There Is Power in the Name

This week's post comes from Dawn at The Most Perfect Gift

Shortly after the New Year began I made a promise to myself. The promise was to intentionally recognize when I begin to feel overwhelmed and to “nip it in the bud”.

I know all too well how the busyness of my daily life can consume me. Before I know it I am being swallowed up into the belly of the beast. I don’t even recognize myself anymore just trying to stay afloat, one busy day running into the next with no time to breathe or rest. I get frustrated, easily annoyed and lack any kind of patience trying to balance work, taking care of the kids, paying the bills, grocery shopping, cooking dinner, cleaning the house, laundry, church, the list becomes endless. Then finally I get enough sense to realize this isn’t right!?! Where is the joy, the peace, the fun?

I know we have all been there. Yet, we think we get a plan in place and things run smoothly for a while, but then life happens. Before we know it, we are caught up in the vicious turmoil once again rolling and rolling more unbalanced and out of control. Just maybe we can grab onto something that may help us stop, hopefully not hurting ourselves or knocking down the ones we love along the way.

So, I began to think, I need a plan. Perhaps a word or a phrase to calm me when life gets overwhelming, but it must be something powerful.

I don’t know about you, the most powerful word I know is in fact, a name. JESUS!

The song “Jesus, Lover of My Soul” by Lindell Cooley comes to mind.

You don't have to know how to pray

All you have to know how to say is Jesus, Jesus

In a shouted voice or a whispered tone

In a crowded room or when you're all alone

Just say Jesus, Jesus

Jesus, how I love the name of Jesus

Every day is the same

Jesus, He's the lover of my soul

Jesus, there's power in the name of Jesus

My life is forever changed because of Jesus,

He's my Savior and my Lord

You can listen to the song on YouTube, Jesus Lover of My Soul.

Call on the name of the Lord! Give Him Praise! Hallelujah! Immediately, joy and peace will enter your soul. You will be filled and refreshed. There is power in the name of Jesus! Are you feeling depressed, lonely, overwhelmed, stressed, hurt? Call on Him today to fill you up and refresh your spirit!

Believe me, it does work! When I begin to feel a little bit overwhelmed I start praising Him. Have you ever just yelled out “Hallelujah” as loud as you can?!!? The stress and worry leaves, bad moods are turned around. You will walk around smiling because you won’t be able to contain the joy, the song that sings within. Isn’t this how we were meant to live? Praising God and being joyful in good times and in bad. All because of the power in the name of Jesus!

Thank you, Jesus. Hallelujah! We praise you Lord for your faithfulness and unfailing love. Thank you for keeping your promise to never leave us nor forsake us. We will praise you and shout out your name. JESUS!
In your wonderful holy name,
Amen

STOP, DROP, AND PRAY

This week's post comes from STARLA ESPINOZA at Keepin It Real

Sometimes it doesn't seem to take much to make me mad.  People who can't drive, (or drive worse than I do).  When things don't go my way, (am I spoiled?).  Having to repeat myself, (by the 3rd time that is). Etc.....and the list goes on.  Thankfully, the Holy Spirit always intervenes within seconds.  Yeah it may take me a minute or 2 (hours that is), to actually listen.  When life throws darts at me, it's time I put up my shield of faith and take some of my own "godly" advice.

STOP (time out, blow the whistle) and ask myself,  "Self, what is really going on? Is it really that serious?  Will it matter in the next 10 years?"  That question is a great way to put things in perspective. I should also put on my helmet of salvation (guard my mind and my hard head) and my breastplate of righteousness (basically act like I have some sense).

DROP it and give it to God ASAP.  I say that I trust Him with every second of my life (at least that's what I tell people). And I really do trust Him so why do I feel the need to be a backseat driver?  He has already proven time and time again that His way is much, much better than mine.  And please whatever I do, don't speak while I'm upset, (nothing good typically comes out).  Keep my mouth shut. I must let it go and keep it movin!

PRAY and then pray again, then pray some more til I get it right.  If I can't seem to utter anything at the time, I could always ask someone to pray for me.  Now Starla that does NOT mean call someone and start complaining about someone else, (girlfriend you know that is gossip).

Oh, and one more thing.  Get my PRAISE on and give God glory for giving me the grace to be able to do all things through Him.

I am a strong woman with thin skin aka sensitive.  Is that an oxymoron?  I don't know but it could be a dangerous combination.  I act like I don't care what people think about me but honestly, what person doesn't care what people think?  I mean we have to care a little if we want to keep our job, and our friends, and--well you get my drift.

Wow.  Have I really told people to do all these things at one time or another?  It was most likely God telling me what to say.  It's great advice and I need to put it to use.

Ya'll pray for me cause you know life is not always a box of chocolates and a bowl of cherries but that sure sounds good to me.