On the Road to Intercession...the Journey Begins (03/14/2012)
Throughout the years of my life, starting at the age of 12 to present day age 32, I have been drawn to prayer. When I was twelve, I asked Jesus into my heart to be my Savior. During the next year, I was in a Bible Study at a church and was learning how to pray for (at a deeper level) my future husband, our life together, our future marriage, family, etc. As a teenager, I was growing everyday in my faith, and I understood what it means to believe God through prayer, but I didn't understand more about Intercession until later in life. At age 21, I asked Jesus to be Lord over my life. I had known Jesus, asked HIM into my heart as my Savior. I knew HE had changed me, forgave me, loves me, and truly has saved me. BUT I didn't have HIM in control of my everyday life. When Christ comes into your life as LORD, HE is the one in control of your thoughts, actions, mindsets, dreams...I desired that and still do to this day. In fact, everyday, I do fail. I am human. BUT, everyday I make the choice to allow God to reign as LORD over every part of my life. It's one of the best daily decisions I have made and make!
It was during this year, that God placed on my heart what HE desired for me to do, and step by step, HE has directed me in that path. Prayer became such a vital part of my life, and still is to this day. Not just prayer, though.
When I was a kid, I grew up in a Christian church, but wasn't really taught about walking in faith and absolute trust in God. I was taught that God is good. God is our strength. God's Son Jesus came, lived, died a death undeserved for our sins, and rose again...I was taught about Jesus' salvation for our souls, BUT I wasn't directed on faith in HIM...that praying and believing God still moves on behalf of HIS children today still happens today...that God is a miracle working God and HE is beyond able to do above and beyond what we could ever ask, think, or imagine...Today!
I wasn't taught these things through the denominational Christian church I grew up in...I was taught these things through godly friends that God put in my direction which led me to a walk with Christ deeper than I have ever known...I went from knowing what faith in God is to truly Trusting and Believing God and walking in faith in HIM everyday. I trust God now everyday with waking up every morning, asking HIM what I should wear (when I do this, I get a pic...sometimes a couple to choose from, in my head and I wear that for the day)...to what I should eat, what exercise I should do...all the way to what I should and shouldn't buy/spend...how to pay my bills...what job should I have...etc.
I am not and never will be perfect. I am human. BUT I have learned that faith in God and living out my walk with God everyday, is life and health to my bones. It's who I am. It's who I choose to always be: a child after God's own heart.
In 2001, God started giving me lyrics for songs (over 150). These have never been published. A few have been performed. HE started giving me a heart for missions, ministry, and Intercessory Prayer.
Prayer is Key in life, especially prayer with faith. Intercessory Prayer is when you pray for something/someone until the Lord releases you in your spirit/heart on that person/place/thing.
In that same year of 2001, at age 21, I had many things on my heart to Intercede for...here it is 2012, and I am still interceding for some of the same things I was in years past, but even more...
Intercession Stores came from my heart for Intercessory Prayer: reaching persons/cities/nations/people groups with Who God is, Who they are in Christ Jesus, and How to live their life in accordance to what God has called them to do: live a life of faith in HIM ALL the days of their lfie!
So, as we begin this journey, please, take time out of your busy day to Intercede in prayer for someone on this page. Share your thoughts through our Prayer Request portion of this website, or email me at [email protected].
Have a wonderful day! I'm praying for you, that God will impower you to be a blessing to everyone around you. That HE will lead you to share HIM with at least one person today, and that HE will shine through you, through HIS Word, in all that you do!
~~~Jessica E. Snook
It was during this year, that God placed on my heart what HE desired for me to do, and step by step, HE has directed me in that path. Prayer became such a vital part of my life, and still is to this day. Not just prayer, though.
When I was a kid, I grew up in a Christian church, but wasn't really taught about walking in faith and absolute trust in God. I was taught that God is good. God is our strength. God's Son Jesus came, lived, died a death undeserved for our sins, and rose again...I was taught about Jesus' salvation for our souls, BUT I wasn't directed on faith in HIM...that praying and believing God still moves on behalf of HIS children today still happens today...that God is a miracle working God and HE is beyond able to do above and beyond what we could ever ask, think, or imagine...Today!
I wasn't taught these things through the denominational Christian church I grew up in...I was taught these things through godly friends that God put in my direction which led me to a walk with Christ deeper than I have ever known...I went from knowing what faith in God is to truly Trusting and Believing God and walking in faith in HIM everyday. I trust God now everyday with waking up every morning, asking HIM what I should wear (when I do this, I get a pic...sometimes a couple to choose from, in my head and I wear that for the day)...to what I should eat, what exercise I should do...all the way to what I should and shouldn't buy/spend...how to pay my bills...what job should I have...etc.
