be fought against evil are around every turn), you will never be just someone blending into the background (God made everyone with purpose and a destiny. We all have a special part to play in the Body) and you will never be more blessed than when you know the joy of Living for the One True God and joining in His army.

Thank you for joining with us in 2009 and getting this thing started! I would like to see United We Kneel grow even more in 2010 not only in numbers but in passion for our cause. If you know of any way to spread the word about this ministry to your friends and young people around you please do so. There is a button you can put on your blog that proclaims your support (Pm me for the code) and we can also do interviews if necessary. Perhaps you would like to do a review on your blog for United We Kneel, or think up some of your own ways! Please leave us a comment and let us know how you have chosen to spread the word. We welcome newcomers and anyone whose heart is set on fighting for our King and living according to His Word!

To God Alone Be The Glory,

Kneeling At His Feet

Maiden Princess

Today Is The Day!!!

        Today is the day, the first UWK for 2010! Throughout 2010 our theme for United We Kneel will be specifically on the Body of Christ. This month we will be praying that:

1.     The Body will begin to work together as a unit, functioning as the Body should

2.    The Body will learn how to fight together against the Enemy

3.    The Body would be bold and fight for victory, having no hesitation in engaging in combat with the Enemy

4.    The Body would encourage each other in this battle we fight together

Not only will we be praying about these things and trying to implement them in our own lives today, but all throughout this month of January. Today, may a shout of victory resound in the camp of our LORD! May it be so loud that the Enemy will shake in fear because of what he knows that servants fully committed to fighting for the King can accomplish! Together, with Him at our Head, we will defeat the powers of darkness! For if He is for us, who can stand against us?

.Fighting this battle with you and finding strength on my knees,

Kneeling At His Feet

Maiden Princess

United We Kneel: January 3^rd, 2010

        I know you all are wondering what we are going to be praying about this next month. Well, since it will also be a new year I would like to choose something that kind of has overtones for the whole next year. I have had a suggestion that we do the Body of Christ. Each month we can break that down more specifically and pray different areas underneath that.  So by the end of the year we would have prayed for 12 specific areas in the Body of Christ.

          This month I would like to pray for the wounded in the Body! I feel such a need to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ. So many are hungry, and thirsty for Him but won’t make time for Him or just plain old are too tired to reach out to Him. Some are tired of struggling for so long without breakthroughs. Women are tired of leading the families and men are content with the way things are (I’m generalizing here). Families aren’t connecting. Young people are losing sight of the goals He has set before them. We are needed to fill the gap for them, to be prayer WARRIORS for them. To continually point them to Him through our lives and our speech.

So many who have to potential to do BIG things for God, but who are being tested to their breaking points. We must remember though, that God allows NOTHING that will not yet grow us and strengthen us, in Him if we chose to let Him has His perfect work in our hearts.  Satan knows who can be influential in the Kingdom and will do everything in his power to stop them. His time is short people. He is fighting harder than ever for as many souls as possible. Let’s make him regret ever messing with the Children of the King! Let us kneel together and lift up our wounded and weakened siblings. It’s A WAR!!!! We can’t afford to ignore those battle injuries on our front lines. We are fighting on the same side for goodness sakes! We need to get our eyes off ourselves and instead bend down to help take care of a brother or sister who has been wounded or is wavering. The Enemy is fighting like nobody’s business for the souls of our friends, your sister, your brother, your relatives, for YOU! FIGHT BACK before you wake-up and find that they are gone!!! Don’t let them slip down that steep slope toward the Enemy’s camp. Hold onto their arms! Pray for their soul! Point them to their source of strength, God!

Brothers and sisters, it is time to stop sulking in the shadows!  Get up and fight for the souls of the ones you love! We need to learn how to engage in spiritual warfare as a body! In combat alone our strength will surely wear out, but as a body, an army, just think of what could be accomplished if each of you who is reading this stands up and prays PERSISTENTLY for the lost, hurting, tired, broken people in their lives!  WOW! It would be amazing! We can start a revolution!!! We can start a new trend, a new expectation, a new measuring stick, a new normal!  WE CAN DO IT WITH HIS STRENGTH!!! We are the Body of Christ, NOTHING is impossible when He is the Head. He wants us to support, encourage, and challenge each other. He wants us to engage each other, to sharpen each other, and bow our hearts before Him together. We are not in this alone, at least, we don’t have to be! We all want the same thing, unity, purpose, passion, adventure, a vibrant life! Look no farther. At your very doorstep is the adventure of your life. As soon as you engage the Sword of the Spirit it begins. Let His strength uphold and empower you, let the mind of Christ guide you, let His love enfold you and His compassion flow through your veins. Let His Word fill your mind and your heart and pledge your heart to be loyal to the One and only True King!

