September 2011

Thursday, September 29

Dear Friends,

Today's Nugget is taken from John chapter 17 where we read the powerful prayer that Jesus prayed before He went to the cross.

This prayer that He so passionately uttered over 2,000 years ago was not just for the disciples with Him then but for us today. Take a look at what Jesus said in verse 20: "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word." If you are counted among the "those who will believe", then do know, my friend, that this prayer was prayed on your behalf! 

I encourage you to take these words and speak them over your family, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family members and whosoever you would want to bless.

"Heavenly Father, I come before you for [insert the name (s)] _______ and I ask:
That they will:
Know You as the only true God (vs. 3).
Glorify You on the earth by completing the work You have give them (vs.4).
Manifest the name of Jesus in their life (vs.6).
Keep Your Word (vs. 6b).
Receive the Word and know the truth (vs.8).
I declare they are God's property for they belong to You, Father (vs. 9b).
Father, keep _______ in Your name (vs. 111b)
I declare that __________ will not be lost to the world (vs. 12).
Father, keep __________ from the evil one (vs 14b).
Sanctify them in Your truth. Your Word is truth (vs. 17).
I pray that ____________ will become perfectly one in You (vs. 23)
And may the love of God be in them as Jesus abides in them (vs. 26)
I pray this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen!

Friend, I encourage you to take this prayer, print it and put in you Bible. Pray it, declare it and speak it over your loved ones and expect to see the Hand of God at work in their lives!

Have a supernaturally blessed Thursday!

Betsy

Tuesday, September 27

Dear Friends,

Distractions! Distractions! Distractions! They are everywhere and seem to be increasing in number and intensity. At least that's what I am experiencing.

The word "distraction" carries these meanings: 
1. a thing that prevents someone from giving full attention to something else,  2. extreme agitation of the mind or emotions; confusion 3. to turn aside, divert.

I don't know about you, but I find myself repeatedly being diverted from my target. This especially happens when I open my computer to send an important email or to look for a piece of important information, when suddenly a window pops up or a message comes in. My emotions get "confused". I become "diverted" and no longer "my full attention" is given to the task I had in mind but I find myself on FaceBook reading things that have nothing to do with me! And 10-2o minutes of my precious and valuable time have come and gone!

What are we to do? I will tell you what I am doing and hope it encourages you to help you take control of your distractions:
1) I am becoming a more conscious person. One who is aware of and responding to his/her surroundings,

2) I am becoming more deliberate and intentional in my daily routine,

3) I am setting deadlines for myself,

4) I am consciously and effortlessly striving to accomplish the task at hand, and

5) I am declaring war against the enemy who would just love to see me distracted from the path of life God has set for me!

Friend, I leave with this scripture:

"Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that's where life starts. Don't talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip. Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you. Look neither right nor left; leave evil in the dust." 
                                   Proverbs 4:23 The Message

Have a supernaturally blessed Tuesday!

Betsy

Thursday, September 22

Dear Friends,

A couple of weeks ago I posted a brief message on Facebook urging the people not to join in with the negativity that is being said about our God-inspired nation, the United States of America, but rather be the ones to stand up by defending her and praying for her. Today I have selected to share with you an excerpt of a book that goes along with my plead to pray rather than to criticize.

The reading comes form Derek Prince's book, Shaping History Through Prayer and Fasting:

"Having been raised in Britain, I am frequently shocked by the way in which Americans habitually speak about the officers of their government. I do not know of any European nation where people would permit themselves to speak about their rulers with the disrespect and cynicism regularly heard in America. The irony of this is that, in an elective democracy, those who continually criticize their rulers are, in effect, criticizing themselves, since it is within their power by the processes of election to change those rulers and to replace them by others. The truth is that Christians are not held responsible by God to  criticize the government, but they are responsible to pray for it, as long they fail to pray, they have no right to criticize." (Derek Prince, in his adult life, became a citizen of the United States)

Like Mr. Prince, I also am proud to say that I became a citizen of this magnificent country in 1986, and I will be forever grateful to God for bringing me here!

Friends, let's go from criticizing to praying--it will have a more positive and powerful impact.

"I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and for all that are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God..." I Timothy 2:1-3a

Have a supernaturally blessed Thursday!

Betsy

Tuesday, September 20

Dear Friends,

Today's Nugget is intended to motivate you for the days ahead. To inspire you to have an amazing and productive week and to motivate you to finish the last trimester of 2011 strong!

I have chosen three scriptures from the Message Bible, that I believe, will inspire you. Print them out and place them where you can read them regularly.  Let the Word sink into your heart until it becomes part of you to the point that you will naturally walk It and live It out effortlessly. 

"Let's take a good look at the way we're living and reorder our lives under God." Lamentations 3:40

"Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don't drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups."  
II Corinthians 13:5

"Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given and then sink yourself into that. Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself with others. You must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your life." Galatians 6:4

Friends, remember that having regular God-check-ups will always keep you on the right track and with a right heart attitude!

Have a productive Tuesday!

Betsy

Thursday, September 15

Today's Nugget is intended to prompt its readers  to pray for this beloved nation: the United States of America.

