PROMISES FOR OUR CHILDREN…WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH THEM?

Amidst wars and rumors of wars, the fear that is being disseminated through the media, ISIS, Ebola, marshal law, economic collapse and the upcoming elections, in my heart I found myself pondering the question…and what of the single mother?
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Then one day, I stumbled upon a promise in Jeremiah 49 that caused me to “be still, and know that He is God.” In Jeremiah 49, God Almighty declares the destruction He will bring to Edom (Esau). He declares that Edom will become an utter wasteland. In the midst of a prophecy predicting a most horrifying destruction that was to come upon Edom, in one of the most depressing books of the Bible, God declares this promise…

“Leave your fatherless children. I will keep them alive; and let your widows trust in me.” ~Jeremiah 49:11

As I considered these words, I began feeling God’ heart, His thoughts and His emotions towards the widow and the orphan, towards me and my sons personally. His love for us is so other than that He charges Himself with being the One who will look after and take care of these women and children who will soon be left without a husband, without a “redeemer” in the natural. As I meditated this word, my heart began to connect with and appropriate this promise. I could feel it beginning to settle in my soul like an anchor in deep waters. The trust and confidence that among the midst of the chaos, darkness, and destruction of the world all around us, in this final hour God has not forgotten, nor will He forget, that He is the God of the widow and the fatherless.

These words are spoken from Abba Father, and are an exhortation to us as single mothers to remember just how great the Love of God is towards us, and a reminder to place our confidence in Him, the One whose is Father, Defender, Maker, Liberator, and Leader. He is the Father to the fatherless and, the defender of widows, the maker of a home for those who are alone, the liberator who frees the prisoners, and the leader who leads them to prosper. (Psalm 68:5)

NOW THAT HE HAS GIVEN THE PROMISE WHAT DO I DO WITH IT?

Let’s take this extravagant promise (and any other promises God has given you) from Abba Father and make it our point of departure TODAY! Together let’s pray the promise, directly from God’s Word, believing for ourselves and our children as well as for single moms and their children everywhere.

If you’ve been paying any attention to the “signs in the heavens” through the recent blood moons and the solar eclipses, you may have had a sense in your heart that God was “saying something” through the signs. He is! He is shouting from the heavens: pre-prayer…it’s time to watch and pray!

“There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.” ~Luke 21:25

So what’s stopping me?

We must enter into the place of prayer with wisdom, understanding that hindrances to prayer exist. The enemy will do whatever he can to make you give up. He wants you to be negligent, faint hearted, impatient, and fearful.

However, God uses delays to turn our desire into His desire, and to prove we are worthy. (Proverbs 13:12; Hebrews 11:17) It’s in the moments that we are experiencing the mystery of prayer: delay, denial, and seeming failure, that we must remember the Words of Psalmist:

“Until the time that His word came to pass, the word of the LORD tested him. The king sent and released him….and set him free.” ~Psalm 105:19-20

Abba, I speak into those reading this now the spirit of grace and supplication. We thank You, Holy Spirit, for teaching us how to pray believing, to pray without ceasing UNTIL! I thank You for great grace to take hold of the inheritance of prayer and intercession to raise up memorials of Your supernatural power, answers to prayer, and of promises fulfilled, in Yeshua’s name. Amen.
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By: Viola Jackson

SEASONS OF CHANGE

The cooler weather and the falling of the beautiful leaves is upon us…another season…more changes. Switching out closets, changing the clocks back, preparing for holidays, etc.

Having been a single mom for 12 plus years, and having raised 4 kids to adulthood during that time, I have seen a lot of seasons. I believe God intended them to be a place of hope, yet we can often feel overwhelmed with the required shifting and changes.

Some of you are in a season of:
• adjusting to being newly single.
• being weary of being single.
• seeing break-throughs in amazing ways
• just barely holding on to your faith that He will provide.
• having no grace for the kids

And there are many more scenarios….

Wherever you are today, I want to encourage you to STOP, look back, note the Lord’s provision and mercy, and recount the ways He has met you in whatever you have been doing. Give thanks OUT LOUD and REMEMBER His faithfulness. RECOUNT it…. It’s like pouring water into the garden of your heart.

