When storms come: how Satan uses storms to destroy your purpose

April 4, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Yesterday, today and this week, severe thunderstorms are predicted for the mid-west and other states, with lightning, hail, high winds, and the possibility of tornadoes. Storms can be deadly, as the Tri-State Tornado was in March 1925, the worst tornado in US history, killing 625 people, injuring over 2,000 and leaving almost $2 billion in damage.

In our lives we face spiritual storms as well – financial problems, job loss, marriage difficulties, children being sick, business struggles, health issues, relationship tensions, ministry challenges, etc. These storms are all designed to hinder or destroy your purpose and anointing from God.  Join Beth Jones for her podcast, When Storms Come: How Satan Uses Storms to Destroy Your Purpose.

Just click on the link below to download it by mp3.

When Storms Come – Download by mp3

Would you rather read this? Just click on the link below to download the pdf.

When Storms Come – Download pdf

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Prayer for Japan

March 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment

prayer

This past week I received a prayer request from a Christian forum that I am on. Please keep Japan in your prayers!

Posted by: mrsmom910
Thu Mar 17, 2011 6:33 pm (PDT)

This was sent to my sister from a missionary her church supports in Japan. I wanted to share it with all of you

On a personal note: Many of you know one or both of our former exchange students from Japan: Miho and Kaori. I have attempted to contact both of them. Miho responded and is apparently fine (or was four days ago). I have not heard from Kaori. Please pray for these girls and their families.

Please read the letter below and pass it on to anyone who will pray.

In Jesus,
Lynda Coats

Subject: A Time To Pray for Japan

Dear All,

It’s the sixth day after the earthquake and the tsunami that has rocked Japan to her ancient core. The National Police Agency says it has confirmed 3,771 deaths in 12 prefectures and 8,181 people remain unaccounted for in six prefectures. Rescue operations continue in the devastated areas, with 80,000 Self-Defense Forces personnel and police officers mobilized. Thousands of foreigners have been applying for re-entry permits in preparation for evacuation from Japan. Emperor spoke to the nation for the first time yesterday. (This is the first time in the country’s history an emperor has spoken to the public on television.)

Suppose you were allowed the time or the space to word just one prayer for all of Japan right now. How would you pray? This is how John Wright is praying. John is an MK who ministers here in Japan. He is blessed with wonderful heart and a sharp mind. (He’s one of the few people I’ve ever met who can preach and teach with only a Greek New Testament, speaking in Japanese.)

Over the last 24 hours I have had a growing sense of the need to communicate a single priority prayer request for Japan. I would really appreciate it if everyone who receives this message passes it on to their own network of people. We need to unite around this request. Here it is:

Pray that the winds begin to blow eastward and stay low, out of the jet stream–toward the Pacific ocean and away from the land mass of Japan–and continue to blow EAST until the nuclear crisis is over. This is critical. Staying low, and eastward is essential for limiting the damage.

As you know, the four nuclear reactors in Fukushima are all deteriorating, and levels of radioactive emissions are rising. This has the potential to directly affect a large part of the nation, if reactors continue the meltdown process and emissions blow directly over the land. A strong, consistent, prevailing wind to the east would have a profound protective effect on future radioactive emissions. In addition, if the emissions rise to the jet stream, they will be carried as far away as Europe.

In the history of Japan a “divine wind” has played a pivotal role in the survival of the nation several times. Now is the time for Christians to arise, and lay hold of God for a powerful east wind to protect this land, and all the countries that lie to the north, west, and south. The east is the only direction without heavily populated land masses.

As you pray for physical wind, also include the request for the “wind” of the Holy Spirit to blow with great power over this land and create a spiritual revival that will remake Japan from the inside out. That spiritual wind is just as important as the physical wind–these are two aspects of one crucial prayer request for this nation.

Let us all meet at the throne of grace, and agree together for the physical/spiritual wind that will deliver and transform this nation into God’s chosen vessel, prepared to reveal His glory by serving his eternal purpose of making disciples of all the nations, until He comes.

