Day 150 The Devil’s Death Knell

Whoever offers praise glorifies Me. Psalm 50:23

I was intrigued by the title of this devotional by A.J. Russell. "The Devil's Death Knell"

Imagine the sound of a bell rung slowly, associated with solemnity or mourning, used to announce a death or funeral. [The definition of a knell per the Encarta Dictionary]

Then imagine that's what the devil hears when we praise God. He hears the bell slowly reminding him of his death.

The most effective weapon against the evil one is prayer and praise.

I learned this long ago watching my mom live with intense pain. Her back was shattered in an accident when she was sixteen years old.

In an attempt to stabilize her spine, surgery fused her shin bone to her lower back. Eight cesarean section surgeries caused new scars and more pain from adhesions.

The scars on her body resembled a railroad map.

But Mom's life was filled with joy and strong faith that God would get her through the next day. She was a prayer warrior who rarely complained. She loved to harmonize in praise and worship even in the midst of the pain.

Her prayer and praise with a joyful heart was definitely the enemy's death knell.

So my favorite weapon of warfare is also prayer and praise.

What is your weapon of warfare?

God bless your heart with praise today.

Gigi

http://www.gigimurfitt.com/

The theme for this blog post came from the May 30 devotional in the God Calling book by AJ Russell.

Day 142 Command Your Lord

Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. Mark 11:24

When I have prayed about something, and felt the Lord's guidance on how to move forward, there is an assurance in my heart that what I am praying for will come to pass.

As the daughter of the King, I am heir to God as joint heir with Christ in the inheritance of God's plan for my life here on earth and in eternity.

God wants me to ask for my needs as a daughter asks her Father for the desires of her heart. He wants me to appropriate what is rightfully mine.

Sometimes I sit at His door and ask again and again when all He wants me to do is open the door and come in to appropriate what I've asked for.

When I was growing up, our door was always open and many friends walked in and felt right at home. They knew my mom was good for a cup of coffee or a meal or a warm-hearted conversation. Most of our friends didn't even knock before they came in.

That's the way God wants us to come to Him. He reminds us in Scripture that he calls us friend.

What are your needs today? Can you come to Him as a friend and ask for what you desire? Believe that it is His will to give good things to His children.

God Bless your heart with what you need today.

Gigi

http://www.gigimurfitt.com/

The idea for this blog post came from the May 22 entry in God Calling edited by A.J. Russell and published by Barbour Publishing.

Day 136 Pray and Praise

Men ought always to pray, and not to faint. Luke 18:1

Prayer changes things.

I have a very long list of prayer requests.

Right now I'm contending for the healing of an infant boy – Cashy Michael Hyde - recently diagnosed with a brain tumor.

Sometimes it is so hard to see the hurts and challenges in people's lives.

But I've learned over the years that Jesus knows my pain. He was sent to bind up my broken heart.

"Never weary in prayer. When one day man sees how marvelously his prayer has been answered, then he will deeply, so deeply, regret that he prayed so little." (p147 God Calling)

So I plead with God incessantly to answer these prayers for healing, provision, safety, reconciliation, and redemption.

I pray until my prayer merges into praise knowing God will hear my cry.

God bless your heart with prayer that leads to praise.

Gigi

http://www.gigimurfitt.com/

The idea for this blog post came from the May 16 entry in the God Calling Devotional edited by AJ Russell and published by Barbour Publishing.

Day 59 Perfect Work

And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. Mark 1:35

I have to laugh at the timing of this devotional message. This weekend we were away with family and I didn't make enough time in my schedule to sit quietly before the Lord in mediation and prayer.

It was a busy time and I sensed something missing throughout the days.

I've grown so accustomed to those quiet moments with my Jesus that I thirst for them when I choose to move into the business of my day too soon. It's almost like an ache in my heart.

Spending time alone with God rejuvenates my soul and energizes my spirit. This is when God does His perfect work in me. I receive strength and joy in my alone time. It is a deep cleansing breath type of peace that enters my days.

In quietness and prayer I gain wisdom and revelation about the plan God has for me. I have a sharper picture of my life priorities.

Have you ever tried to cut paper or fabric with a dull scissors? It's really hard and the edges are jagged.

When I make time to pray I'm sharpening the tools God has given me and the work He gives me is much easier. I have a sharper picture of my life priorities.

