Barbara Ann Derksen's Blog: Adventures in Writing

Jesus Teaches on Prayer

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Building a relationship with anyone takes two-way conversation. Most of us meet a friend face to face, although a lot of friendship interaction these days is done texting, at a distance. But it’s still a back and forth exchange of ideas. When Jesus walked the earth, He had this kind of relationship with His disciples. They’d walk down dusty roads, heading here or there, and converse, batting back and forth ideas about this or that. Nothing has changed. If we want a rela...

Catalyst For Change

Now I speak to every mountain of fear, every mountain of discouragement, every mountain of stress, every mountain of depression, every mountain of lack and insufficiency, and I say, “Be removed and cast into the sea in Jesus name.
On a recent trip to Thompson, Manitoba, my husband and I traveled for none hours north of Winnipeg along a beautiful highway, through forests and bypassing a few scattered, small towns. Not once did we see a dip in the road until we were almost at our destination....

Orchestrated Interruptions

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The phone rings. I place the task I am currently involved in on hold and answer, but my mind is focused on the task, not the caller. Has that ever happened to you? I ask the Lord to open a door, or bring someone into my life who needs prayer or a special word from Him, and when they call, all I can think about is the work I still have to do. I pray for opportunities to meet new people, to share the love of Jesus with, and when I am asked to speak to some seniors two day...

Face to Face Enjoyment

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How do you define prayer? In Ecclesiastical terms, prayer is a personal communication or petition addressed to a deity in the form of supplication, adoration, praise, contrition, or thanksgiving. Further, according to the online dictionary, it is defined as any other form of spiritual communion with a deity. It is also defined as our solution to human problems, a form of devotion, or an earnest request, petition, or entreaty. When I think of prayer, I think of that life...

Walk a Mile in His shoes

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I say that you are a good God and I eagerly anticipate your goodness today. Have you ever thought about the type of person whose example taught you the most? Maybe you were working your first job or studying at University. You watched the people around you because you wanted to learn the right way of doing things. Sometimes that person led you down the wrong path and you made the same mistakes they made. At other times, you were more discerning and you chose whom to fol...

Material Deficiency

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And I speak to this day and I call you blessed. And I declare that I serve a mighty God who today will do exceedingly and abundantly beyond all that I can ask or think.
Deborah and Jeremy woke up with the same problems they’d gone to bed with. Their mortgage payment was due in a few days and there was no money in their bank account to pay it. Besides that, the pantry was getting pretty bare and they had three children to feed besides themselves. They hugged each other...

Peace, Glorious Peace

I speak to the raging waters in my life; peace, be still As I’ve traveled around the world, via the internet, I’ve discovered that most people value peace in their life. It takes many forms, depending on the person, but peace is essential to people for a happy co-existence. Peace at home, at work, in relationships, and in their spiritual life is a highly sought after commodity. But what is peace and where does it come from? In the dictionary, peace is defined as the absence of war or other ho...

Faithful Refuge

Any adversity, attack, accidents, and tragedies that were headed my way are diverted right now, in Jesus name.

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The television, every year, shows pictures of storms as they lambaste a coastline or tornadoes that wipe out entire towns. People do what they can to protect their belongings and themselves, but eventually they seek refuge in a storm cellar or a basement room. Sometimes they head for higher ground, forced to evacuate their home by the authorities. The dictiona...

Protect and Provide

My angels are carrying out the word of God on my behalf.

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Picture this. You’re riding down the highway, and a contingent of God’s heavenly angels glide along the asphalt with you, acting as a buffer between you and the oncoming traffic. They provide a hedge of protection to make sure that each part of your vehicle works as it should and that you are safe for the journey. This is part of the prayer that goes into a Biker Blessing. We ask for God’s provision and protectio...

Reciprocated Commitment

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I have a covenant with God, and by the blood of Jesus I release my divine protection and divine provision.
The Online Free Dictionary describes commitment as the trait of sincere and steadfast fixity of purpose; the act of binding oneself intellectually or emotionally to a course of action. A person who’s committed is serious-minded, earnest, and sincere. It has the idea of investing in something with the expectation of a worthwhile result. When a man and a woman stand...