Please take a moment to utter this prayer wherever you may find yourself reading today's segment.

"Father, you said in Your Word to make petitions, prayers, and intercessions and to give thanks on behalf of all men and for those who are in positions of authority so that we can live a godly and peaceful life. 

"Father, I come before Your throne of grace to receive mercy and find help for our nation, the United States of America. This nation did not come from men. It came from You. You put the seed of this nation in men's hearts even before they knew. And by rights of creation, this nation belongs to You for surely You have created her. Flood her with Your power for Your arm is not too short to reach every single person.

"Father, You said in Your Word that You will perfect that which concerns us and the spiritual and moral decline of this nation concerns us. This nation has sown many Gospel seeds and sent forth many missionaries to the world. Lord, raise up this nation to the glory of God so the world will know that we are still a beacon of light for the gospel. 

"Lord, may righteousness prevail. Permit the seed of righteousness, from which this nation was born, not to die, but continue to bear fruit for all men, in the name of Jesus. For it is by design that this nation came to be. 

"Revive us again that Your people may rejoice in You. Revive us, give us life and we will call upon You. Restore us,  O Lord God of hosts and cause Your face to shine in pleasure, approval, and favor on us and we shall be saved."
Excerpt from Prayer of Petition by Lynne Hammond, February 2009

Friends, please feel free to pass this on and prompt your colleagues, friends and family to utter this prayer for our beloved nation. And if I may encourage you not to join in with all the negativity that is being said about this God-inspired nation but rather be the one to stand up and defend her and prompt others to pray.

May your Thursday be supernaturally blessed!

Betsy

Tuesday, September 13

Dear Friends!

Today's Nugget opens with a quote that comes from my favorite preacher, one I have listened to for over 30 years and I highly respect. admire and dearly love. It's my darling husband, Kenny. We had the blessing of celebrating our 37th wedding anniversary this past week with three days off to enjoy some time of relaxation and fun!

"The depth of our relationship with God will determine the degree of impact in the lives of our loved ones. The deeper the relationship, the greater the influence will be." Kenneth W. Delgad,o September 2008

The truth behind this quote is monumental when it comes to the family unit. Our greatest impact, whether positive or negative, is being felt by those closest to us: our spouse and our children. It is important we be cognizant of this fact: My influence in my loved ones will have long lasting effects.

Here are a few important relationship-builder points for you to consider:

1) Keep an open channel of communication with your spouse and your children.
2) Tell your spouse and children how much you love them. 
3) Remind them of God's perfect plan for their future.
4) Remember that your children are seeds of greatness and as parents our responsibility is to help unfold that greatness.
5) Get in the habit of defending your seed from over-stimulation by regulating what they hear and see. 
6) Create a safe environment whereby your seed can be nurtured and well developed.
7) Direct your family through prayer and the Word of God. 
8) Form the habit of imparting a verbal blessing on your loved ones by speaking all the good things you want to see them receive from our Heavenly Father. 
9) When you speak the blessing of life over your household believe that God is present in the blessing and that the redemptive power of Jesus Christ is being conveyed and released in that spoken blessing.
10) Keep growing in your personal relationship with God.

Friend, remember that God's Word is the chief building block for having a successful life!

May you be supernaturally blessed this week!

Betsy

Tuesday, September 6

Dear Friends,

This year we have been challenged to set our eyes beyond the ordinary; to set our expectations on that which is above the normal and the average. And to live our lives in the realm of the supernatural: a departing from what is usual or normal (Merriam-Webster Dictionary).

How do you live your life in this realm? What do you to do to help you rise above the normal? 

We can learn from what King David did. He said his hope and expectation came from the Lord (Psalm 62:5). He placed his hope and expectations on God's ability and not his own. 

In Mark chapter 9 we read the account of a father who desperately seeks the help of Jesus to heal his little boy and in his desperation he says, "Have mercy on us, if you can." Jesus responds, "What do you mean, 'If I can'?" And then He added this famous statement" "Anything is possible for the person who believes."

Friend, as the year 2011 quickly advances don't stop believing. Don't stop striving to achieve those goals you set out to accomplish this year. Live your life intentionally and purposefully and make every day count!

Have a supernaturally blessed Tuesday!

Betsy

Tuesday, September 2

Dear Friends,

Today's Nugget is intended to encourage you and remind you of the gargantuan benefit we all have as Christian believers.

"The Lord redeems the lives of His servants, and none of those who take refuge and trust in Him shall be condemned or be held guilty." Ps 34:22

Friend, the Lord is your Redeemer. He has bought you back to Himself.  He restores you back to good opinion. He makes you accepted in spite of your negative qualities. 

Redemption is "The debt against you is not simply cancelled, but is fully paid. Christ's blood or life, which he surrendered for them, (you) is the "ransom" by which the deliverance of his people from the servitude of sin and from its penal consequences is secured. "
Eason's Bible Dictionary

Friend, trust in the Lord, and He shall strengthen you. 'The Lord redeems the souls of His servants: and none of them that trust in Him shall be desolate. (despondent, depressed, downcast, dejected)" John Ball

Have a supernaturally blessed weekend!

Betsy