As a writer I love a good pen that flows easily and doesn't leave blobs of ink on my journal page. A good working pen makes my thoughts flow freely on to the paper. It is an important instrument in my toolbox.

A solid prayer life is a tool that makes my days flow smoothly because in that time I give my cares to the Lord so I can walk out my day with joy and peace.

I hope you find a solitary place to pray today.

God Bless Your Heart,

Gigi Murfitt

http://www.gigimurfitt.com/

The idea for this blog post came from the February 28^th devotional in the God Calling book edited by AJ Russell.

I hope to catch up with typing out my blogs from the mornings spent in the devotional over the weekend. I did have the time each day to meditate on each devotional from this book but I didn't spend as much time in prayer. I don't want to make this a "works" issue where I put unnecessary pressure on myself if I miss a day. That's not God's heart. So if I get my thoughts typed up for my blog, then great. If not, no sweat. Grace. Grace. Grace.

Day 58 Spirit Sounds

For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment I shall be whole. Matthew 9:21

I love this verse because it gives me hope for healing. By His stripes I was healed.

The woman in this verse had the issue of blood for twelve long years. There was no break for her. She must have been miserable.

She reached out in faith for a simple touch to Jesus' robe believing in His healing power. She was healed. Not a lot of words. Just a touch.

God's touch has a potent healing power.

My prayer is that you seek His touch and receive healing from your fears, your cares or whatever else ails you.

I pray that the spirit will speak to your situation.

The sound of God's voice comes off the pages of my Bible as I read and pray. Scripture speaks to my situation and helps me understand God's point of view.

In the quietness of my prayer time God speaks. In the sweet sound of worship God heals.

I pray that peace and joy rule in your heart and mind all day long. Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you.

Have a fabulous day – listen for the sound of His voice today – He has something wonderful to say to you.

God Bless Your Heart,

Gigi
http://www.gigimurfitt.com/

The idea for this blog came from the February 27^th devotion in "God Calling" edited by AJ Russell.

February 27^th was the day our niece Katy Goodheart married Brandon Sears. It was a wonderful wedding of a couple who love the Lord with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. This shined all throughout the wedding. Thanks Katy and Brandon for the reminder of the love of Christ poured out over all who seek His face.  God bless your marriage.

Prayer Shawl Blessing

I am enjoying some time at my Aunt Nina's house.

She showed me a shawl that a friend knit for her. It covers the shoulders and has a string to close the sleeves at the wrist.

The poem that came with it is beautiful so I thought I'd blog about it today. J Wrap this around your heart.

Prayer Shawl For You

This shawl was created with the color: AQUA. In many cultures it symbolizes courage, balance, harmony, stability, soothing.

In celebration of the love, hopes, and dreams you bring – a gift.

As you wrap yourself in it, may it be a gentle reminder that…

• You are loved and cherished.
• You are gifted and giving.
• You share the riches of life experience
• You are knit together with the Creator, the one who is with you always and with all those whose lives touch yours.

May this shawl be for you useful…

• For fun
• For love
• For making up
• For making decisions
• For comfort
• For warmth
• For strengthening

As you wrap yourself…

• May the Spirit of mercy, faithfulness and compassion wrap you in all-encompassing love, day by day
• May you find comfort from all that appears too much to bear at this moment
• May you find comfort from all that feels as if it might be the breaking point
• May you find comfort from all that seems to threaten your peace of heart

May this prayer shawl be…

• A shelter for grief
• A shade in sorrow
• A shield in loss

May you be held by the presence of those who love and support you and by the strength of what you hold most dear.

May you be strengthened …

• In your daily comings and goings
• In your beginnings
• In your unfolding memories

Blessings be with you.

May love and blessings flow from your life to touch this world anew.

God Bless Your Heart

Gigi

http://www.gigimurfitt.com/

Day 13 Friends Unseen

"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." 1 Peter 5:7

My heart is heavy today as I pray for the people of Haiti after the devastating earthquake rocked their world. But I am touched that today's devotional reminded me to cast my care upon God.  He does care.

My son Zane's former youth pastor Steve Cecil and the team of people from Beautiful Child ministry left Haiti just hours before the quake on Tuesday.  I am grateful they arrived home safely.

