GN/CSO Prayer Ministry

One of the best ways to keep our hearts singing is to meditate on the Scriptures. Learning to love God enough to obey Him and follow Him in His Word by our every action and reaction. Is the “Praise that you Raise” something that gives God Glory? Our lives are not about ourselves, getting us rich; granting “us” honor [although the Bible says to give honor where honor is due]; nor is it in instilling glory in us, etc. It is about God getting the Glory that HE deserves in a world dominated by sin and corruption. The only thing that could do this is a holy, pure, sacred, unadulterated, and uncompromising Lifestyle that presents HONOR to the God that we “claim” that we belong to!! And to Jesus Christ who we say that we follow and are the Disciples of!
There are so many wonderful sounds in this world … think about what pleases you to listen to. I am talking about natural sounds that come from nature or I should say God’s creations. A Baby’s laughter; a river’s flowing stream; a rainstorm; anything that God has created for us to enjoy! NOW what sound can YOU make that gives GOD pleasure? Would it be complaining about your life? Or grumbling about how you are treated in this world? Or is it in gossiping about the things that displease you in other people? I THINK NOT!! I can GUARANTEE you that what brings God pleasure, Glory and Honor is none of those things, but it is to bring Him a Praise that is from a THANKFUL heart unto a Holy God! Raise a SONG of Praise!!
In so doing, you not only bring God the Glory due HIM, but you will bring JOY upon yourself by the offering that you just presented unto your Heavenly Father! Do you remember giving your “earthly” Dad a gift that pleased him? Yeah, it’s even better than that!! You have a JOY that fills you to overflowing!! Try “Raising a Praise” from a true heart and you will find a true Joy!!

God Bless You As You Raise A Praise From A True Heart!! SHOUT TO THE LORD!!
~ Rev. Rachinda

What happens when we live so close to God that Christ shines through us? When we do, He brings Gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard — things like affection for others [Love], exuberance about life [JOY], and serenity [Peace] is exhibited in our lives through the Power of the Holy Spirit! We develop a willingness to stick with things [Patience], a sense of compassion in the heart [Kindness], and a conviction that basic Holiness permeates through people [Goodness] when they are open to the decency inside of them. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments [Faithfulness], not needing to force our way in life [Gentleness], but we are able to marshal and direct our energies wisely [Self-Control].
When THIS is achieved in our lives, we WILL know TRUE JOY! You can’t “fake” Joy – but you CAN have it by FAITH! Choosing Joy will lighten the burden of your heart. And the Love that is in our hearts will radiate to others to show them that we live by Faith in Christ who gives us JOY in our journey in life! And those times of JOY should be written down for others to share with us! That is why this month has been titled “January Joyful Journals!” Has your “tree of life” borne the Fruit of JOY? It can! YOU can! Just look on the positive, instead of the negative, side of life by looking unto Jesus [The Word]. Your path will be so much sweeter if you do!! I challenge you to “catch” yourself the next time that you begin to be negative; to STOP and “choose” JOY!

God Bless You As You Bear The Fruit Of JOY!!
~ Rev. Rachinda ~

Great Rejoicing contains more than an inward placid serenity of mind or sensation of comfort; it will show itself in the countenance and conduct of the heart. The chief JOY of a Christian arises from things Spiritual and Heavenly, from their relationship to God. We are all subject to sorrows, personal and domestic, but our duty to God obliges us to remain Faithful even through the times that try us the most. The trial will soon be over, but the Glory, Honour, and Praise will last an eternity.
This should help you in your present afflictions: the short-lived pains of this life are creating for us an Eternal Glory that does not compare to anything we know here. Resolving our hearts to this creates an “inexpressible” and “unspeakable” JOY in an “invisible” and “unfailing” Christ! Where we get our “joy” from determines what kind of Character that we possess. If you enjoy things that are obscene or dirty and immoral, then your Character will be that of someone who is impure in their thinking and sin has a grip on your heart. If you enjoy being cruel and “joy” in taking revenge, then you are of that Character and mindset. But when you show that you can have Joy even when you go through the fire of trials, and treat others with respect and “keep yourself” FROM entertaining the flesh in a way that is distasteful or unholy, then this is the Character that brings Praise, Honor and Glory to Christ as He is revealed through your Character!