I am not and never will be perfect. I am human. BUT I have learned that faith in God and living out my walk with God everyday, is life and health to my bones. It's who I am. It's who I choose to always be: a child after God's own heart.
In 2001, God started giving me lyrics for songs (over 150). These have never been published. A few have been performed. HE started giving me a heart for missions, ministry, and Intercessory Prayer.
Prayer is Key in life, especially prayer with faith. Intercessory Prayer is when you pray for something/someone until the Lord releases you in your spirit/heart on that person/place/thing.
In that same year of 2001, at age 21, I had many things on my heart to Intercede for...here it is 2012, and I am still interceding for some of the same things I was in years past, but even more...
Intercession Stores came from my heart for Intercessory Prayer: reaching persons/cities/nations/people groups with Who God is, Who they are in Christ Jesus, and How to live their life in accordance to what God has called them to do: live a life of faith in HIM ALL the days of their lfie!
So, as we begin this journey, please, take time out of your busy day to Intercede in prayer for someone on this page. Share your thoughts through our Prayer Request portion of this website, or email me at [email protected].
Have a wonderful day! I'm praying for you, that God will impower you to be a blessing to everyone around you. That HE will lead you to share HIM with at least one person today, and that HE will shine through you, through HIS Word, in all that you do!
~~~Jessica E. Snook
Blowing Dandilions in the Sunshine... (Thursday, March 15th, 2012)
Right now, it's 12:35a.m., I have just gotten home from watching my 3yr old nephew Jayden, but felt led to share.
Yesterday, I spent 11 sweet hours with Jayden. While I was there, I decided to take a little stroll with him, to let him have a little outside time, away from the house on this beautiful day. On our walk, he saw some dandilions. He watched as I picked one for myself, picked one for him, and after telling him to make a wish, he saw me blow the white seeds off of mine. Then asked me why I did that.
It's not a perfect moment, but for me, this was a reminder to me of God's agape' love that HE surrounds us with, everyday. I wish I had recorded this moment, bc my heart was deeply touched by it.
Right now, I am reading through the Bible Study Book called the Resolution for Women by Pricilla Shirer. In the first part, she speaks on learning to be content in every situation. When I first came across this passage, the way she explained it, didn't make any sense to me on how I can be content rt now with so much "stuff" happening in my life at this moment in time. BUT, through this experience yesterday, not just with the dandilions, but all throughout the day, God reminded me of HIS love, HIS heart, HIS purpose for my life. I felt "content".
So, if you have a chance on a beautiful day, go pick a dandilion and thank God for the small blessings in life that HE gives us everyday!
Yesterday, I spent 11 sweet hours with Jayden. While I was there, I decided to take a little stroll with him, to let him have a little outside time, away from the house on this beautiful day. On our walk, he saw some dandilions. He watched as I picked one for myself, picked one for him, and after telling him to make a wish, he saw me blow the white seeds off of mine. Then asked me why I did that.
It's not a perfect moment, but for me, this was a reminder to me of God's agape' love that HE surrounds us with, everyday. I wish I had recorded this moment, bc my heart was deeply touched by it.
Right now, I am reading through the Bible Study Book called the Resolution for Women by Pricilla Shirer. In the first part, she speaks on learning to be content in every situation. When I first came across this passage, the way she explained it, didn't make any sense to me on how I can be content rt now with so much "stuff" happening in my life at this moment in time. BUT, through this experience yesterday, not just with the dandilions, but all throughout the day, God reminded me of HIS love, HIS heart, HIS purpose for my life. I felt "content".
So, if you have a chance on a beautiful day, go pick a dandilion and thank God for the small blessings in life that HE gives us everyday!
24 Feet Deep...
This past weekend, I went to my older sister's house with my fam. My older sister and her husband and five kids own 27 acres of land that has 2 ponds. While we were there, my little sister decides to get the canoe out and row around on the ponds. One of the ponds is 10ft deep, the other is bigger and 24 feet deep.
After giving all of my nieces and nephews a ride on the canoe, around the pond, (one at a time), my sisters took me around. Now, I am not afraid to admit that I am not the best swimmer, and also, I had never been on a canoe before (a boat, yes, but never a canoe).
I rode around the pond with my sisters doing the rowing, all the while trying to calm my nerves. I don't mind pools to swim in, but anywhere pond, lake or oceans that have "living things in the water" I am not a huge fan of at all.
A little while later, my Mom, little sister and I decided to go to the bigger pond...the one that's 24ft deep. We survived the 10ft deep pond without tipping over, so why not, right?
At first, my Mom was in the back and my sister in the front on the canoe. No matter how hard they rowed, they couldn't get it to go in the direction that they wanted to go to. It wasn't until my Mom got in the front and my sister in the back, that I felt "secure" and the boat was sturdy and going in the right direction.
