Tag Archives: Hope

Beyond the Veil: In the Prayer Closet | Embracing an Intimate Relationship with God

Posted on by yolandaberry
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Photo Credit: Pixabay

 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; Phil 4:6

During any time of the day, we have access to communicate with God through prayer. Oftentimes, life gets busy. Life gets hectic. We deal with distractions, and we lose our focus on Biblical practices such as reading the Bible, worshipping and prayer.

We make commitments to watching or participating in the latest sports activities, attending the biggest events and concerts, following the latest trends but do not feel the urgency to dedicate time to the Lord.

The Lord is always available to us. We have a direct connection to Him. We don’t have to worry about drop calls, static or a battery that needs to be charged. We don’t have to go through special protocols to gain His attention. He neither slumbers nor sleeps. Psalm 121:3-4 When we draw closer to the Lord, He reveals Himself to us in many ways.

Call unto me and I will answer thee and show you great and mighty things that you do not know of.

Jer 33:3

Photo Credit: Pixabay

The Roadmap to Tapping into the Realms of the Spirit

The Outer Court

In the Old Testament, the tabernacle in Jerusalem had three specific areas dedicated for prayer.

The outer court was the gathering area where everyone came to offer thanksgiving to God. It was the location where cleansing of sin and confessions took place, however the Israelites were not permitted to go into the inner court. It was off limits to those who were not established as a higher priest.

the tabernacle

Photo Credit: Pixabay

In comparison, the outer court, in our Christian lifestyle, resembles the religious practices, traditions and rituals where the average person sends prayer requests of petition to God, but they do not experience the presence of the Lord. They may believe God but have never experienced the presence and miracles of God. They may have repented for their sins, but they lack connection and relationship with the Lord. They may attend church but it’s only a religious practice. Their prayer life consists of asking God for help or for material things, but their prayer life doesn’t go much further than petition.

The Inner Court

The inner court was accessible to the worshippers who offered sacrifice and burned incense to the Lord. It is where the table, showbread and incense were located. This area was reserved for praising God which drew the Lord closer. It was a sacrificial praise of worship. There was a curtain or veil that hung as a partition which divided the room from the most sacred area of the tabernacle. This area was reserved only for the high priests of Jerusalem.

In relation to the inner court, in our walk with the Lord, we offer praise and thanksgiving. We have a need to seek and develop a deeper relationship with the Lord. You may have a desire to get baptized or develop a desire for fasting to draw closer to the Lord.

The Holy of Holies

The Holy of Holies was the most sacred area of the tabernacle. This was the area where the ark of the covenant was located. On Yom Kippur, which is also known as the Day of Atonement, the high priest would burn incense and offer animal blood sacrifices upon the mercy seat of the ark of the covenant to atone for sins. This area was in the deepest section of the tabernacle. The veil was torn after the resurrection of Jesus which means Jesus has lifted the veil of separation that allows every born-again believer to have access to the presence of God and receive revelation of the realms of His Spirit.

As you continue to seek the Lord in prayer, continue to grow spiritually through studying and reading the Word, living Holy, and applying Biblical principles to every area of your life, you will experience the presence of the Lord and gain access to a higher spiritual realm.

16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
17 If any man defiles the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

1 Corth 3:16-17

Prayer

Lord, Jesus we thank you for your guidance and protection. May our heart and mind be open to your plan, purpose and will for our lives. We diligently seek you with our whole heart and purge us from all temptations of sin. Draw us closer to you. May we hear your voice and walk in your ways in everything we do and every place we go. Let us dance before you in praise for in your presence is fullness of joy. May we lay down in precious rest wrapped in your peace and safety as we sleep. May we walk with wisdom and discernment with the Holy Spirit leading the way. Keep us from all harm and heal us from all sickness and disease. We receive the Blood of Redemption that washes us clean of all infirmities. We rejoice in your healing and wholeness of our mind, body and spirit. We thank you for another day and for the blessings that rest upon our lives.

In Jesus Mighty Name.

Amen and Amen.

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Additional Bible References | Digging Deeper into the Word

Just click the links below for direct access to the scriptures on Bible Gateway.