What do you say fellow warriors, are you ready to engage in some real warfare? It will be challenging, terrifying at times, it will get bloody and gruesome. Yet, if we cannot fight for the ones we love, we have not learned of the true love of Christ. He gave His life because He loved you, me, all of us. As His disciples, can we do any less than follow in His steps? Do not despair because we are young. Never underestimate what Christ can do in a heart that is truly submitted and willing to fight for Him. There is a battle going on here, we can no longer turn our heads and pretend to not see it. It’s time to do something! It’s time to engage with the sword the enemy and let them taste of the power of the One True God!

Fighting Beside You On My Knees,

          Kneeling At His Feet

          Maiden Princess

“For the weapons o our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,” 2 Corinthians 10:4-5   

(That is how we can overcome in this increasing evil world and not be drawn away by the enticement of the Enemy, by setting our thoughts always on Him.)

“Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.” 1 Timothy 4:12

“For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7

“I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and turn aside to myths.” 2 Timothy 4:1-4

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8

“Our people must learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so they not be unfruitful.” Titus 3:14

“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of the soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

“Take care brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. But encourage one another, day after day, as long as it still called ‘Today,’ so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” Hebrews 3:12-13

“Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.” 1 Peter 5:8-9

“For the body is not one member, but many. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to the member which lacked, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it.” 1 Corinthians 13:14&24b-27

Hey Everyone,

             Most of you know that today is United We Kneel. And most of you will have probably noticed that I haven't posted any previous information about today. I really was going to post about it a few days ago and then my life just picked up speed and I forgot. A dear friend reminded me about it today! 

           I am at my Aunt C.'s house with her lovely family and so, while I will be praying, I have not thought of any specific thing to pray for. If any of you have something strongly on your hearts that you would like us all to pray about or even just prayer requests, you can comment them here and I will be checking throughout the day.

My prayer requests are here:

1. That my prodigal brother would see his deep need for a Savior. (Without seeing your sins why would you think you need to be saved from them) and that his eyes would be opened to the pit of sinfulness and death that the world really is.

2. That YHVH* (the LORD) would strengthen and protect my parents and I during this entire thing and cause good to come out of it.

Those are my immediate prayer requests. If I think of any others I will post them here later. I look forward to coming before the Throne of Grace petitioning for myself and for you!  May YHVH (the LORD) bless you as you seek His face and His will!

* I am researching the true Name of God or the Divine Name right now, and although I'm not for certain, I am leaning more towards YHVH. Just for those of you wondering!

Kneeling At His Feet,

Maiden Princess

"Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us." 1 John 5:14

The Fragrance of the Messiah

        “For we are the fragrance of Messiah to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing;” 2 Corinthians 2:15 (Emphasis Mine)

          If we are the fragrance of Messiah what do we smell like? Are we a stinky smell with our attitudes and petty arguments? Are we a burning smell, destroying everyone and everything in our path? Are we a sweet smell, like the smell of pure and fragrant incense burning before the LORD in the temple?

          What was the fragrance of the Messiah? Since we follow in His footsteps, we should smell like Him.  He left a sweet lingering aroma. An aroma that was out of the ordinary, while at the same time, one that made them feel welcome in His presence. The essence of His aroma was the love and character of His Father. What do you think? What is/was the fragrance of the Messiah?

          Whatever you do today, make sure you are rightly representing the Father, our King!  People are watching you! They want to see if you’re any different. Are you? Spread the love of Messiah today. Be the sweet aroma of God to those around you. We are the fragrance of the Messiah!

