Updates - 6/21/2017, Prayer Requests, & More Arsenal Scriptures

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

Psalm 46:1

(KJV)

First of all, I want to PRAISE GOD for hearing and answering the many prayers YOU, dear readers,

have prayed over the past few days for the precious nine year old, little girl who has a mass in her stomach.

At the time I asked for prayer, my family did not want to disclose the identity of the little girl,

as my dear sister, Sharon, (her grandmother), had just undergone major surgery and was suffering from complications, and we did not want to alarm or worry her or add to her physical distress.

Now, that we have GREAT news, I will tell you that the little girl is none other than the one I have referred to here on the blog as "Little Miss", my niece, Kim's daughter, Kyla.

Little Miss Kyla

You may remember this sweet picture I shared with you here in 2012.

Two people SO dear to my heart, my precious Mother and sweet "Little Miss" Kyla.

This picture was taken three weeks (to the day) before Jesus called my dear Mom home to Heaven.

The doctors have determined that the mass in Kyla's stomach is BENIGN.

PRAISE GOD for this wonderful news!!

I have to believe that dear Mom is watching over us all, and the many prayers she prayed for all of us for so many years are still being answered.

Kyla does have an epigastric hernia, and she has to have surgery on July 28th. 

We would surely appreciate your continued prayers that all will go well with her during the operation.

We cannot thank you enough for your faithfulness to pray.

We realize the outcome could have been very different, and we have no words to express how grateful we are for God's mercy!

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Please continue to pray for my dear friend, Priscilla's family, as they walk through these days of grief,

after the tragic and sudden death of her 26 year-old sister-in-law, Megan.

Megan died in a car wreck on her way home from work last week and left behind a husband, Josh, and a precious seven-year old, daughter, Sierra.

Josh, Sierra, and Megan

Sierra and her mommy, Megan

My heart just breaks as Priscilla tells me how little Sierra goes in and lays out her Daddy's clothes for him, and how she is so concerned with the grief of other family members.

She is truly a precious, loving, little girl, who now has no mother to love and care for her.

Dear friends, PLEASE continue to lift up this dear family in prayer.

Megan did not have life insurance, and the family is left with a lot of expenses that must be paid.

If anyone feels led to reach out and bless them in any way,

please contact me privately.

As a side note....

Many of you will remember THE BROWN FAMILY and how prayer requests and updates concerning them and their tragic August 2014 car accident were the main focus of Homespun Devotions for such a long time.

The same dear friend, Priscilla, who just lost her sister-in-law, Megan, is the same person who personally knows the Brown family and who originally notified me of their need for prayer.

Priscilla is one the dearest and truest friends a person could ever have.

She has prayed my family and me through countless trials, afflictions, and distresses,

never, for a moment, turning her back on us or shying away from standing by our side,

regardless the cost.

She is one of the most faithful, dedicated, intercessory prayer warriors I know.

She not only prays for us and others, but I happen to know that she often gives up her daily food and adds fasting to her prayers, never seeing anything she does as a sacrifice or wanting any attention drawn to it.

She was a precious, beloved friend to my dear Mom for many years, 

often calling her to encourage and lift her spirits during times of pain, abandonment, and despair.

She is one of the few people you can call or email anytime, day or night, and you know, without a doubt, you will find someone on the other end of the computer or phone who will drop everything and fall to their knees.

Through all of life's ups, downs, sorrows, and joys, Priscilla is there, she is a treasure, and friends like her are precious and few.

I cannot begin to say how much Kevin, Zachary, our extended family, and I love and appreciate her and her faithful friendship, love, support, encouragement, loyalty, and prayers through the years,

and it is our prayer that God will reach down and comfort her and her dear family now, 

in their time of need.

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I would so appreciate your continued prayers for my dear niece, Kristen,

and her precious unborn baby boy, as the day approaches when they will do a C-section on July 5th.

Kristen's dear, unborn baby boy

We continue to believe with all our hearts that God will bring Kristen and her baby through

and allow both of them to be alive, healthy, and all to be well, in spite of all.

(For those who do not know, Kristen has a blood clot in her lung, has had to be on blood thinners throughout nearly her entire pregnancy, and is suffering from tachycardia.  She will be taken off blood thinning medication on July 4th, the day before the C-section.)