God Bless You As You Bring Christ Praise, Honor & Glory Through Your “Pure” Joy At All Times!
~ Rev. Rachinda ~

Every Daughter of Eve inherits insecurities, pain, sorrow and brokenness. But when a Daughter of Eve becomes a Daughter of Christ she inherits the sure hope of happiness and wholeness! The enemy of our soul wants you to think of yourself as a prisoner, a pauper, and a poor-spirited female. The devil just wants you to think about all your woeful circumstances and to wallow in self-pity! But the Daughter of the King of Glory doesn’t live in that kind of gloomy darkness! For the Light of Jesus shines from her very soul and brings her Joy in every area that has been hurt or damaged by past pains! Rejoice, O Daughter, for Christ dwells WITHIN you!
What kind of relationship do you have with Him? Is He ignored throughout the day? Or do you invite Him into your thoughts and fellowship with Him even if you are in a crowded or busy area? He wants to have an intimate place in your heart. That intimacy allows Him to access those places that you keep hidden so that you would not be exposed to further hurt. But it is not His purpose to hurt you or to allow that hurt to remain. He is the Healer of our Body, Spirit and Soul!! If you DO allow Him that access to dwell freely in your life, you WILL be Rejoicing and Singing unto The LORD!

God Bless You As You JOY In His Dwelling In Your Midst!!
~ Rev. Rachinda ~

In today’s Joyful Journal we find that Joy is the opposite of Happiness! How can that be? Because Happiness is the reaction to an action; whereas Joy is an action derived from God! It doesn’t need a basis on which to form an emotional response! For the Joy of The LORD is our strength! Several years ago, I went through experiencing the loss of both my Parents within a period of two days. While I grieved at their passing, there was still a deep-rooted Joy that can only come from The Holy Spirit which my Heavenly Father commissioned to work in my heart and life.
Our praises of God should flow from a heart filled with delight and triumph in God’s attributes, and our relation to Him. Much of the Power of Godliness in the heart consists in making God our chief Joy and solacing ourselves in Him; and our Faith in Christ is described by our Rejoicing in Him. We then give Honour to God when we take pleasure in Him wherever we may be and no matter what we go through; in the daylight hour and upon our night watches.
In Psalm 149:5 it is literally saying “Let the Saints to be Joyful IN ABUNDANCE! Let the Saints be so transported with their JOY in God that they sing aloud upon their beds;”! We must Praise Him in private as well as in the Congregation. When we awake in the night, we should be full of the Praises of God, just as when we wake in the morning and begin a day with Praise ready on our lips!

God Bless You As You Are JOYFUL In Abundance In The “Daylight” & In The “Night” Watches! Both In Your Physical As Well As Your Spiritual Life!
~ Rev. Rachinda ~

Everywhere we go our minds are being invaded by sounds. Especially around the Christmas season! It is a time of joyfulness. But just because Christmas is over and will not be around until the last month of the year, does not mean that the Joy in our hearts should lay dormant for that long. We have been have been washed in the Blood of the Lamb, Jesus has pardoned us of your sins! We have put on the Righteousness of Christ and have been changed through the New Birth and have been Born Again by the Spirit of God through the act of Regeneration – we are the most Blessed People on the face of the earth! Those who KNOW The LORD “shall” be Joyful!
The Joy that you have is not dependent upon how much is in your bank account, or if your cupboards are full to overflowing, or even if all your bills are paid. Nope! Joy comes from KNOWING Christ! And who we are IN Christ! You are blessed because you know the “Joyful Sound.” The Joyful sound of Praise unto God! When you Praise God from a TRUE heart, no matter what you are facing in life, that TRUE Praise will bring a TRUE JOY in your heart!
When I think about the sound of the hammer striking the nails that were driven into the hands and feet of Jesus … I Can’t Stop Praising His Name!
When I think about the sound of Jesus’ last words on the Cross when He shouted, “It is finished” … I Can’t Stop Praising His Name!
When I think about the sound of the Holy Spirit as He entered in the Upper Room on the Day of Pentecost and filled those who were in that room with the Holy Ghost … I Can’t Stop Praising His Name!
The Scripture above says “Blessed are the people who KNOW the joyful sound”.
When I think about sound of “perfect peace” in the midst of my storms … I JUST Can’t Stop Praising His Name!

God Bless You As You Have A “Can’t Stop Praising His Name” Attitude This Year!
~ Rev. Rachinda ~

Well, a New Year is beginning, so we will be journaling on our journey throughout this Joyful & Glorious Year!
Remember that our “HELP” is from The LORD!
Let us begin this year with HOPES of a brighter year and EXPECTATIONS of the miraculous as we receive Gods LOVE and POWER to live a “joyful” and prosperous New Year!
What are your Hopes? What do you Expect from God this year? Let me know in the comments!