Kneeling At His Feet,

Maiden Princess 

"Love is the cologne of Christ. You can't get close to Him without catching its overwhelming fragrance. Love is the scent of Christ's followers, too. And it's the fragrance of love that we, as Christ's followers, are personally responsible to drench ourselves in. Take off the cologne cap and just dump it. The heavier the aroma, the more of Jesus this world will understand and know." ~Eric Ludy   (A quote from the book “When God Writes Your Love Story” by Eric and Leslie Ludy)

·         Quote used by permission from Mardi’s blog (www.iamadaughteroftheking.blogspot.com )

Battle-Weary Soldiers

“Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.” Galatians 6:9

        I look around at most of the teenagers and young adults I know and they seem weary, dry, and defeated.  So many I know have walked away from their faith or are struggling in it!  Why does the world have such a pull? Why can we not seem to be victorious? We were meant to be victorious in Jesus Christ.  Through Him we have been given power to defeat the enemy, so why do we constantly find ourselves in retreat? “You are from God, little children, and have overcome them, because greater is He that is in you than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4 We were never meant to fear evil, but to overcome it!  Why are we struggling so?

          Part of the reason I think we, a body of young believers, are being beaten down so easily is because we don’t go to each other, openly and honestly, and ask for prayer and encouragement. We are so prideful and we don’t want others to think we struggle.  Pride is from Satan and can easily destroy us. We have to guard our hearts against pride and arrogance because it builds up barriers that are not easily taken down. It will easily destroy your relationships with people and, if allowed to continue, possibly your relationship with God. We must be willing to be honest with one another and support one another in these trying times.  We need to become true brothers and sisters, but we can’t be there, if you won’t let us.

          Secondly, I think the other reason for so much defeat in  our spiritual lives lately is the fact that we allow ourselves to be defeated.  Listen to this for a minute. Sin has NO POWER OVER YOU, YOU ARE FREE.  Yet when you are free, you are free to choose whether or not to be a slave to righteousness or to your sinful nature. (“But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin  you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching  to which you were committed, and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. So now, present your members as salves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification.” Romans 6:17-18&19b)  Sin only has the power over you that you allow it have! People! We have the victory, we just have to claim it and walk in it!  We have to lay everything at His feet and walk by faith, knowing that HE is faithful and trustworthy. We ARE fighting a battle, but we do not need to retreat! The battle is the LORD’s!!! When we follow in His steps, His instructions, and follow Him into battle, we will NOT BE DEFEATED! 

          I was laying bed last night thinking these things over in my mind, I was thinking about the lack of Spiritual victory in my own life.  I decided that I was tired of being less than I could be, I was tired of my own apathy and fear in battle, I was tired of losing and being defeated!  I am tired of living a second-rate life for God. What kind of example am I if I say that I am free from sin and yet, in my life, I am entangled and shot down, daily? This battle is not for the faint-hearted or half-hearted. It is for those who will courageously go out and fight with all the strength they possess. And the reason we can have courage is because we know that though they press us on every side, we will stand firm; though they advance, we advance as well; though they may have the upper hand for a moment, we will have the victory! Hallelujah!!! Take heart my fellow warriors, we were not destined for defeat, but for power in the name of the LORD! Not because of our own power, but because of He is with us. “Oh give us help against the adversary, for deliverance by man is in vain. Through God we shall do valiantly, and it is He who treads down our adversaries.” Psalm 108:12-13 

When we seek Him, we shall find Him.  When we obey Him, we shall be blessed. When we love Him we realize how much He loves us.  When we rest in Him, He will renew us.  When we serve Him, we will find freedom.  When we offer our lives to Him, He makes us into new creations.  When we abide in Him, we shall have fruit.  When we stand for Him, together, as one body, we shall fight for Him and shall be victorious in Him! 

This month I am praying that we, as teenagers and young adults, would come together like never before. That our fire would be kindled in a new way and that we would fight together, side by side. Giving our all for Him, and reaching out to strengthen and encourage each other in the midst of the battle.

All who follow Him and fight for Him can be victorious!   Don’t lose heart, the battle has just begun!  Stand with me Brothers and Sisters. Together we will serve the LORD and He shall strengthen us, so that we can strengthen others. Fight the fight, run the race, finish well. Live in VICTORY through the blood of Jesus Christ!