“Light is sown like seed for the righteous and joy and gladness for the upright in heart” ~Psalm 97:11

I learned this, years ago, when I was severely depressed after a very traumatic betrayal of infidelity from my husband, and the ensuing required public confession in our church. There were days I could hardly function and everything seemed so dark and overwhelming. I was told by a counselor to make a list of 3 things a day that I would accomplish. Then I had to be thankful for them, even if my list of 15 more things wasn’t touched. I have done this ever since and it really helps keep your heart from being overwhelmed! In addition to this, I also had to find something to affirm or be thankful for in my situation. Some days it was as minimal as thanks for that hug, affirming the kindness of one of my family members, and being grateful for someone helping with chores.

I’m leaving you with the words of a song the Lord gave me in 2005:

In this season of change I choose trust Lord
When my way is disrupted and questions remain
Cause my heart and mind to align to the plans You’ve ordained.
In this season of change I choose trust Lord
Fear is laid at Your feet
Your Word says You’ll lead me in right paths
My call from You remains
To worship You and honor You
In all I say and do
Whether Or not I feel you
Just be – and worship You
To worship You and honor You
In all I say and do
No Matter what I see Lord
Just be – and worship You
Guide me through this season of doubt when life’s a mystery
Until I’m past the darkness and my clouded eyes can see
That though invisible Your tangible and oh so very real
Leading me, guiding me, with Your eye on me

Take a moment – whether in the shower, or driving, etc and give thanks to the Father for His provision and care for you! Then recount his goodness and affirm someone in your world.
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Written by: Laurie Morris
http://hismosaic.squarespace.com/

​HIDING UNDER HIS WING

Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me under the shadow of your wings, Psalm 17:8
Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young— a place near your altar, O LORD Almighty, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you. Psalm 84: 3, 4

Most single moms spend their days in a  “survival” “get it done” mode, so a phrase like, “hiding under the shadow of His wing,” may seem foreign, and may even be an unrealistic concept. Just what does it mean anyway?
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When my daughter was little, at bedtime, we would lie next to each other, and while she dosed off, I would often remain next to her to pray a little more, or just to love her, I enjoyed her scent, feeling her breathe. It was in those moments, I was providing her a safe place, a hiding place under the shadow of my wing, praying, hoping, believing she would always know she was safe and secure. My love was wrapping her, securing her in the knowledge that she was a beloved daughter, without realizing it, I was mirroring life in the spirit.

Sometimes, on the long hard days, Holy Spirit will lead me to recall those nights years ago with my daughter, as He reveals to me how the longing of His own heart, to show me His nearness, give me His love and provide safety for me. As I remember those fond and precious moments with her, He tenderly, pulls me close to His heart, allowing me to experience the joy of pausing just “to be” with Him; even if it is at the end of the day.
And as I lay there and feel Him we chat, I cry a little, He forgives, maybe I sing, and I dose off with the knowledge that “He remains,” praying over me, enjoying the fragrance of my prayers, and of our conversation: I find I am hiding under His wing.

He stays…on the “night watch” refreshing me as I sleep and just as I believed for my daughter, He reassures me of my identity in Him and of His unfailing love.

My daughter is not little anymore, and well, cuddle times are rare but unfortunately, long, hard tough days still happen; days when I’ve simply muddled through methodically and systematically in “survival mode” but when I stop and consider; I can feel His love surrounding me I am confident He is strengthening me with might and encouraging me with love. Indeed, He hides me and once again, my ears are opened and I hear Him gently whisper: “I have hidden you under the shadow of my wing; I am your source, I AM your True source. Tomorrow is a new day; there are no mistakes in it. (And even if I do make a mistake, which “unmistakably” I will) smile, I get to hide again for He makes all things new.

Perhaps you can recall precious moments with your own child(ren) those moments when the day pauses, no rushing, no guilt, or pressure, no questions: Did I do it right? a moment when you’re simply  abiding together.

My prayer for you today, my friend, is that as you recall those moments you will know that your love for your child is mirroring the heart of God’s love over you. and that His Spirit will remind you of how He wraps you His name and lavishes His love upon you; whispering to you: “remember I am your refuge your hiding place and you belong“.

May you have many moments “hiding under His wing” celebrating His goodness and faithfulness. May you find your identity, as a most beloved daughter. Under the shadow of His wing, may you know His heart and thoughts towards you; He is good all the time. May you hear His heartbeat as He redeems all things, everything mistake, all of them. Because of His great love, we don’t have to do life on our own or in our own strength. The Promise Keeper keeps you under the shadow of His wing.
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Written By: Selenia Vera
Author of “Go Quickly” and founder of Asher’s Table