God Bless You As You Journal Your Joyful Journey Throughout This Year!
~ Rev. Rachinda ~

Miracle #7 – THE MIRACLE OF THE GIFTS OF THE MAGI
Before we discuss the gifts that was brought and given to the “child” Jesus, let me expound on this one thought first, for it was certainly the “first” gift given that is not viewed as a part of the offerings presented to The LORD Jesus …
Out of the “gifts” mentioned that the Magi; the Three Wise Men; the Three Kings, brought unto Jesus is one that many forget about, it was the gift of “WORSHIP” that they offered unto Christ FIRST, before offering Him there earthly substance.
The Magi are described as “falling down”, “kneeling” or “bowing” in Worship of Jesus. This gesture was indicative of great respect and honor, and typically used when showing regard with reverential respect of something or someone who was considered great, holy and without reproach. In this case, it was respect for The KING of Glory – The Promised Messiah!
When you seek out The LORD – your heart WILL REJOICE!
Psalm 105:3
“Glory ye in His Holy Name: let the heart of them REJOICE that seek The LORD.”

Now, as for the other gifts mentioned in Matthew 2:11, the Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh; they had a meaning why these were presented unto the one that they had found when they followed the star of Bethlehem. All three gifts are customary offerings and gifts given to a King. These were Gold, which is a gift of much worth, valuable; Frankincense, a costly perfume; and Myrrh commonly used as anointing oil. These three gifts had a spiritual meaning: Gold as a symbol of Kingship on earth, Frankincense, (an incense) as a symbol of Deity, and Myrrh (an embalming oil) as a symbol of death. It is said that these men range in age from 20 years; 40 years and 60 years of age, the oldest bringing Gold as a representation that wisdom is from God. The middle aged bringing Frankincense as a representation that Jesus, the Son of God, IS God, and the youngest one brought Myrrh as a representation that Christ would give the “greatest sacrifice” by dying for our sins. All of these “Kings” are recorded to have come from different countries, customs and nationalities. In the Christmas Song, “We Three Kings” in the last verse it mentions the meaning of the Gifts! They were Gold for “King”, Frankincense for “Deity/God” and Myrrh for “Sacrifice.” [We Three Kings verse – “Glorious now behold Him arise – King and God and Sacrifice.”]
So it doesn’t matter how old you are or where you are from … Jesus came to be a SACRIFICE for ALL people! He will make glad the hearts of those who will receive Him into “their” hearts and acknowledge Him as KING and LORD!

God Bless You As You Worship Him Who Is THE GREAT KING – Jesus – God’s Son! Blessings For A GLORIOUS Christmas!
~ Rev. Rachinda ~

Miracle # 6 – THE MIRACLE OF THE ANGELS’ SONG
The message was no sooner delivered by one Angel, when suddenly there was with that Angel a multitude of the Heavenly Hosts; a Choir; and their Song on that day was designed that we should all learn it. For as it was heard by the Shepherds who began Praising God; and their song has been repeated and echoed throughout the ages, of the Miracle of The Messiah’s Birth – through a Song! When the Angels Sang “Glory to God in the HIGHEST”, I believe that they were not JUST saying that He is the Highest Supreme God who resides on HIGH, but that the Highest HONOR should be attributed to our Great God, because He sent His Only Son who willingly came and humbled Himself to enter into a world of sin to become our Saviour! What a Wonderful time of year to SING of the Miracle of the Angels’ Song that inspires Joy, Peace and Good Will toward men on this earth!
It’s Christmastime again! The countdown started well before Thanksgiving and with every passing day the excitement and preparations are accelerating. Lights & decorations have either been put up or have plans to go up soon. Stores are full of shoppers and MUSIC; the awe of the Glorious Christmas Carols fills the air. I remember a time when people went from house to house Caroling. But many have dispensed with that tradition for many reasons; instead choosing to sing Carols at Church Services, Christmas Parties or with Co-Workers at Office Parties. Let’s not let the tradition of singing about Christ birth be a thing of the past!
People, especially children, are eagerly anticipating a very special time of good cheer and glad tidings. It truly is a time of Joy and Gladness! So savor the moments!
Sit down with a nice hot cup of coffee, tea or hot cocoa and think about the Song of that Wonderful Christmas morn. Relax and sing a few of the traditional Christmas Carols, so that YOUR Children & Grandchildren would learn of their importance!

God Bless You As You SING Of The Joys Of Christmas!!
~ Rev. Rachinda ~