Kneeling At His Feet,

Maiden Princess

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?” Romans 8:31

“Through You we will push back our adversaries; through Your name we will trample down those who rise up against us. For I will not trust in my bow, nor will my sword save me. But You have saved us from our adversaries, and You have put to shame those who hate us. In God we have boasted all day long, and will give thanks to Your name forever.” Psalm 44:5-8

“Then I said to you, ‘Do not be shocked, nor fear them. The LORD your God who goes before You will Himself fight on your behalf, just as He did for you in Egypt before your eyes, and in the wilderness where you saw how the LORD your God carried you, just as a man carries his son, in all the way which you have walked until you came to this place.’” Deuteronomy 1:29-31      

“For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and of live and discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7

“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”Philippians 4:13

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything to stand firm.” Ephesians 6:10-13

United We Kneel: Tuesday November 3^rd

            This United We Kneel I would like us to pray for strength and encouragement for the body of teenage and young adult believers. It seems like so many are being pulled away by the wiles of the world. The time is short, we need every young person to fight on the front lines, now! We cannot afford to lose any more ground.  We must stand firm in our convictions and fight for what we know to be right. So, I am asking for you to pray for a revival in the hearts of the young people. That we would realize that we are not too young to make a difference, and we would start living like sons and daughters of the King!

 I would also like to ask you to pray that our hearts would not be divided in our goal. That we would not allow sin to sneak in and divide our interests from what is the LORD’s plan. May we not become weary in doing good but stand boldly for the truth and justice so dear to our Father’s heart. May all we do and say reflect His character in us! 

Stand strong brothers and sisters,

Kneeling At His Feet

Maiden Princess

Retraction: United We Kneel-October

            Dear Readers,

I humble myself before you and admit that I wrote something I now see that I don’t agree with.  Because of the comment from my dear friend, Lana, I see that I was wrong in saying that it was “preposterous” for the Islamic people to have a prayer day on Capitol Hill.  I also see that what I said goes against what America stands for, Religious freedom, and liberty and justice for all. I apologize for my attitude.  While I agree that it is sad that they are misguided in their devotion to a false god, as far as I know, this is the only fault.  As I said, I agree that all religions should be treated as equal, although no false god is equal to the One True God!  I apologize for my discriminatory attitude! 

I also agree that at the end of the day, it will not be America’s claim to Christianity that will keep us in right standing with God.  It does not matter even so much if America is a Christian nation, because the mandate from our LORD was to go and make disciples all over the world!  (This was at a time where America didn’t even exist yet!) How arrogant of me to think that if America is Christian the rest of the world will be ok too.  That is not true!  Not only should we be praying for our country but for the whole world. Not only should we be trying to reach our fellow Americans but anyone we come in contact with who needs to know the saving grace of Jesus Christ, no matter race, religion, or nationality.  At the end of the day whether our nation proclaims to be Christian or not, does not determine our productivity in the spreading of the gospel. That depends on the condition of our hearts, not our nation.  While I would like to know that America is a Christian nation with a common goal (to serve God) that should not hinder me in living the life for God that I should.  I just wanted to clear that up and apologize to you all for my lack of knowing where I truly stand on these issues.

Thank you Lana for sharpening me, “as iron sharpens iron”, and for doing so in a loving manner.  While I do not agree with everything you mentioned, I can see a few points in which I was having a non-Christlike attitude.  Thank you for challenging me in that!

Tomorrow is the day!

Kneeling At His Feet,

Maiden Princess

My goodness!  The 3rd of the month always sneaks up on me.  I can hardly believe that it's time for another prayer day already!  We had decided that this month we will pray about abortion.  Now, I have never investigated much into abortion statistics and procedures but I know that it is wrong and it is murder.  The Bible says, "You shall not murder." Exodus 20:13 Plain and simple, in black and white.

The Bible also says, "For You formed my inward parts; you wove me in my Mother's womb. I will give thanks to You for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well." Psalm 139:13-14  God doesn't create junk! Each little life, which begins at conception, is carefully woven together by the skillful hands of the Master Creator. Each life, is destined to bring glory and honor to Him.  Who are we to play God and think we can decide the fate of little lives?  It is utter moral decay in America.  We have no more respect or fear of God. We are in desperate need of prayer and change in America.  Not the change of President Barack Obama but the change of hearts only God can bring. 

If you would like to investigate further you can go to: http://www.abort73.com/end_abortion/a_biblical_mandate_to_do_something_about_abortion  Abort 73 is a Christian-run website giving the cold hard truth about abortion.  I would recommend that you get your parents consent first before taking any further steps though.  While the information is good and true and based on Biblical principles I have not read the whole article through, just skimmed it.  IT IS VERY LONG! 