Carlton Walker

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Service For Joanne and Heather tonight at 7 pm MT

March 18, 2011 By Leave a Comment

prayer

Tonight at 7 pm MT, there will be a service for worship and prayer for Joanne Heim and Heather Noce, who suffered strokes and are recovering.

There are several options to see/hear this service. One (the best!) is attending the live service in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. This may be impossible for some of you as it is me. The other options are watching the service via a live web stream, a recorded version which you can view on Saturday afternoon or later, or you can listen to a podcast recorded version.

To find out more information, just click here for Joanne’s little sister Kristen’s post. Please keep this service and  Joanne and Heather in your prayers.

Filed Under: Blog, Faith, prayer Tagged With: ,

Learning from the Jewish holiday of Purim

March 18, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Tomorrow, Friday, March 19, after midnight marks the beginning of Purim, going through March 20. Purim is the most joyous holiday on the Jewish calendar, celebrated to commemorate the events found in the book of Esther when God delivered the Jews from complete destruction, using Queen Esther (a Jew) to save her own people.  Queen Esther is one of my favorite characters in the Bible. She was a great woman of faith, prayer, and courage.

What does Purim have to do with us as Christians?

Although Chrisitans typically don’t celebrate Purim, we can remember how God delivered the Jews – and how He has delivered us from our enemy satan - and celebrate in our hearts with them. So many believers don’t get that God’s heart burns with passion toward Israel, and that  as believers we are intimately connected with Israel.

Ray and I have always celebrated Jewish holidays from a Messianic viewpoint, knowing that we’re connected with the Jews. I have  a special love in my heart for them. Years ago Ray and I went to Israel on a missions/pleasure trip – a huge dream of mine that God made come true.   Also, our Savior Jesus is Jewish, and Jesus celebrated the Jewish holidays. Ray and I have done a Messianic Passover each year, and while we may not go “full out” on the other holidays, we do try to remember them in some way.

 The Jews also gave us our Bible. Gentiles (non-Jews) are tied with the Jews by virtue of God’s covenant to all mankind that He would provide a Messiah(Genesis 3:15). The difference is that the Jews are still waiting for their Messiah, but Christians know the Messiah – Jesus – has already come, and will return soon.

What do Jews do to celebrate Purim?

It’s interesting to study how the Jews celebrate this holiday of Purim, that we can apply in our own lives anytime to demonstrate the love of Christ. There are four “requirements” for Jews to participate:

  • Bible reading and study – They go to a synagogue to listen to the miraculous events of the Megillah (Scroll of Esther) once during the day and once at night. They listen to the entire reading, which usually takes about 25 minutes. During the reading, they use noisemakers called graggers to show their displeasure and “stomp him out” when Haman’s name is mentioned during the reading. We can thank God that Jesus “stomped out” satan’s power on the cross!
  • Charity – They give to at least two needy people.
  • Help others – They prepare two ready-to-eat foods for at least one person.
  • Celebrate life – They sit down to a royal feast.

Purim and prayer

As Christians we know the importance of prayer.  The Jews say the Al Hanissim prayer at Purim: “And [we thank You] for the miracles, for the redemption, for the mighty deeds, for the saving acts, and for the wonders which You have wrought for our ancestors in those days, at this time -”

“In the days of Mordechai and Esther, in Shushan the capital, when the wicked Haman rose up against them, and sought to destroy, slaughter, and annihilate all the Jews, young and old, infants and women, in one day, on the thirteenth day of the twelth month, the month of Adar, and to take their spoil for plunder. But You, in Your abounding mercies, foiled his counsel and frustrated his intention and caused the evil he planned – to recoil on his own head, and they hanged him and his sons upon the gallows.”

We as believers can praise God every day, too, for the miracles and great things He has done in our lives. We can thank God how He has frustrated satan’s intentions of destruction in our lives, destroying him through Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection.

Foods and fun at Purim

Special foods are made, like the traditional hamantashen cookies, made with strawberry or apricot preserves. They have hidden fillings, which relates to the hidden mystery of God in the story.