We ask that you will please continue to pray that God will not allow Kristen to go into labor before July 5th, due to the risk of giving birth while on the blood thinner.

I anxiously look forward to the day that I can share an amazing victory report with you, 

telling you how God has answered the many, many prayers you have prayed for so long!!

Jesus said, "According to your faith be it unto you."

Matthew 9:29

My faith says that Kristen and her baby will LIVE,

that they will be in GOOD health, 

and they will both have a HUGE testimony to share for many years to come!

Again, I believe Mom's faithful prayers over us all for so many years are still being heard,

and I feel that she is watching over us all.

More and more, I can see and come to greater appreciate the invaluable worth of a praying mother,

and it makes me want to be ever more diligent to pray over and for our own precious son.

*******************************************************************

Many of you already know about the awful trials that our dear fellow blogger and friend,
Kelly-Anne and her family are facing.
They lost their home and everything in it on June 7th.
It is just heart wrenching to see the devastating pictures and read of the pain and loss in Kelly-Anne's latest blog post HERE.
Dear friends, PLEASE PRAY that Kelly-Anne and her family can find a permanent place to live 
that would accommodate her and her family's needs, along with their beloved pets.
Surely, we know God sees all they have suffered and lost, and He has promised to supply their needs.
It is a complete miracle that Kelly-Anne and all of her family members and their pets were
able to get out in time, and that none of them were harmed.
Eight people died in the fires that swept around their home, including their little 3 year old neighbor whom Kelly-Anne and her family used to babysit.
Oh, it is so sad!
May God have mercy and open the right home for Kelly-Anne and her family in the aftermath of all they have gone through and lost.
Please pray!

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What would we do without Jesus?
To whom would we turn in such times of need and grief and loss?
I am so thankful for the precious Word of God and the comfort it provides.

It is on that note that I leave you with 30 more Scriptures for your Massive Scriptural Arsenal,
along with a song that has encouraged and sustained me through recent trials.

"For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee."

Isaiah 41:13

"...lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

Matthew 28:20

"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

Isaiah 40:31

"Though I walk in the midst of trouble, Thou wilt revive me: Thou shalt stretch forth Thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and Thy right hand shall save me."

Psalm 138:7

"The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life."

Job 33:4

"For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside Thee, what He hath prepared for him that waiteth for Him."

Isaiah 64:4

"For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations."

Psalm 100:5

"Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.

Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands..."

Isaiah 49:15,16

"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."

Galatians 6:9

"But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible."

Matthew 19:26

"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father."

Romans 8:15

"Be still, and know that I am God...:

Psalm 46:10

"Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them."

Mark 11:24

"He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.  He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation."

Psalm 24:4,5

"For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;

the flowers appear on the earth; the time of the 

singing of birds is come..."

Song of Solomon 2:11,12

"And the LORD, He it is that doth go before thee; He will be with thee, He will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed."

Deuteronomy 31:8

"Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear Him.

Psalm 103:13

"And He said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest."

Exodus 33:14

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me."

Psalm 23:4

"It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.

They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness."

Lamentations 3:22,23

"My voice shalt Thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee, and will look up."

Psalm 5:3

"And of His fullness have all we received, and grace for grace."

John 1:16

"Preserve me, O God: for in Thee do I put my trust."

Psalm 16:1

"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."

Romans 8:26

"The LORD God is my strength, and He will make my feet like hinds' feet, and He will make me to walk upon mine high places."

Habakkuk 3:19

"Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert."

Isaiah 43:19

"Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?"

Matthew 6:26

"In the day when I cried Thou answered me, and strengthened me with strength in my soul."

Psalm 138:3

"He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?"

Romans 8:32

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."
Jeremiah 29:11

If video doesn't load, click here.

God bless you and meet any needs you have, my friends.

I love and appreciate each one of you so very much!

Building An Arsenal of Scripture - Part 2 & Update On Kristen & Two New Urgent Prayer Requests

"Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, that made heaven and earth..."
2 Chronicles 2:12
(KJV)

UPDATE ON KRISTEN:
Thank you all SO very much for your continued prayers for my dear niece, Kristen.

Her three doctors have finally come to an agreement on a definite due date, praise God.
This is such a relief to all of us.

