The Twelve Days of Christmas Blessings for My Beloved - KINDNESS

KINDNESS

These Twelve Days of Christmas Blessings for My Beloved are a repost from last year.   Today I cannot simply “repost.”  

We are all stunned by the senseless, evil, violence from the events in Connecticut.  Yesterday morning I was so agitated and overwhelmed that I chose to send prayers for PEACE, because the Peace of God is what I needed most.  I wonder now if my angst was not really about my own little life, but perhaps I was sensing the fear and devastation across the country.  We need to pray for peace.  

This morning I read a post written by a Denver pastor, Lauren Sanford, asking the question, “WHY?”  You can read his post here.  

“Conscience, based in primary care and concern for the welfare of others, dies when self-focus leads to lawlessness and lawlessness leads to lovelessness. This opens the door to demonic influence."  Lauren Sanford

And From Galatians 5...  

“But what happens when we live God’s way?  He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard - things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people.  We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.”  (Galatians 5:22-23 The Message) 

“So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives.  Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.”  (Galatians 5:16 NLT)

"My counsel is this:  Live freely, animated and motivated by God’s Spirit.  Then you wont feed the compulsions of selfishness.”  (Galatians 5:16 The Message) 

Selfishness.  We cannot be in relationship and care about others when selfishness is the fruit of our lives?  Self focus is a main cause of divorce, and when your eyes are staring at your naval, you will miss the person God has for you.  Marriage is not just something we desire because it looks fun.  Marriage is vital for the peace and well-being of society!  

My hope and prayer is that we will be filled afresh with the Holy Spirit daily, trusting God so completely that the Fruit of the Spirit is evident, and our navel gazing will be eradicated.  The spiritual gifts we are sending to our beloveds, are transformational!  The powerful presence of God, and the fruit of the Holy Spirit enables all of us to take our eyes off of our own lives, release fear, open our hearts to humanity, and “live freely, animated and motivated by God’s Spirit.”   That kind of freedom is irresistibly attractive!  

Kindness.   The Hebrew word is chrestotes, Strong’s#5544:  Goodness in action, sweetness of disposition, gentleness in dealing with others, benevolence, kindness, affability.  The word describes the ability to act for the welfare of those taxing your patience.  The Holy Spirit removes abrasive qualities from the character of one under His control.  

I want that!   Kindness begins with me.  

On the fifth day of Christmas, we give our True Love ...the gift of Kindness.

Gracious God, you are so kind.  This Christmas, fill our spouse with Your Holy Spirit - so full they fall more deeply in love with You, letting go of fear and the cares of the world.   As they are filled with Your Spirit, give them an extra measure of Kindness, that they will ~

• Exhibit Goodness in action

• Have sweetness of disposition

• Be gentle when dealing with others

• Live a life of benevolence

• Be friendly, approachable and kind to others  

Thank you LORD for Your faithfulness!  Thank You for transforming us more each day, by the renewing of our minds through Your powerful Word.  Thank You for bringing our beloved closer to us every day.  Thank You Holy UPS Man, for Uniting us by the Power of Your Spirit!  

Amen!  

Expecting to be amazed ~

Barbara

© Barbara Nelson – 2012

The Twelve Days of Christmas Blessings for Our Beloved - PEACE

“And SUDDENLY there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 
‘Glory to God in the highest ,
And on earth PEACE, goodwill toward men.’”

Can you even imagine what it would be like to suddenly see a multitude of heavenly host praising God, and declaring peace on earth?  WOW!   After that reality altering experience, the shepherds wisely decided that it might be a good idea to visit baby Jesus.  

PEACE - shalom; Strong’s #7965:  Completeness, wholeness, peace, health, welfare, safety, soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, the absence of agitation of discord.  Shalom comes from the root verb shalam, meaning “to be complete, perfect and full.”  Thus Shalom is much more than the absence of war and conflict; it is the wholeness that the entire human race seeks.  (Note from The Spirit Filled Life Bible.)  