Matt 6:33

Psalm 100:4

Psalm 100:2

John 4:22-24

Psalm 42:1-2

Matt 6:9-13

Heb 4:16

Matt 6:6-7

2 Chron 3:16-17

Exodus 26:33

Matt 27:50-51

Exodus 27:16

John 14:6

Psalm 91

Psalm 84:10

Psalm 84:2

Exodus 27

Matt 7:7-9

Phil 4:6

Psalm 119:2

1 John 5:14

Jer 29:13-14

Resurrected Power: When Dead Things Come to Life

Posted on by yolandaberry
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tulips, flowers, spring

We have officially entered a new season and new year. We are in a midst of Winter which is always a tough time of year for me. I don’t like cold weather because it cuts me to the bone, plus the memories of shoveling waist high snow drifts during blistery snowstorms while frozen icicles formed on my eyelashes that crunched every time I blinked my eyes.

winter trees snow

Hibernation and the postcard view was the only part I truly enjoyed but overall, winter reminds me of lifeless things. Autumn leaves fall and dry up, trees are bare and naked. The darkness and gloom of a grey skyline in the middle of the day turns jet black before you even leave work. Winter reminds me of the dead things until the transformation of Spring arrives adorning cherry blossoms, violet and tulips with a welcoming, cheerful sunrise and peaceful sunset. It is where everything dead instantly comes back to life once again.

Just like in nature where dead things are rebirthed, there is a resurrection in life. The Lord will breathe on everything that feels lifeless – discouragement, lack of enthusiasm or motivation, weakness, or stagnation. The Lord imparts new life by the breath of His Spirit.

7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. Gen 2:7

22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. John 20:22

The Resurrection of Christ

The birth of Christ and the Resurrection are the most miraculous events that existed. Through birth, a Savior was born and brought peace to the world and through death and the resurrection Jesus saved us from our sins and gave us eternal life.


“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Rom 10:9-13

The Resurrection of the Dead

In Ezekiel, there was a valley of dead bones. God said, “Can these bones live?” Immediately the dry bones came alive. Ezekiel 37

It was through the Power of God, Lazurus was raised from the dead.

40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” 41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 42 And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” 43 Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” 44 And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”

John 11:40-44

It was through the Power of God, that a twelve-year-old girl was raised from the dead.

35 While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further? 36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. 37 And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. 38 And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly. 39 And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. 40 And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.
41 And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. 42 And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment. 43 And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.

Mark 5:35-43

Many people may not believe this is possible but if you do not believe in the Lord resurrecting the dead than you do not believe in Jesus’ resurrection. Your faith is worthless and ineffective, and you are still in your sins. Your hope is lifeless. Life is fruitless and full of vanity.

13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corth 2:13-14

The Resurrection of the Body

It’s difficult to comprehend and grasp spiritual life because we live in an earthly body and everything that we experience is tangible. We have fleshly desires and do not want to control the flesh or abide by the obedience of God. However, when you receive understanding and revelation of the Lord, you will desire to live for God. It is the fruit of building a relationship with Him.

24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Matt 16:24-26

We will one day transcend from a physical world to a spiritual one so while we are still here, we should bury all the dead things in our lives – bad relationships, sour memories, bad habits and attitudes , wrong mindsets, and tainted emotions like bitterness, jealousy, anger, hatred, lust, fear, worry, anxiety, etc. so we can grow and nurture the things that give us life, joy and peace.

Not all flesh is the same. People have one kind of flesh and animals have another, birds and fish have another. There are also heavenly bodies and earthly bodies. There are also celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial differs from that of the terrestrial. There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory. 1 Corth 15:39-40

44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45 And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. 47 The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven. 48 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. 49 And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man. 1 Corth 15:44-49

Our Final Victory

 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.  So, when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 1 Corth 15:44-54

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Additional Bible References

We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Corth 5:8

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10

 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” Rev 21:8

Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19

34 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 35 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? 37 Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” Mark 8:34-38

Navigating the Twist and Turns of Life’s Unpredictable Moments

Posted on by yolandaberry
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A few weeks ago, I was crossing the street and my hairbrush fell out of my bag and landed in the middle of the street. I crossed the street just in case a car was coming and then I went to pick up my brush after the last car passed. When I stooped down to pick it up, I lost my balance and fell backwards and landed straight on my back – staring straight up at the sky. It happened so fast that I didn’t even realize what happened.

It took me a minute to gather my thoughts and then I realized I was lying in the middle of the street and had to get up! I looked to the left and a car was further down directly coming towards me. I had a difficult time getting up and realized I had to get both of my bags that was lying in the street. Fortunately, nothing dropped out of my bags which was overflowing with my personal belongings. Although, I hurt my lower back, it could have ended much worse.