They have made the long-dreaded switch in the two medications,
and they have scheduled a C-section for July 5th.
They plan to have her off the blood thinners just one day ahead of surgery,
so if you could please pray that Kristen will not go into labor before the date of the C-section,
we would be most grateful.
Also, if you will, please pray that she will not develop other blood clots while off the medication,
and we are hoping her platelets and levels will be such that she can withstand an epidural to be able to be awake to experience the birth.

Surely, our trust is in the dear Lord, Who made Heaven and earth.

He is the Great Physician.

He is Jehovah Rapha - The God Who heals.

"And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in His sight, and wilt give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: 

for I am the LORD that healeth thee."

Exodus 15:26

We are believing He will show His power through Kristen's situation.

I cannot wait to share the victory report here with so many of you
who have so faithfully prayed her through this awful ordeal.

I do not have words to express how much your prayers and loving support mean to my family and me.

We feel so blessed to have all of you in our lives and to know that so many of you are praying and interceding on behalf of my dear niece and her baby.

God bless each one of you, and may He reward you for your sacrifice and meet any needs you have in your own lives.

*************************************************************

I also have two NEW very urgent requests for prayer.

Today, I received news about a precious nine year old little girl who has a mass in her stomach.
Dear friends, PLEASE pray that God will heal this dear child and not allow the mass to be anything serious.
Needless to say, the family is very concerned and trusting God for good news.
We know God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we can ask or think,
and our eyes are upon HIM and His power to heal.

************************************************************

Last night, I received news that my dear friend, Priscilla's sister-in-law, Megan, was killed in a car wreck yesterday evening on her way home from work.
She was only 26 years old and left behind her husband, Josh, their little 7 year old girl, Sierra, and many other loved ones.
My friend and her family are in complete shock over what has happened,
and the dear little girl, of course, does not understand and is asking so many questions.

 Megan, Josh, and Sierra

7 year old, Sierra, with her Mommy, Megan, last Saturday

I can't even imagine the pain in this little girl's heart.
PLEASE pray for all who grieve over this tragic loss.

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I'd like to share several more Scriptures that God has been giving me to add to my Massive Scriptural Arsenal, in hopes that they will bless you, and you will be able to memorize them 

and add them to your own Arsenal to have on hand, at all times.

Before I do, though, I want to take this space to PRAISE GOD for bringing me through a very

rough and trying time over the course of the past several months.

The enemy has fought so hard to thwart a particularly difficult endeavor that God called me to.

We all know that wherever God is working, and whenever His purpose is being accomplished,

the enemy is not far away, doing his utmost to kill, steal, and destroy everything God is doing.

"And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him."

Zechariah 3:1

"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

"Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices."

2 Corinthians 2:11

Let me just tell you that the spiritual warfare has been intense, and I remember one night, 

when the battle was particularly fierce that I actually told the Lord out loud,

"I am NOT going to do this."

Yes, I am ashamed and sorry to admit it, but it is what it is.
I am not going to sugar-coat the truth or pretend to be someone I am not.

I was SO discouraged, so exhausted, so physically ill,

I honestly did not think I could take it one more second.

There was a very identifiable, palpable correlation between the weighty task at hand and the severe satanic attacks I was experiencing.

There was no doubt that satan was standing at my right hand to resist me.

NO doubt whatsoever.

I knew exactly what he was doing.

But, when you are sick in body, weary in mind, and diminished in spirit,

it is hard to fight.

You reach a point where you have nothing left.

(If you care to read anymore of the not-so-desirable details,

you may want to read this post and/or this post.)

Praise the Lord, even though I was strongly tempted to run away from the battlefield, 

I finally mustered the courage to pick up my Sword and fight.

All glory to Jesus, I fought clear through and finished the exacting assignment He was asking of me.

It is done.

The lessons He taught during this time of severe testing are ever before me,
and I do not think I shall ever forget them.
I hope to share more about what He has shown me concerning spiritual warfare in a future post,
if He wills it to be so.

For now, here are 20 more verses to add to your M.S.A.

