Where Jesus Is...

"When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD your God...." -Isaiah 43:2b-3a

In the fiery furnace Nebuchadnezzar saw 4 men, not 3. Jesus met Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the fire. And the flames did not burn them...because where Jesus is there is LIFE. 

I hope this song encourages you today, whether life is good or you're feeling the heat of a fiery trial. Jesus is with you. 

Blessings to you my friends.

Where Jesus Is

Wherever Jesus is, there is Peace,

Guarding, keeping, blessing.

Wherever Jesus is, there is Joy,

Cheering, lifting, strengthening.

Wherever Jesus is, there is Love,

Overflowing, renewing, embracing.

Chorus:

Jesus, where you are is where I want to be.

Hold my hand, draw me close to You.

Give me eyes to see you, ears to hear you,

You are everything to me,

Where you are is Life.

Wherever Jesus is, there is Light,

Glowing, illuminating, overcoming.

Wherever Jesus is, there is Truth,

Redeeming, healing, freeing.

Wherever Jesus is, there is Grace,

Cleansing, restoring, transforming.

Chorus:

Jesus, where you are is where I want to be. 

Hold my hand, draw me close to You.

Give me eyes to see you, ears to hear you,

You are everything to me, 

Where you are is Life.

Jesus - Beautiful One, Good Shepherd, Faithful Friend,

Show me more of the wonder of who you are. 

And live your life through me!

(by Joanna K. Harris 2016)

Holy Boldness

The last few weeks have been an intense battle for me - physically and spiritually. When I re-read this post from 2013 today, I felt like it was a good reminder for me again. May God strengthen us with His supernatural strength for each battle, no matter how small or how big.

I'd sure appreciate your prayers too - for protection, healing, and victories! Thank you!


Audacious Prayers 

On the day the LORD gave the Amorites over to Israel, Joshua said to the LORD in the presence of Israel:

“Sun, stand still over Gibeon,
    and you, moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.”

So the sun stood still,
    and the moon stopped,
    till the nation avenged itself on its enemies,

as it is written in the Book of Jashar.

The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day. There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the LORD listened to a man. Surely the LORD was fighting for Israel! -Joshua 10:12-14

As I read this passage recently, I was astounded by Joshua's audacious prayer! What made him even consider uttering such a request? It certainly never would have occurred to me to ask God to hold the sun still. I mean, who thinks like that? 

I believe Joshua's prayer was prompted by the Holy Spirit who was guiding and empowering Joshua. Still, what an amazing display of holy boldness! 

To me it is even more amazing that Joshua's prayer is in the context of a battle. Joshua prayed the sun would stand still so that Israel could keep fighting their enemies and finish the battle. 

I admit that most often my prayers are more related to getting out of the battle - prayers for my own relief, comfort, healing, etc. Occasionally I pray bold prayers for someone else. But when was the last time I prayed boldly for something that would keep me in the battle, keep me taking ground from the enemy?

Can we learn to pray with holy boldness - not just about personal concerns (because yes, God cares about all our needs) - but also about our role in the spiritual war around us?

Can we ask for impossible things that will enable us to fight more effectively and stay in the battle?

And what does that look like for me right now? 

I really don't know. But I'm asking God to show me. I believe He wants us to pray audacious prayers. I believe He's wiling and waiting to answer. 

Perhaps our first prayer must be, 

"Lord, give me holy boldness. Fill me with your courage and power. Teach me how to offer audacious prayers that will harm the enemy. Use my life in this spiritual battle to display your victory wherever I go!" 

Yes Lord, we ask it in Your powerful name! Amen.