Another mishap I had a few months ago, still has me wondering how it happened. I was waiting for the bus in the rain holding my umbrella. Due to damaging winds, my umbrella had a few broken spokes. As I prepared to close the umbrella to get on the bus, my hair got caught in the metal spoke and I couldn’t loose my hair from the umbrella! I started to laugh nervously even though it wasn’t so funny. I got on the bus with the umbrella open as I was bent down trying to loose my hair. I screamed out, “HELP ME, I’M STUCK!” The passengers on the bus just looked at me while I began to laugh as the umbrella spread wide rolling droplets of water in the aisle. I said, “This could only happen to me!” The driver was smiling as a passenger helped me untangle my hair from the umbrella. My hair was tightly coiled within the spoke of the umbrella and it took a few minutes for the passenger to untangle my hair. It was a moment in time that I will never forget.

sidewalk

The last unexpected incident happened when I was walking down the street. I decided to take a shortcut through the grass. Suddenly, I dropped down so fast I thought I was falling into a sinkhole. I screamed so loud as I fell forward, and my bags flung out from the sides of me. I had fallen into a ditch which was the depth the height of my kneecaps. The ditch was covered with grass. I climbed up out of the ditch and shook the dirt off my pants. I was left feeling astonished and a bit irritated. Although these are little, minor mishaps that could have ended badly, when you encounter unexpected occurrences in life, it can throw you a curve ball.

Life is a journey filled with ups and downs, twist and turns and unexpected incidents. These incidents range from minor inconveniences to life-changing events which can catch us off guard. How you respond to life-altering events affects your well-being.

How to Deal with Unexpected Occurrences and Turn Them into Opportunities for Personal Growth and Resilience

Stay Calm and Assess the Situation

It’s important to remain calm because panic and stress will cloud your judgement. Try to evaluate the situation and determine the resolution of the situation. Clear thinking will help you understand the next steps going forward.

Be still and know that I am God.

Psalm 46:10

Embrace Your Emotions

Allow yourself to feel your emotional response when encountering an unexpected incident. You need time to process your emotions. Don’t judge yourself for your initial reactions.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Phil 4:6-7

Seek Support

Talk with someone you trust who can share a different perspective and offer emotional support and comfort.

A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will ]attain wise counsel.

Prov 1:5

Be Adaptable to Change

Being flexible is so vital to dealing with life-changing events or occurrences. No matter how hard we plan, life can shift in unexpected ways.  You should be pliable and open to shift accordingly to change. Sometimes, you will need to change or adjust your schedule, goals, and expectations. Sometimes, new opportunities are hidden in uncomfortable situations and unexpected setbacks. Although you must be adaptable to change, the Lord does not change. He is our hope in times of difficulties.

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
My God, my [a]strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the [b]horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:2

Psalm 18:2

Develop a Plan

Identify a solution and multiple options by weighing the advantages and disadvantages of your plan. Remember, do not be hard on yourself if you must try several options before finding the right solution. There is a lesson in every decision and it’s a valid part of the personal growth and self-development process.

“Write the vision
And make it plain on tablets,
That he may run who reads it.
3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time;
But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.
Though it tarries, wait for it;
Because it will surely come,
It will not tarry.

Hab 2:2-3

Take Note of the Lessons Learned

Reflect on the experiences and what you’ve learned. These lessons can help you become more resilient and better prepared for uncertainty and unexpected incidents.

Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

1 Peter 5:7-8

Maintain a Healthy Routine

When dealing with overwhelming life occurrences, your health is priority to combatting stress levels. Engage in activities that keep you motivated and relaxed. Take care of your body by eating healthy meals, getting enough rest and scheduling regular exercise into your daily routine. You can never be fully prepared to the unexpected occurrences that life can bring but you can build resilience to face life’s uncertainties.

My son, give attention to my words;
Incline your ear to my sayings.
21 Do not let them depart from your eyes;
Keep them in the midst of your heart;
22 For they are life to those who find them,
And health to all their flesh.

Prov 4:20-22

Do you react or respond to life’s circumstances or unpredictable situations? How you handle your emotions in any given situation can be crucial to the next steps or next season in your life. Let the Lord lead you in wisdom as you take two steps back. Pause for a moment. Exhale and move forward. You got this!

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