“Behold, on the mountains  

The feet of him who brings good tidings,   

Who proclaims PEACE!”  (Nahum 1:15 NKJV)  

Jesus came to bring Peace; Shalom.  We are to enforce His peace by proclaiming PEACE wherever we go, and today we proclaim PEACE over the one we will marry, or have married.  To help us understand the importance of praying declarative prayers, in agreement with the Word of God, I share with you from the book “The Supernatural Ways of Royalty” by Kim Vallotton.  

“We are partnering with God to bring justice to earth. (PEACE!)  Like Paul we are restoring the knowledge of the one true God.  Like Gideon, we are restoring the supernatural signs of God.  We’re restoring health to people’s bodies, souls and spirits.  We’re restoring relationships and families.  We’re restoring financial prosperity....   

The truth is that Christ defeated and disarmed the enemy once and for all on the Cross (see Col. 2:15).  God has condemned him as guilty and handed over the authority he had usurped from Adam to Jesus Christ, the second Adam.  

OUR JOB as “little Christs” is as deputies who enforce that judgment in every situation we come across.  God created a world where our vote counts and where our agreement with that He’s doing is necessary to release His power into the world.” 

Our Father God, You are so amazing - Wonderful!  Counselor!  PRINCE OF PEACE!  

Thank you for delivering the enormous gift of peace today, to the people You have chosen to join with us in Kingdom marriages. Lord, bless the marriages of the people in our lives with Shalom.  (Add your own prayers to each word of Shalom.)   

We declare over our beloved, our friends, families and over ourselves:  

• Completeness in every area of our lives
• Wholeness
• Peace
• Good health
• Welfare
• Safety
• Soundness
• Tranquility
• Prosperity
• Perfectness
• Wholeness
• Rest
• Harmony
• The absence of agitation or discord  

Lord, "perfect and bring to completeness, all that concerns us."  (Psalm 138:8)    

And I pray that each of us will have the mind of Christ to comprehend the power of our partnership with You LORD of lords, and King of kings.  

AMEN!  

Expecting to be amazed ~

Barbara

© Barbara Nelson – 2012

The Twelve Days of Christmas Blessings for Our Beloved ~ LOVE

The little black purse ~

Yes, I have been offline, and the truth is, I feel a bit like an ostrich with my head buried in the sand.  I really have not felt like praying for marriages lately, so I’ve gone into hiding with the excuse (and some truth) of getting buried in helping my parents move from 4200 sq ft to 1050 sq ft.  

Going through the closets, and looking through all the stuff has been quite a process.  There is a lot of old junk, and a few timeless treasures.  In the chaos of the clutter, I found a small, tired and torn black purse, and I almost sent it to Goodwill without opening it first. Inside was not $100 bill, but something far more valuable.  Inside and subtle, was a tiny piece of folded Christmas wrapping paper, tape intact, with these words lightly written:   

“To my Darling WifeThe Love of my life!All things are possible through Him who strengthens us ~You can be all that you want to be! Love, David

Do not toss the treasures!  This Christmas remember to hold tightly to the promises God has given to you.  I might not feel like praying, but I do believe that a good marriage is in God’s plan for my life, and yours too.  

Some of you wrestle as I do at Christmas time with the tension between the desires of your heart, and reality.  It is not just about marriage, the pain and struggles are numerous.  BUT GOD.  Christmas is a season of miracles, and we must remember that ALL things ARE possible!  

Would you like to join me in praying 12 days of spiritual blessings for your beloved, known or unknown?  If you are married, this is a great way to bless your spouse before Christmas Day.

If you are not married, there is someone out there waiting for YOU!  They are aching for your gift of love, just as you are longing for them.  We may not have a beloved to lavish fine Christmas gifts upon this year, but God knows that other person, and He wants to be our UPS man.....  

Uniting by the Power of the Spirit.   

On the first day of Christmas, we give our True Love ...the gift of divine Love. 

