This is something my father sent me.  It means a lot to me becuz many, many years ago I had read this in a daily devotional book.  It was something I really needed to get me through a rough spot.  I have since tried to find it again but never have!  Even though I still have that same devotional book.  And yesterday I definitely needed it again...and there it was in my email from my father.  The Lord surely does work in mysterious ways.  I am ever so awe struck by the way He takes care of me when I don't deserve it.

Every time I am asked to pray, I think of the old deacon who always prayed, 'Lord, prop us up on our leanin' side.' After hearing him pray that prayer many times, someone asked him why he prayed that prayer so fervently.

He answered, 'Well sir, you see, it's like this... I got an old barn out back. It's been there a long time; it's withstood a lot of weather; it's gone through a lot of storms, and it's stood for many years.

It's still standing. But one day I noticed it was leaning to one side a bit.

So I went and got some pine poles and propped it up on its leaning side so it wouldn't fall.

Then I got to thinking about that and how much I was like that old barn. I've been around a long time.

I've withstood a lot of life's storms. I've withstood a lot
of bad weather in life, I've withstood a lot of hard times, and I'm still standing too. But I find myself leaning to one side from time to time, so I like to ask the Lord to prop us up on our leaning side, 'cause I figure a lot of us get to leaning at times.

Sometimes we get to leaning toward anger, leaning toward bitterness, leaning toward hatred, leaning toward cussing, leaning toward a lot of things that we shouldn't. So we need to pray, 'Lord, prop us up on our leaning side, so we will stand straight and tall again, to glorify the Lord.''

"And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, where art thou?" ~Genesis 3:9

It is too easy to become lost on our life's journey.  Too many things to distract and lure.  Satan is just waiting for his chance to use our own choices against us.  Before we know it, we have gotten lost in a maze or entangled in a web.

God gives us freedom of choice.  BUT He also expected that we would listen to Him.  He alone can give us the proper guidance. 

Are you REALLY listening or are you just reconciling what your sinful heart desires with what you THINK God is telling you.  Just becuz you feel you want it so badly it is hard to resist does not mean that God wants it for you.  Remember, the road to Heaven is narrow.  The road to Hell is wide and not strewn with stumbling blocks along the way. 

Sit, pray...LISTEN and FOLLOW God's guidance.  It may not be what you think you want.

I have often joked that God always seems to give me the thing I want the least.  I believe He is testing my faith, my faithfulness to Him.  This life is supposed to be the test.  Our 'reward' or 'punishment' comes afterwards...for eternity.

A man's self shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; and with the consequence of his words he must be satisfied.  Death and life are in the power of the tongue.           ~Proverbs 18:20-21

I read this from Joyce Meyer: "God wants good things for your life, but you must cooperate with Him by carefully choosing what you think and speak.  By speaking negative words you are inviting negative experiences, but when you speak positive, faith-filled words, you can expect to receive the goodness of God."

I have had trouble with this in many ways.  1) my husband tells me that by not expecting or  not uttering an expectation of positive/good things to happen then I am inviting the bad to happen.  I always tell him I'm not being negative, just realistic.  But is that true?  2) my thoughts aren't always as good as they should be towards others.  I could use the old excuse that I am just being human to not feel good towards someone I feel has treated me badly OR I see treating someone else unfairly.  One has to do a lot of soul searching and praying to get past that, I do believe.  I can be pretty even tempered and forgiving to a fault --which can lead to some more difficulties that I then consider to BE MY fault. 3) My first reaction to something not so nice is to utter some hurtful things right back.  This has NEVER turned out good for me.  I'm not much good at verbal fighting.  I could be really good at 'getting even' and exacting revenge becuz I am better at the lay-low-surprise-attack...but I usually pray myself out of that...however, I STILL think it.

I had the 'opportunity' to set a good example for my son today.  It had to do with dealing with an out of control young police officer and some false accusations made against my son by another boy.  My son has witnesses on his side that can back up the fact that the other boy is making the whole thing up.  I won't go into details but my son got to see what 'grace under pressure' was all about.  We both prayed before heading over to the police station.  I also instructed my son that no matter how angry he might get, if he feels that by answering questions he is going to lose his cool, take a deep breath, let it out slow and say a quick prayer for grace at the same time.  He got to see me stay in control...yet be firm and make sure I got my point across.  I am not sure how this is all going to turn out.  But I know God is at the wheel.

Fear not; stand still and see the salvation of the Lord which He will work for you today.          ~Exodus 14:13

All of us face times when we feel fear about doing a particular thing.  Perhaps the Lord has prompted you to step out and do something, and the devil is trying to keep you from doing it.  This verse provides a clear and simple solution: Fear not, don't run, and God will help you.

When you are faced with fear, rather than bowing your knee to it you must stand firm, knowing that God will help you.

Even if your knees are shaking, your mouth is dry, and you feel as though you are getting weak just keep saying, "Lord, strengthen me.  This is what You have told me to do, and with Your help I am going to do it because it is YOUR revealed will for me.  I am determined that my life is not going to be ruled by fear but by Your Word."  (~Joyce Meyer)

I know that my life has had a lot of twists and turns...places that caused me a lot of fear and doubt.  And there were times when I felt like I was standing a lone...but the only thing that helped me move forward was knowing that I WASN'T alone.  God was and is my pilar..my safety net...my lantern in the dark.

If I had relied on my feelings and other's perspective and judgments alone, my husband would not be with me today.  It was God that told me what I should do...and becuz I knew it was what God wanted me to do, I did not hesitate and I stood still. 

Life is never easy...but if you face your fears and do as God instructs, life isn't quite so scary after all.

Prayer requests: see         http://sweethourofprayer.blogstream.com

(the following is taken from a Joyce Meyer book)

I pray that your love may abound yet more and more and extend to its fullest development...so that you may surely learn to sense what is vital, and approve and prize what is excellent and of real value.  ~ Phillipians 1:9-10

Paul prayed this prayer for the believers at the church in Phillippi, knowing they could not have powerful, victorious lives unless they learned the real value of loving others.

You too must make a true commitment to walk in love, which may require you to readjust your priorities and change your focus.

You should have your mind renewed to what love really is.  It is not a  feeling you have; it is a decision you make--a decision to treat people the way Jesus would treat them.

A true love walk does not come easily or without personal sacrifice, but the benefits are great.  God will enrich your life like never before.  Loving others is the pathway to true joy.