“Even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.”Joel 2:12

First morning of 21 days of Prayer and Fasting starts today.

I listened to the sermon twice yesterday titled, Uphill Habits. I encourage you to take the time to watch it at http://www.churchofthehighlands.com.  Pastor Chris reminds us that we are what we repeatedly do. We form habits and then our habits form us. Everything worth while is uphill.

There is something about giving God our first. Not just the tithes. The first of everything. The first part of our day. The first of your thoughts. He desires to be first in everything. As our Pastor said yesterday, If God is somewhere on your list, but, He is not first, He is not on your list. Or another way of saying it, IF God is not first in your life than He is not in your life. Give God the first and He multiples the rest.

So, this morning I think once again of the power of prayer. Don’t ever underestimate the power of prayer. May we confidently call on the one that sits on the mercy seat of heaven. May we ask for His mighty hand to move on this earth, in whatever situation we face. Pray outside the box. Think outside the box. IF we would only remember the words… BUT GOD to whatever it is that we are praying for today.

Our prayers in someone’s dark hour can move His spirit to light their path. Our prayers for someone who is hurting can usher in His comfort. Our prayers of protection over someone can send His angels to their aid. Our prayers are the evidence of His power at work in our world. One day, on the other side, we will see how our prayers affected and protected many lives while we lived.

May today we return to him with our whole heart. We all know what part of our heart needs returning. Whatever it is. remember God is willing to bless your life in unimaginable ways.

Pastor Chris reminded us yesterday of the first words in the Bible, IN THE BEGINNING GOD…  

May we truly grasp the truth that “God’s promises must drive us to His precepts as our rules and then His precepts must send us back to His promises for strength, for without His grace we can do nothing. ” Matthew Henry

It does not matter what you have done in your past. It does not matter where we are right now, just do a course correction starting today. Return to him with all of your  heart and start to see the generosity of our Lord begin to unfold. For the Lord always keeps his promises and He is gracious in all He does.