"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you,
as though some strange thing happened unto you:  

But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings;
that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy."
I Peter 4:12,13

"Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage:
for thus shall the LORD do to all your enemies against whom ye fight."
Joshua 10:25

"Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong."
I Corinthians 16:13

"...for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon Thee."
2 Chronicles 20:12

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might."
Ephesians 6:10

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
Psalms 46:1

"For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall."
Isaiah 25:4

"Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ."
2 Timothy 2:3

"...there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few."
I Samuel 14:6

"The LORD your God which goeth before you, He shall fight for you..."
Deuteronomy 1:30

"They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him."
Psalm 126:5,6

"The LORD said, Verily it shall be well with thy remnant; verily I will cause the enemy to entreat thee well in the time of evil and in the time of affliction."

Jeremiah 15:11

"Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days."
Ecclesiastes 11:1

"For the LORD will not forsake his people for His great name's sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you His people."

I Samuel 12:22

"And My people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places..."

Isaiah 32:18

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
Philippians 4:13

"Yea, the Almighty shall be thy defense, and thou shalt have plenty of silver."
Job 22:25

"The God of heaven, He will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build..."
Nehemiah 2:20

"Incline your ear, and come unto Me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David."
Isaiah 55:3

"The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe."
Proverbs 18:10

God bless you, dear readers!
I love and appreciate each one of you from the bottom of my heart.

This song is my testimony tonight.
I cannot praise God enough for delivering me, once again.
PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME!!!!!

May He soon send deliverance to all of you who are suffering and in battles of your own.

If video doesn't load, click here.

Update on Kristen - PLEASE PRAY!!

"And He spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint..."
Luke 18:1
(KJV)

First of all, I want to say how very much I appreciate ALL of you, dear friends.

Your prayers, support, dear comments, and kindness are gifts that mean more to me than I know how to express.

God has really, really helped me.

I know you have played a huge part in that, because I have felt the weight of your many prayers.

God has answered in so many ways, and I cannot thank Him enough.

I hope to share some of the spiritual warfare lessons

God has been teaching me while going through such fiery trials.

He is giving me lots of precious Scriptures to add to the Massive Scriptural Arsenal,

and I want to share them with you as soon as I can.

Thank you for all of the wonderful verses you shared here on the blog.

Oh, was I ever blessed!

God's Word is ALIVE, and it can quicken even the saddest of hearts and breathe new life back in to places that are broken and distressed.

It reminds me of these words penned by Fanny Crosby,

"Down in the human heart, crushed by the tempter,

Feelings lie buried that grace can restore;

Touched by a loving heart, wakened by kindness,

Chords that were broken will vibrate once more."

(From her song, "Rescue the Perishing".)

If video doesn't load, click here.

I come to you tonight with yet another plea for earnest prayer for my dear niece, Kristen.

Her time of delivery is drawing very near, and there is much concern over the outcome.

She is still on the blood thinning medication, due to the blood clot being in her lung, 

and there is great risk to both her and the baby for her to go into labor while on the medicine.

Yet, there seems to be no other choice.

There is still confusion as to her exact due date, which makes this even more complicated,

because she needs to be off her current medicine and switched to another one for a certain span of time before giving birth.

Timing is everything, and with them not being able to know a certain due date,

the risk is huge.

I'll tell you the truth, my heart can easily become overwrought with fear when I hear of the comments that are being made by her doctors, as they explain the "what ifs" and gravity of her situation.

But, I must look to the One Who is in ultimate control, and Who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we can ask or think.  (Ephesians 3:20)

Please, PLEASE pray.

I know so many of you are already faithfully doing that, and I just have no words to tell you how much my family and I appreciate it.

We will all be so glad when this is all over, and we are just trusting GOD for a wonderful outcome, 

both for Kristen and for her precious baby boy.

I can't thank you enough for helping to lift them regularly to the Father in prayer.

I want you to know that I am praying for so many of you and your requests, also,

as the dear Lord brings you to mind and reminds me of your needs.

"Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."

Galatians 6:2

What a dear blessing that we can bear one another's burdens and fulfill the law of our dear Lord!

I SO look forward to posting a victory report filled with praises to God for the amazing miracle He has performed for Kristen and her baby!

In Matthew 9:29, Jesus said, "According to your faith be it unto you."

My faith is believing that God will spare Kristen's and her baby's lives to a ripe, old age in good health, in Jesus' name.

May He do the same for each of you dear readers, too, regardless what you are facing in your lives.

"As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, 

Be not afraid, only believe."

Mark 5:36

"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever."

Hebrews 13:8