Father God, together we pray that You surround our spouses (future or current) with Your perfect Love that drives out all fear.   Embrace our beloveds, and give them a new and grater experience of the Love of Christ that passes knowledge - that they are able to comprehend even more, what is the width, and length, and depth, and height of Your Love for them.  
Fill them with Your heartbeat for the world around them; that Your Love will fill them, and overflow to all who come in contact with them.  
We pray and declare that we will all love You, the Lord our God, with ALL of our hearts, with all of our souls, and with all of our minds.   

And I must add a quote from my niece Elizabeth’s blog, Long to Love:   

“'When you pray, expect the immediate activity of God. Perhaps seen, likely unseen.’ Whatever it is in your life that pushes you to fall on your knees, to yearn and plead with God for supernatural intervention, pray for it and know He is moving.  I love the Message version of Romans 8:26-28 – 

'… the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.'”

We can know that God is moving in the life of someone we will embrace in the future - and He is Uniting us by the Power of His Holy Spirit!  

Expecting to be amazed ~

Barbara

© Barbara Nelson – 2012

NOW FAITH

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”  (Hebrews 11:1 NKJV)

“Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.”  (Hebrews 11:1 NLT)

Are you feeling the world around you or inside of you is shifting, and you are about to see some major changes?  I sure do.  It is not just hurricane Sandy, or the election, there is more going on around us.  After reading my lovely niece/cousin’s blog today, Long To Love, (and she understands why we are both niece and cousin), I shared with her the anticipation and excitement I am feeling while in the midst of a week of shifts and closing doors, just in time to begin a new month with a clean slate.  

Take a look at something I read this morning on the Elijah List:

“Who hit the Shift Key?”   

SHIFT: move or cause to move from one place to another, especially over a small distance:
• change the position of one's body
• change the emphasis, direction, or focus of
• change in emphasis, direction, or focus 

The "Shift Key" that will unlock your Kingdom Shift is to "Perceive it, Believe it and Enter it!" 

Not only is my work life changing, and my parents are moving to a lovely retirement community, but one more potential relationship came to its final end.  The door to a relationship that had been painfully closed in August, I allowed to crack open this past month.  I was entertaining the possibility of a dramatic change in the ugly situation, because I know that nothing is impossible with God.  After a sincere, gushing apology from the guy, with a desire to seek help for his issues, I was open to the possibility of trying again with him.   I quickly realized that I cannot be “just friends” with him. so I started praying more aggressively that the door of that potential relationship would clearly open or close - SOON!  (Isaiah 22:22)

And it did!  it closed this week!   Much to the relief of my family and friends.   And I must say, I feel tremendous relief too, and I feel the excitement that God has a much better plan!   

If you have been waiting to see the fulfillment of the desires of your heart, and your desire is to be married to God’s hand picked man (or woman) for you, then you might say that the waiting has been a bit of a trial, and at times you have suffered.  

We need endurance, encouragement, and we need a fresh dose of NOW FAITH!  

“But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings...”

“Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: 

“For yet a little while, And He (your husband!) who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.”

“But we’re not quitters who lose out. Oh, no! We’ll stay with it and survive, trusting all the way.” (Hebrews 10:32, 35-38 NKJV, vs 39 the Message)

Prayer today:  

Thank you Father God for a NEW day, and for encouraging us to look to You for our endurance and strength through the waiting.  We declare today that we perceive the shifting season; we believe that You are moving on our behalf, to bring Kingdom marriages together, and we take the steps into the unknown, out of the boat and onto the water, to enter into Your good and perfect plan for our lives.  

We declare that today we have NOW FAITH, and the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; we have assurance about things we cannot see.

We choose to believe that the men who You have chosen for each of us are coming to us, and they will not be late!   Give them peace, faith and assurance in their wait too. 

We stand on tip toe with anticipation and expectancy, to see the next steps in Your great and perfect plan for our lives.  

And during the wait, we choose to look into Your wonderful face, and the things we do have, rather than on what we perceive as lack in our lives.

