The song "Let me tell you 'bout my Jesus" is in my heart! 

What a great thought nothing can stand in our way, no battle scars will overtake our lives if we go to Christ continually. 

 Holy Father in heaven, We ask today that you'd deliver us from anything that has an evil influence over us. 

 Personally, Lord, help me put food in it's place, it's just something we need, it's not our comfort when troubled. 

Lord, you've set me free before from this desire so much so that after losing 65 pounds back in the 1990's I've not gained it back. 

Lord, thank you for the peace! 

But Lord you see me now, just "grazing" when I'm not really hungry, I need YOU LORD, more of you and less of my desire for food. 

 Thank you Lord, that You have promised to "deliver me from every evil work and preserve me" for Your kingdom (2 Timothy 4:18). 

 My battle is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, rulers of the dark age and against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12) 

 Praise Your Holy Name! You've put all these enemies under Your feet (Ephesians 1:22), and

 "there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known " 

(Matthew 10:26). 

 LORD, "My times are in Your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me" (Psalm 31:15) 

 "Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name." Psalm 91:4 

Praise, honor and glory for our Holy Father, His Holy Son and The Holy Spirit... 

In Jesus, Amen and Amen 

So when life seems hopeless ask Christ Jesus for help. 

He's alive. 

He's well. 

He's talking to His Father about us. 

He's never too busy. 

He waits to hear from His children. 

May the Lord bless you and keep you; make his face shine upon you and give you peace!

HEAVEN-LIVING on EARTH

In the Garden of Eden, before Adam and Eve sinned, everything was perfect. Their walks with God were full of joy, communication was easy. 

 But after Adam and Eve sinned, God had to “close” the Garden of Eden so to speak. 

No longer would life be easy. 

At that time the first couple on earth began living in a broken world, due to sin. 

Now, we live on earth, that broken earth, but my hope comes alive every time I think of Jesus teaching what and how to pray. (Matthew 6:9-15 NIV). 

The part that touches me deeply is “thy will be done on EARTH as it is in HEAVEN “. 

In heaven there are no problems communicating, no illness, no injustice, no discouragement.

Jesus himself is teaching us to call “heaven living”, down to our “earth- broken living”. 

Do we get this? 

Jesus The Son of God says it’s possible to communicate with Him, ask Father God to bring His will on earth as it is in heaven. 

Are you up today for some “living in heaven” now....make the WORD-FLESH here and now... 

Holy Father, you alone are worthy to be praised! 

Thank you for who you are! 

We join our hearts with you we pray your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 

Help us today to show others how to live as though we are in heaven. Help us to treat others the way we would treat them in heaven. 

Your word guides us:  “treat others the way you want to be treated”. 

Heaven living looks like we Love each other, serve each other. 

Holy Spirit thank you for living in us, may we be a welcoming environment so we can walk by the Spirit, not by the flesh. 

In other words, we walk in Christ, as vessels of reconciliation between people and you, dear Holy Father. 

In Jesus name, by the power of His Resurrection and help of the Holy Spirit, 

Amen 

THANK YOU LORD JESUS ! 

IT'S PERSONAL - IT'S NOT BUSINESS

My mother was the kindest, strongest Christian woman I ever knew.

Yet, as a child, I never heard her pray out loud. 

It wasn't until I married, had our children, did I begin to pray out loud even with my family. 

No doubt she prayed. 

Her life was hard as a child, even though she didn’t complain.

They lived in the country, had no electricity, no running water. 

Raised their food, which was common in those years. 

The first day of school one year the teacher told the class everyone needed to bring a nickel for supplies. 

Even though she was very young, she knew there was no way her parents had the money and she was not about to ask them. 

So as she was walking home in the beautiful weather, she knew who she could tell about her need. She’d talked to the Lord about it; no one else. 

After arriving home, she went under the front porch, her favorite place after school. 

Home was an old shotgun house, high off the ground, making a fun place to relax, after a long day at school. 

The cool, soft dirt trickled through her hands as she played in the shade of the porch. 

Hearing her dad just above her, in the old swing, was comforting. 

She was sure mother was in the house getting a snack ready for him. It was time for a break from the work of the day. 

While swinging, he’d sip cool, ice tea, on hot sunny days, enjoying telling funny stories to entertain everyone. 

Usually, she couldn’t wait to hear more of his funny stories, but not today. 

She didn’t want to tell him about her problem, so she thought it best to play a little longer under the creaky porch swing. She was confident that Jesus was with her. 

Asking Jesus what she should do was important. 

Go to Dad? 

Go to school and tell the teacher they have no money? 