But one of their team members, Chris Sahlman, is still there.  He stayed to help at the orphanage they support.  The orphans are living in a field because their home was destroyed.  But thankfully the kids are okay.  Chris is there being God's hands and feet to continue helping where he can.  I pray for ministering angels - those friends unseen sent by God to help in this time of need.

Please take the time to give where you can in the relief efforts.  Check out this news story for more information: http://www.fox47.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/vid_800.shtml or go to the church's website at http://www.thejourneycommunity.com/ to learn how you can help be that ministering angel and give in whatever way you can.

My friend Karen Kingsbury (http://www.karenkingsbury.com/) asked for prayer today for her adopted son Josh's birth mom who lives in Haiti.  They have not heard from her today.  Please pray that she is okay.  Please also lift up a prayer for Josh as this young teen processes this news of the earthquake.  Karen lists several relief agency websites on her website too.

Things like this are difficult to understand but we must not despair.  We should be a channel of helpfulness in whatever way possible.  Pray. Give. Hope. 

I pray that I will be sharing miracle stories on my blog - even in the midst of the tragedy.  We do not understand.  But we know the One who does.

God Bless Your Heart
Gigi Murfitt
http://www.gigimurfitt.com/

(This year I am blogging through a great devotional book titled "God Calling" by A.J. Russell, published by Barbour Publishing.  I encourage you to pick up a copy and work through each day's message on your own.)

Beautiful Prayer

My friend Violet Skiles posted this on her blog. I want to share it with you.

Enjoy! Oh what a beautiful young voice. Thanks for letting me share.

The Least Likely Candidate

I love to read stories of people who have been used by God. Many of the saints were not likely candidates but God used them mightily. These people give me hope that God can use me because I'm certainly not a likely candidate but I do have a willing heart. My story isn't pretty, but I know God can use it anyway. He can use your story too.

Last night I was blessed by the prayers of my friends in our home group at Marlene and Bill Brubaker's house. One of the ways we encourage each other is a birthday blessing time. The birthday celebrant sits in a chair in the middle of the group and everyone speaks a prayer of encouragement over their life. My birthday is a week from today so I'm going to cherish these words and celebrate all week.

We also discussed how we as the church need to ask God how He can use us to touch a world of people who don't want to listen to our "Christianese". We all agreed that LOVE is the answer. We need to touch those around us with unconditional love. He's called us to do this. Even if we don't feel equipped or wise or powerful. He'll use us because of our love. They will know we are Christians by our love. (I can hear my guitar strumming as I led worship with this song at Anaconda Central High School!) We simply need a willing heart and eyes to see others through the lense of love.

I had a big kiss on the cheek from God last night and again this morning when I focused my quiet time on 1 Corinthians 1:18-31. Many of the words prayed over me at home group gave me hope that God would continue to use me in my writing and speaking. I'd been praying about all the things I could write about and my redemptive story has been resonating in my heart. For years I've wanted to write mine and other people's testimony of God's redeeming love and call it "Your Story, God's Glory".

So when my friend Aleta said she sensed that I would be writing a story of redemption my spirit danced. It was confirmation for something I've been asking God about. How do I share my testimony and help other's see that God redeems even someone like me who has made a lot of dumb decisions in my life? I just do it! And I will tell it in many different forms, one little story or article or devotion or Bible study at a time.

Several other prayers encouraged me to keep studying the Word of God and sharing what I've learned with others. This was one more confirmation since I'm working on a Bible study book proposal for two publishers who are interested in such a book. The Word of God truly is a lamp unto my feet and it lights my every path.

I feel called to help others fall more in love with God through the study of His Word. I wake up hungry for more of the Bible every morning. I've fallen head over heals in love with Jesus simply by studying His Word every day. I love his style. He'll use the least likely servant to do amazing things. He roots for the underdog. I like that too. I want to be more and more like Him.

Let me share this Scripture that jumped out at me today in my quiet time. It was like the icing on the cake after our discussion and prayer time last night. As Beth Moore says, it was a "God Stop".

1 Corinthians 1:18-31 (New International Version)
Christ the Wisdom and Power of God

18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate."
20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.
26 Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.

God chose us - simple people who love Jesus and He will use us mightily when we say "yes". To God be the Glory for every life we change with our love. Let the least likely candidate boast not in our own wisdom or power, but let us boast in the Lord.

I pray you will chew on this Word today. Ask God to speak to you through it. May the Lord Bless your heart today.