While Christians have varying beliefs about the use of alcohol, the Jews also drink to celebrate God’s deliverance of His people on this day, “imbibing more than usual” – the only day of the year they are allowed to drink more than is their custom. Whatever your stance is on drinking, their celebration isn’t a drunken party, but it has an atmosphere of great joy. (I could do an entire teaching on the use of alcohol. There are always extremes on both sides of the coin.)

One fun custom of Purim is for children to dress up in costumes and masks, an allusion to the fact that the miracle of Purim was disguised in natural garments. While God isn’t specifically mentioned anywhere in the book of Esther, His Divine Hand is seen clearly behind the scenes. Kids also play games, do crafts, put together puzzles, and sing songs.

How we can pray for the Jews and Israel

As the Jews celebrate Purim, we can pray for their eyes to be opened to the truth of Jesus Christ and for their salvation, and for the continued protection of Israel. We can also read the book of Esther and model her example of faith, courage, and trust in God, no matter what we may face ahead. As we trust in God, we can have confidence He has us in His hands as He did Queen Esther and the Jews.

Queen Esther

Here were Esther’s brave words of faith and love for her people that she spoke when she learned of Haman’s evil plans to kill all the Jews.  It is why God chose her to be the new queen, to be used as a mighty weapon of warfare against the enemy intending to destroy the Jews. May we cultivate that same believing, faith-filled heart of love for God and others.

“”Assemble all the Jews in Susa. Fast for me: Do not eat or drink at all for three entire days. My servants and I will also fast. After that, I will go to the king, even if it is against a royal decree. If I die, I die.” – Esther 4:16, God’s Word Translation

Video of Queen Esther coming before the king, facing possible death because he hadn’t summoned her (One Night With The King movie)

Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Homeschooling, Marriage, prayer, Spiritual Gifts, Travel Tagged With: , ,

Held by God

March 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment

It’s been a week for prayer with Japan’s earthquake and tsunami, and a friend of our family’s dying suddenly in a motorcycle accident (Jim Maher – incredible worship leader with a firey passion for Christ. He played the beautiful song “Famous One” at our daughter Heather’s wedding. You can read a tribute to Jim at this blog post tribute by Tom Stuart.). Just now I got a text that a two-year-old girl with leukemia, who we’d been praying for, just passed away.

With tragic situations like this, it seems that things would come into clearer focus. And yet we’re such flawed human beings. We get distracted from what really matters.

The little frustrations each day drive us crazy. We fight with our spouse, get mad at the driver who’s tailing us, stress out over losing our debit card or cell phone (again!), and fret about the extra pounds on the scale.

Why don’t we just get a grip – knock it off? When are we ever going to grow up?

I’m thankful that God is so patient with me and extends grace as He watches me grow, like we do our own beautiful, precious children and grandchildren. I’m grateful that God holds me securely in His arms.

Please keep the people of Japan, our friend Jim’s family, and the little girl’s family in your prayers.

In memory of those in Japan who have died, our dear friend Jim Maher, and the two year old girl with leukemia, here is a video tribute with the song Held by Natalie Grant:

Video of Held - Natalie Grant

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Praying for Joanne’s complete healing

March 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment

prayer

Today I enjoyed Diane Cunningham’s call, especially when she shared about how connected we are as women today through social media. Some of the best friends I’ve ever made are online. On Twitter one night, I saw that a prayer request went out for Joanne Heim, speaker, author, beloved wife and homeschooling mom of two beautiful girls.  She’d had a major stroke.

I don’t know her and hadn’t read Joanne’s blog before, but I immediately started praying for her. So many people are, and as a result of those prayers, God has done miraculous things. Her rapid progress has amazed family, doctors and medical staff.

You see the button here at my site, “Praying for Joanne.”  I don’t usually put a lot of buttons on my site, but felt led by God to include this one.  It will remind me and others to continue to pray for her. Tonight I went on Joanne’s blog and read her husband Toben’s updates. Yes, all of them. I read every single blog post that he’d written since she had the stroke, tears filling my eyes as he described all Joanne and her family have been through, day by day – the uncertainty, the fears, the victories in Christ. 

I also read many of Joanne’s posts that she had written before the stroke, and was inspired, convicted, challenged. What an incredible woman of God.