She continues, playing in the soft, white dirt, thinking it over; she sifts the soil through her small hands. 

Suddenly a nickel slips through too! 

Immediately she runs to Papa Long, excited that God had answered her questions! 

She went to school the next day prepared to pay for the supplies needed for the year. Peace.

Hearing her story late in my life, I couldn’t help but wonder why she didn’t share it with us as children. Maybe it’s because she didn’t like drawing attention to herself. 

 Well, she’s in the presence of her Jesus now! 

Years have passed and I’ve often thought of that prayer answer for a small child; it explains so much about the confidence she had in Christ. 

 She was sure of what she hoped for and certain of what she could not see. 

Unlike the old saying “it’s not personal, it’s business”, this walking with Jesus is very personal! 

He longs for us to take time with him, read his word, and listen to him. 

Talk to him. 

It’s called prayer.

Christ Jesus, the Son of God waits for you to get personal with him.

Michelle J. Goff Interviews Jo Gower

 WHO ARE THESE LADIES? Michelle is IRSM Founder, Executive Director, Author, International Speaker, please spend time at her website.  https://www.ironrosesister.com/

Jo Gower, is a work in progress for Jesus, a wife, mother, grandmother, in the season of life now that requires "retreading" rather than "retiring". I love my family with all my heart! Please see my interview by Michelle. 

Michelle:   Jo Gower is one of IRSM’s Prayer Warriors and friends. She is passionate about prayer and hopes to encourage everyone to deepen their relationship with God and one another through prayer.

Jo, please tell us a little about yourself and your family.

In my teenage years I asked the Lord for a husband that would have a heart for God. My prayers began being answered when Hugh and I met, then married in 1972. Before marriage, we agreed that Christ would be the head of our family and the center of our home. Even though we were not perfect in living this principle, it grounded us and gave us a foundation through the good, the bad and the ugly, Ha! It’s called ‘life.’ Though the years if both of us had not matured in Christ, we wouldn’t be married today. We both are ever grateful that God gave us each other to sharpen as iron sharpens iron.

You have been an awesome advocate for prayer at the Downtown Church of Christ and wherever you have lived and served. Why is prayer such an important part of your life?

There is a fundamental principle of spiritual power: to be mightily used by God is totally dependent on how much time we spend with the Lord. Jesus often withdrew to lonely places to pray; to receive what His Father wanted Jesus to be, do and receive in order for Jesus to do His Father’s will here on earth.

What does it mean to be a Prayer Warrior?

We can become a “Prayer Warrior” when we grasp the fact that as Christians we live in a different realm. Reality isn’t happening in the physical world as we see it, but rather in the heavenly realm.

“for our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Eph. 6:12)

As a warrior, we are fighting the spiritual battle not to gain victory, but rather from the place of victory. Jesus already fought for us; the empty grave speaks volumes (1Cor. 15:1-4). We just need to walk with Christ through the victory lane He has provided, which is the path of prayer.

In Ephesians 6:10-23, God provides our armor, but He does not dress us; we have to put on the armor and quickly seal it in prayer, with the help of the Holy Spirit. Victory lane just widened! We are packaging the armor in prayer! We are praying because the victory has already been won.

“...and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” (Ephesians 6:17-18 NIV)

To be a prayer warrior is to “watch and pray” (Luke 21:36).

Is there a Bible verse that has been impactful for you as a Prayer Warrior?

There are many Bible verses, but I’ll hold it to one. Mark 9:14-29, when the disciples could not heal a boy that was possessed by an impure spirit and Jesus healed him. They asked Jesus why they could not heal the boy and Jesus replied: “This kind can come out only by prayer and fasting” (Mark 9:29 NIV).

Is there anyone, like an Iron Rose Sister, who has had a significant impact in your life as a Prayer Warrior? Or someone who has been an example of a Prayer Warrior?

Michelle Goff is the most recent sister to impact my life; at a most crucial time too. Not long after leaving our home in West Monroe, LA moving to Searcy, she invited me to come to an IRSM small group study, “Called to Listen.” This group blessed me in connecting more deeply with God and sisters in Christ. I began to feel more at home in Searcy. Not only did Michelle impact my life, but her mother, Jocelynn Goff, did too. What great women of faith! Thank you for accepting me and pulling me into a great time of “iron sharpening iron.” I look forward to many more experiences with IRSM.

Within my life, several people influenced me in my prayer journey. Too many to list, but Hugh, my husband, and Keith, my brother, have made an enormous difference in my prayer life and my walk with Christ. We ministered together to begin the Calhoun School of Prayer, prayer enrichment seminars and prayer retreats in Calhoun, LA. Out of 30 years of prayer ministry (Acts 6:5), came Keith’s book called “Why God Waits for You to Pray.”