Jesus - YOU ROCK!  

Amen ~

Expecting to be amazed ~

Barbara

© Barbara Nelson – 2012

Marriage is a Mission

“The point of marriage isn’t marriage.  

It’s a picture.  

A display.   

A window that you look through to something else.    

A marriage has a mission.”   

“When we go to a wedding, maybe we’re so moved because we want this new couple to succeed.  We intuitively know that their ‘success’ is somehow tied to ours.  Their making of love makes the world a better place to live, a place where there is more love for all of us.  Maybe this is why we always notice great marriages.  When their love is growing, it inspires us.  Their life together gives us life.”  

Rob Bell

If you have been praying one day or many, for Kingdom Marriages, let me encourage you with some great news!  Several people who have prayed with 1 + 1 = One have recently been married or will be walking down the aisle in the next few months.  CONGRATULATIONS to all!   

Last weekend I was privileged to witness the exchanging of vows for Shannon and Scott B (they eloped a month before.)  As I watched and listened to the ceremony, it was clear that the joining of Shannon and Scott was designed by God for His divine purposes.  Not only is their marriage a blessing for each of them individually, but they have a mission to fulfill together that they cannot accomplish apart.  Shannon and Scott pressed through the many obstacles and nay-sayers, and they told the hindering mountains to move, trusting that God had brought them together, for such a time as this.  

Friends and family together blessed the couple, and I was sincerely rejoicing for them and with them.  I must admit to the tension between the joy i felt for this marriage, and the pang in my heart from a break up two months earlier.  Perhaps this is familiar to you too.  I saw two of my dear unmarried friends near the front, and wondered if they were feeling the same tension, because I know they are both hoping and praying for their Kingdom man to show up soon.  We rejoice with those who are rejoicing and celebrating, and we choose to hope and rest in the truth that God is indeed bringing people together in marriages.  

Choose to BELIEVE that our prayers are effectual!  We are moving the mountains that are standing between people who are aching to meet their Kingdom marriage partner! 

Declare and pray....  

Thank you dear LORD for the marriage of Scott and Shannon, and for fresh hope!  Thank you for the recent marriages this past summer, and the weddings coming in the months ahead.  Lord YOU have a much larger purpose in these marriages, and you have given us the desire in our hearts for marriage.  We declare that we delight ourselves in the Lord, and He will give us the desires of our hearts.  We declare that the JOY of the Lord is our strength, and we choose to hope and believe that God is directing our steps each day closer to the person He has chosen for each of us for a powerful marriage.  

One of the scriptures read for Scott and Shannon was Zechariah 4:6-7, so from the blessing of their marriage, we declare the word of God:  

“This is the word of the LORD to (you):  ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My SpiritSays the LORD of hosts.’  
Who are you, O great mountain? 
Before (us) you shall become a plain!
We shout GRACE, GRACE to the mountains hindering marriages!  

AMEN!  and I am ...  

Expecting to be amazed ~

Barbara

© Barbara Nelson – 2012

Running Brides

"I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible."  When Harry Met Sally

I may not know WHO that somebody is, but I can see him, and I have decided to run.  (Not literally, because I gave up running many years ago!)  I am choosing to run to the vision I have for my future, and not get stuck in the present. That run might require some protective gear!  (see Ephesians 6:10-18) 

"My brethren, count it all joy, when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  But let patience have its perfect (mature) work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."  James 1:2

I always thought that verse meant that I should be happy when life is not going as I had hoped, according to MY plan, thanking God for everything, when my emotions are anything but happy.  “Put on a happy face!”  How long can we keep up the false front before it crumbles into a bigger mess?  

While washing dishes one day with the radio on, Dr Jeremiah, who I rarely listen to, was talking about James 1:2, and what I heard captured my attention.  

“COUNT IT” in James 1:2 does not mean that we are thankful for the trial.  It means that we see how God is going to use the trial in our lives, and we can be joyful as we envision the outcome, and thank God for the victory!  