I agree in faith for Joanne’s complete and total healing, and will keep praying. I also looked at her sister Kristen’s blog where Kristen has journaled Joanne’s incredible progress with blog posts and beautiful photography.

Let’s keep Joanne and her family lifted up before God.  I encourage you to stop by and visit Joanne’s website for updates. You can also give financially via Paypal or check here, send cards or letters, and spread the word through email, blogs, and social media.

Filed Under: Blog, Faith, prayer Tagged With: , , , ,

3 Strategies to Accelerate Your Growth

March 4, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Growth in 2011

Would you like to be on the fast-track in growth in your intimacy with God, in your life’s relationships, and in your business? Join Beth Jones today for her podcast, 3 Strategies To Accelerate Your Growth in Christ, in Life’s Relationships, and In Business. With insights Beth gleaned from God’s word and personal experiences, and from the teachings of other anointed speakers and writers, Beth shares 3 effective strategies to help you grow and become all that God desires you to be. Just click on the link below to listen, or right click on the link below and save it to your computer to listen to it later.

Download by mp3

What are your thoughts on this podcast? Leave your comments below or email Beth at elizabethdjones@gmail.com.

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Real satisfaction

February 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment

barley

Are you satisfied?

Yesterday our daughter Leah and I spent a little time reading from the book of Ruth Chapter 2, and two verses really stood out to me about this word. I wanted to share this encouragement with you today. 

First, though, just to give you a little background, Ruth’s mother-in-law Naomi had left Israel and gone with her husband Elimelech and their children to Moab because there was a famine in the land. While in Moab, Naomi’s sons had grown and married two Moabite (foreign) women, Orpah and Ruth. They were there about ten years when Naomi’s sons died, too. Naomi heard that the famine was over, and decided to go back home, and her daughters-in-law wanted to go back with her. But Naomi told them to go back to their own people and their own gods. Orpah left, but Ruth still begged to go with her, saying one of the most famous verses in the Bible (Ruth 1:16, NLT):

“But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.”

Naomi and Ruth went back to Bethelehem at the beginning of barley harvest, and because the custom of the Law was to allow the widow or any resident foreigner to gather anywhere she pleased, and landowners weren’t to completely reap the corners of his fields, leaving some of the gleanings for the strangers and the poor, Ruth was able to glean in a field of a family relative, Boaz. 

 Boaz had noticed Ruth. He had heard the news of the kindness she had shown her mother-in-law and how she had come back with her. He spoke a blessing over her, and invited her at mealtime to dip her piece of bread in the vinegar. This next verse is what stood out to me.

“So she sat beside the reapers, and he passed parched grain to her; and she ate and was satisfied, and kept some back.”  Then in verse  18, “So she gleaned in the field until evening, and beat out what she had gleaned, and it was about an ephah of barley. Then she took it up and went into the city, and her mother-in-law saw what she had gleaned. So she brought out and gave to her what she had kept back after she had been satsified.”  (Ruth 1:14, 1:18)

Boaz is called the kinsman-redeemer because he had the right and the responsibility to redeem the forfeited inheritance of the family so that Elimelech’s property remained in the family. Boaz is a representation of Christ, our kinsman-redeemer, who has redeemed us from sin. Boaz’s eye was on Ruth, just as God’s loving eye is always on us.  Boaz fed Ruth the grain, like God gives us His good word to eat each day. Ruth took the parched grain and “was satisfied.” God’s presence, His word, is what truly satisfies us.

We were created with a God-void, an ache and a longing that only God’s love can fulfill.  People try to fill up the void and the emptiness with different things -relationships, food, sugar, drugs or alcohol, tobacco, career success, wealth, sports achievement, etc. But only God satisfies.

Ruth took just what she needed and kept some back, which she then gave to Naomi. God will not only fill us up with His presence and His word, but He will refresh and refill us so much that we will have an overflow in our lives, to give to others. We can share the good news of the gospel, heal the sick, prophecy a word of encouragement, teach the hungry, help the poor.

Are you satisfied or empty?  Come to God today, and let Him fill you up and satisfy you.