Another issue I would like to add to our prayer list for Saturday is the fact that on September 25th, 2009 there was a prayer day for Islam at Capitol Hill.  (Go to: www.islamoncapitalhill.com ) I found this information preposterous and I could hardly believe it!  We need to seriously be praying for the direction this nation is going and for us to turn to God. Are we really a Christian nation anymore? I believe soon it will be very evident!

Stay Strong in the LORD; Be Humbled At His Feet,

Kneeling At His Feet

United We Kneel September: Prodigals

       This month we voted that we should pray for the prodigals. It seems like there are so many now, more than ever! Or maybe I am just now learning to notice and pray for those families who are in like pain. It is undescribable the pain that you feel when you have been so close to another human being and without your knowledge you watch them reject everything you stand for and it literally feels like your heart is tearing in two. Guilty thoughts start running through your head like , “Maybe I wasn’t a good enough witness in my life to him/her”, “How could we have been so close and not sense what was really going on?”, “Could I have done something to stop him/her?”.  Living in the past is not an option for Believers, but learning from it certainly is.  Because of this situation with my brother, my family has grown closer and has leaned on each other more than ever.  The pain is lessening but is still very real and very close to our hearts.  It is extremely hard to watch him self-destruct his life and be wrapped up in the lies this world offers.  We can see that all of it is futility and will only come to death and destruction, but all he sees is the pleasure of the moment.  Is anyone else resonating with this?  So let’s get down on our knees and ask for their eyes and hearts to be opened to the truth of God’s Word and the lies they have been believing.  They are the only ones who can choose which path to take in life and no one can make them go the way they want.  The LORD has given us free choice to do what we want so let’s pray that these young men and women who have wandered astray would fall on their faces before Him and WANT to serve Him, because at the end of the day, we all do what we WANT! 

            The Story of the Prodigal Son as told in Luke 15:11-32

“And He said, ‘A man had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.’ So he divided his wealth between them. And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living. Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him to his fields to feed swine. And he would have gladly filled his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him. But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger! I will get up and go to my father and will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men.’’ So he got up and came to his father.  But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and he ran and embraced him and kissed him.  And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.  Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound.’ But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him. But he answered and said, ‘Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you have never given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends; but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.’ And he said to him, ‘Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.’”

Prodigal- A person who has tasted the goodness of God yet turns away

Let us bring these prodigals before the LORD and ask for this year to be the year of the return of the prodigals!  Let us ask boldly before the Throne of grace that the desire of their hearts would turn from selfishness to wanting to please God.  Let’s ask big things of our BIG GOD!

Kneeling At His Feet,

Maiden Princess

Update On My Brother

       Hey Everyone!  First of all, I want to thank you so much for praying for my brother and my parents and I through all of this.  I cannot convey to you the deep hurt of loving someone so much who has chosen to walk away from a relationship with the LORD.  It is terrible and it breaks your heart.  Our hope is in the fact that the LORD has promised that Daniel will come back someday, to Him.  That is the promise we hold to.  We are learning everyday to lean on and cling to Him for everything. He is still living at my Aunt and her family’s house (and btw she is not a Believer). He quit his current job and started back at his old job. The problem being that his old work was a very evil atmosphere, even more so then at the greenhouse where he was previously working.  Please pray for continued protection from evil influences and the pressure to do ungodly things. We are praying and asking the LORD why He allowed my brother to go back to that evil place but even though we can’t fathom it the LORD says that His ways are above our so we are trying to trust Him.  He knows what He’s doing much better than us. Daniel is supposed to be coming over tomorrow night to visit and get his test for school corrected.  Hopefully it’ll be a good visit.  We still maintain contact.  I text him a lot, he rarely talks on the phone unless totally necessary. He is still lying and very sketchy about his personal and social life.  He seems a little more hardened than at first and continually gives us reason to believe he is immensely enjoying his “freedom”.  All we can do is pray that the LORD would reveal his sin to him and that it would cause him to become miserable and realize how much he needs the LORD. Please pray with my family and I that the deepest desire of his heart would turn from pleasing himself to pleasing the LORD.  It is only when he is part of His family that he will be truly happy.  Thank you all again.

Kneeling At His Feet,
Maiden Princess