I looked up the word "count it" from James 1:2 in Strong's, and this is what I found:  

1) to lead 

a) to go before

b) to be a leader

1) to rule, command 2) to have authority over 3) a prince, of regal power, governor, viceroy, chief, leading as respects influence, controlling in counsel, overseers or leaders of the churches 4) used of any kind of leader, chief, commander 5) the leader in speech, chief, spokesman 2) to consider, deem, account, think 

So, my interpretation of James 1:2 is that when we go through the storms and various trials, we are to envision the future, the victory, the marriage, and then lead, and take AUTHORITY over the discouragement and darkness that tries to keep us stuck, crushed and ineffective!

Yesterday as I was walking and praying, I imagined myself full of real joy, with a Godly husband, and I thanked God for that which is to come!  I am choosing to walk through the challenges of today with joy, knowing that the future vision is getting closer every day!  

No, I am running! 

"...And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.  We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.  Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame."  Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT

I will leave you with the definition of the word "endures"  from my bible notes:  

Strong's 5278  "To hold one's ground in conflict, bear up against adversity, hold out under stress, stand firm, persevere under pressure, wait calmly and courageously.  It is not passive resignation to fate and mere patience, but the active, energetic resistance to defeat that allows calm and brave endurance.  

May God give you endurance today, and I pray that as you close your eyes, and wait, you will see His vision for your future.  Then run towards that goal with Joy!  

We declare that we are MORE than conquerors in Christ Jesus!   We believe that our desire for marriage is from You, because You say that it is not good for man and woman to be alone.  So we agree with Your plans for our lives, to give us (those of us praying, and the other people called to partner with us in a Kingdom marriage) a future and a hope, to prosper us and not to harm us; to bring powerful people together for powerful marriages.  

We choose to endure these present challenges of life with the Joy of the Lord as our strength.  Thank you LORD for the active, energetic resistance to defeat that allows calm and brave endurance.  We declare that our eyes are on You Jesus; and our hope is in You.  

Let's run!

Amen!

Expecting to be amazed ~

Barbara

© Barbara Nelson – 2012

Rest

Fall is here, it snowed last week, and I finally turned my heat on in the house.  Does the change of seasons and crisp air stir your longing for companionship?  A friend called me last night to say she is getting back on Match.com, and I saw another friend post on Facebook about her new endeavor with online dating.  Perhaps it is the quickly approaching holiday season that elicits that deep ache we’ve been ignoring, and the question, “Am I going to be alone for the holidays?  Again?!”   

The change of seasons actually has me desiring a man to help me with all the "Man-Jobs" around my house!  I need a "Rent-A-Guy"!

Curly Girl Designs

My pastor gave a profound message yesterday about entering God’s REST.  Peter Young said that when we really learn to walk in REST, which is having such a faith in God, that we have the Peace of God that surpasses all understanding, the promises of God will be released to us.  Did you get that?   

Then he said, “When we catch rest, the promises of God will run to us!”  

Walking in rest is a spiritual discipline.  It is choosing to believe that God is going to be faithful when the worries, dread or disappointments haunt your mind.  

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]  29 Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls.  30 For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good—not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne.”  (Matthew 11:28 Amplified)

Declare today ~

Father God, I choose today to trust You with all of my concerns and worries.  I open my hands and release the tight grasp I have on these things:  (finances, relationships, kids, parents.....) and I trust You to work ALL these things out for GOOD, because I love you and I am called according to Your purposes.  I choose to turn to You, to trust You, and You will cause me to rest - You will ease and refresh my soul.  I take Your yoke of rest, and I will learn more of You, Lord God, for you are gentle and humble in heart.   Thank you that as I turn to you, give my worries to you, I will find rest - relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet for my soul!  I receive Your Rest!  And by the way, as I rest, will you send that man who can dance running to me?!  

Amen!

Expecting to be amazed ~

Barbara

© Barbara Nelson – 2012