***Want to learn more about God’s presence and His word?  Click here for my 7-audio, quiet time series.

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You can still get the Talk a Latte ultimate productivity set!

February 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Beth Jones

Were you able to join us this weekend at Cindy Rushton’s Talk-a-Latte’ retreat? I spoke Saturday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. on Do The Next Thing – about us never operating in presumption, but always asking God what to do, like King David before each battle with Israel’s enemies. If you missed it and would still like to hear my workshop and the other great speakers, you can still grab the set for only $19.95 until Sunday, February 20 at midnight, when the price goes up to $29.95.

OR you can join Cindy’s Talk-a-Latte club, and pay the discounted price of $12.95, and receive this set and monthly audios. You’ll love them.

As usual, this weekend Cindy poured into us her secrets for ultimate productivity. We want to be productive and fruitful for God, not just busy all the time. We want to do and to be all that God has prepared for us for His glory.

What has God told you to do next? Maybe it’s:

  • Write a book, article, or speech
  • Do something you haven’t done before, like using video, getting a coach, doing a webinar or teleseminar
  • Take a pottery class, college class, or a class on marketing or social media
  • Focus on your physical fitness – start an aerobics class, walk, join a gym
  • Forgive someone who has hurt you
  • Start taking time out for yourself – a spa day, a hot bubble bath, a new hairstyle or color, a day at the mall or bookstore, going to Starbucks or Mexican with a girlfriend or alone
  • Work on your marriage – have a weekend get-away at a bed-and-breakfast
  • Go on a missions trip or to that place you’ve always wanted to travel to
  • Start using your spiritual gifts. Find out what they are and begin using them. Fulfill your purpose!

What is the next thing God wants you to do? Leave your comments below.

Filed Under: Blog, Homeschooling, Marriage, prayer, Spiritual Gifts, Travel, Writing Tagged With: , , ,

Deborah: Shining Like The Sun in Our Love for God

February 8, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Kimberly Ehlers

Do you have a favorite hero or heroine in the Bible? Someone who inspires you and that you admire? Maybe Noah, Abraham, Moses, Esther, Mary the mother of Jesus, or Mary Magdalene? One of my favorites is Deborah. Deborah was a judge and prophetess in Israel. She was also a great warrior for God, a woman of bold faith.

You can read more about her in Judges Chapter 4. I shared about Deborah in my recent webinar.

I also wrote an article about Deborah for my dear friend Kimberly Ehlers, and she posted part 1 of a two-part series of this article at her website here. You can read part 2 of the article at her website here.

While you’re there be sure to check out Kimberly’s wonderful bundle product, Messy Motives.

Her Messy Motives Bundle was based on her inspiration from Deborah.  At the end of the battle against Sisera, Deborah sang praise to God.  As Kimberly shared in her bundle, Deborah sang that those who love the LORD shine like the sun at full force. 

Kimberly’s website is to encourage parents who have children with serious and/or chronic health challenges. She is an anointed speaker and writer. Here is an excerpt from Kimberly’s wonderful article, Shining Like The Sun In Full Force – Even In Our Storm:

“Do our songs of praise come from hearts that adore Him?  Do our minds search His Word to find Him?  Do our prayers flow from souls that long for Him?  Do our actions share His love?  When your child is sick, our motives for doing these things easily become murky and not so pure.

When God’s people love Him passionately, great things happen.  Seas are parted.  Slaves are set free.  Evil is conquered.  The sick are healed. 

When God’s people love Him with all that they are, they “shine like the sun at full strength” (Judges 5:31b NKJ).  That was Deborah’s prayer, and it is mine now.  I want to see what life is like when I shine for the Lord, not just a little, but at FULL strength.  I want to find out what it’s like to mother and be a wife glowing with His power.”

Don’t you love it? Kimberly’s description is so beautiful – shining at full strength, glowing with God’s power. That is my prayer, too. May we shine with God’s love this day.

Kimberly’s articles and her products will be such a blessing to you! I encourage you to check out her site today.

Filed Under: Blog, Faith, prayer, Spiritual Gifts Tagged With: , , , ,
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