Was there an event or something that strengthened your dedication to prayer?

When we lived in the Kansas City, Missouri, area, Hugh and I went to a Prayer Seminar in Overland Park, Kansas conducted by Albert Lemmons. We had already been studying prayer, but this started us on a deeper commitment to pray. After many years, we were blessed to graduate from a 2-year study of the entire Bible in regard to prayer, “CrossView College of Prayer.”

What is the key to continuing a faithful life of prayer?

Prayer is not trying to twist God's arm to make Him do something. Prayer is living by faith, hanging out with Christ, and receiving what He has already done. Seeing how big God is, how good He is moment by moment, every moment of everyday.  It's an attitude.  Pray and meditate on the scriptures. Spending devotional time with God will allow the Holy  to work in our lives. Joining prayer groups, connecting with other prayer warriors encourages us to stay focused.

What is one of your greatest testimonies as a Prayer Warrior?

In the Kansas City area, we worked for a local church; after a few years, we had to move. So we prayed first for wisdom. Then Hugh mailed out a few resumes. Meanwhile our home sold quickly. What do we do? Store our things, get an apartment and wait for a job or move in a U-Haul truck toward some of the places that were looking for a preacher? After much prayer, we decided to go visit his Mom and wait. There was no way for anyone to contact us personally (no cell phones, no internet or computers in those days). We loaded the truck, headed south.

So I’m saying to the Lord: “Okay so this will be a long drawn out wait! Churches are just too slow!” Then God brought to mind “think about me, “I AM” that sent Abraham with all his belongings on a journey, not knowing where he was going. I told him to leave but didn’t tell him exactly where I AM was sending him.” This gave me comfort during a difficult move.

When we arrived at his mother’s she said, “A man from the Church of Christ in Ferriday, Louisiana, wants you to call him, he’s been trying to contact you.” Hugh called him; next day drove to Ferriday, they hired him. And because we had not been paid the last 2 weeks, they hired us retroactively, so God took care of all our expenses of moving. Now that’s a God-wink!!! God is good! I had peace through the transition time because the great “I AM” brought to my mind that He sent and took care of His servant, Abraham. And would take care of us too. “The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, ...go to the land that I will show you.” Genesis 12:1 (NLT)

Jo, thank you so much for sharing part of your stories and your insights. Thanks for trusting in the I AM, for Praying to the I AM and, also for being an IRSM Prayer Warrior!

Choosing Early???

Seeing the Unseen…choose early…

You’ve probably heard of that book “Seeing the Unseen” by Joe Beam. His story is a great story of “second” chance with family and God. Another great faith story is of Joe Almanza, how he came to Christ when he was in prison. Others that are more widely known are Beth Moore, Joyce Myers, and James Robison. I could name story after story how God has brought many out of the pit they were in, to the grace of God and a changed life.

I’m very thankful for all these wonderful stories of the power of God to rescue from horrible circumstances at a time when a person had no hope. Their life changed and now they are making a difference in the lives of many.

Therefore, I do not want to take away from any of these encouraging people. However, what about these other great stories of deliverance? They often have been dedicated to Christ (not sinless of course) all of their lives. They usually have learned early how to do life; how to choose wisely and never give up their Christian faith.

We all know people like that and they have made an impact on us. My sweet mom and dad were two people I looked up to; they stayed faithful to God and each other throughout their lives. I’m not saying they were perfect but I am saying that they chose to raise my brother and I for the Lord over worldly things. They told me one time, “Well, we didn’t do too well at teaching you at home but we knew that we could always go with you to Bible Class and Church anytime the door was open.” What they didn’t realize is that they were teaching us at home; their love for the Lord, and each other was evident. They set our feet on the path of loving God first, over school, friends, everything. We had family come visit us at times and when it was time to go to church we all got up and went. It was no decision to make – we were there! Our company went with us.

My sister-in-law is another person that I admire; as a young person she made up her mind to follow Christ. She truly has lived it out in her life. I’ve known her since 1971 when she married my brother. She was looking for a Christian man because she was following the Lord not the world. Her life has been a witness to so many. Over the years, she continued steadfast in the Lord, honoring her marriage vows; raised two wonderful children and to this day continues to serve the Church. Through the years she was always there when my Mother and Dad needed her; when her husband and children needed her. Even today, she is influencing her grandchildren for the Lord.

However, you don’t see these stories told very often so I wanted to take this opportunity to tell you about these Christians that have impacted my life. Thank you all! May the Lord continue to be first in our lives!