Over the last 8mths, I put all of my dreams on hold to help my fam. My sister and my grandmother had had major surgeries, and since I was the only one without a f/t job (some of my fam don't think my record label or these ministries are real work), I was nominated to help my fam. I was so busy btn two homes, and then later on, I was btn B'ham, AL and Ozark, AL...I didn't have much time to myself to work on these ministries. This made me mad, upset, depressed...I wasn't content at all...I felt stuck with no way to get out. I love my fam, but I was stretched to the limit, seeking more of God's grace to get me through every part...I was frustrated bc I needed a way to pay my bills. I'm living with family, but still have student loans to pay off...and no way to work so I could pay my bills. So, instead of completely focusing on God and HIS plan, I was distracted by having my mind flooded with worries over finances and how to pay my bills...
Recently, I started reading the Bible Study by Pricilla Shirer called the Resolution for Women. In the first section, she talks about learning to be satisfied in every situation, and also learning to be content in every situation (Phil. 4:10). I was so frustrated that I didn't know how to be content in my situation bc I felt stuck in a place I didn't want to be in anymore, doing the same thing over and over again (babysitting my nephew), and just didn't know how to be content.
Lesson Learned: Ask God to teach you how to be content in every situation.
I asked God with a sincere heart, to help me to be content. By the end of last week, I had watched my nephew for 40hrs, and in the middle of one of those days, I finally understood what and how to be content in my situation, relying on God completely instead of partially.
This morning, I woke up and felt like a new person. My schedule is finally clear of helping my fam f/t, so I can now work on things that I couldn't before. God has made a way, and today is different. Today, I released my heart of worries to God, in complete surrender. Today I didn't worry about my finances, instead, my heart was heavy to help God's children in more ways than I ever have before, to move forward in his/her dream in life.
I am not saying that I won't ever worry again. I will. BUT, I know something in me has changed for the better. It's like when my Mom, sister and I were on that canoe over the 24ft deep waters. Once we were on the rt track and the boat was steady, my fear of falling in the water left me and peace from God came in. I am not worried rt now bc God has stepped in and brought peace to my heart, so much so, that I know HE will provide a way for me to pay my bills and have enough left over to give back to HIS people for Kingdom Ministry.
After giving all of my nieces and nephews a ride on the canoe, around the pond, (one at a time), my sisters took me around. Now, I am not afraid to admit that I am not the best swimmer, and also, I had never been on a canoe before (a boat, yes, but never a canoe).
I rode around the pond with my sisters doing the rowing, all the while trying to calm my nerves. I don't mind pools to swim in, but anywhere pond, lake or oceans that have "living things in the water" I am not a huge fan of at all.
A little while later, my Mom, little sister and I decided to go to the bigger pond...the one that's 24ft deep. We survived the 10ft deep pond without tipping over, so why not, right?
At first, my Mom was in the back and my sister in the front on the canoe. No matter how hard they rowed, they couldn't get it to go in the direction that they wanted to go to. It wasn't until my Mom got in the front and my sister in the back, that I felt "secure" and the boat was sturdy and going in the right direction.
Over the last 8mths, I put all of my dreams on hold to help my fam. My sister and my grandmother had had major surgeries, and since I was the only one without a f/t job (some of my fam don't think my record label or these ministries are real work), I was nominated to help my fam. I was so busy btn two homes, and then later on, I was btn B'ham, AL and Ozark, AL...I didn't have much time to myself to work on these ministries. This made me mad, upset, depressed...I wasn't content at all...I felt stuck with no way to get out. I love my fam, but I was stretched to the limit, seeking more of God's grace to get me through every part...I was frustrated bc I needed a way to pay my bills. I'm living with family, but still have student loans to pay off...and no way to work so I could pay my bills. So, instead of completely focusing on God and HIS plan, I was distracted by having my mind flooded with worries over finances and how to pay my bills...
Recently, I started reading the Bible Study by Pricilla Shirer called the Resolution for Women. In the first section, she talks about learning to be satisfied in every situation, and also learning to be content in every situation (Phil. 4:10). I was so frustrated that I didn't know how to be content in my situation bc I felt stuck in a place I didn't want to be in anymore, doing the same thing over and over again (babysitting my nephew), and just didn't know how to be content.
Lesson Learned: Ask God to teach you how to be content in every situation.
I asked God with a sincere heart, to help me to be content. By the end of last week, I had watched my nephew for 40hrs, and in the middle of one of those days, I finally understood what and how to be content in my situation, relying on God completely instead of partially.
This morning, I woke up and felt like a new person. My schedule is finally clear of helping my fam f/t, so I can now work on things that I couldn't before. God has made a way, and today is different. Today, I released my heart of worries to God, in complete surrender. Today I didn't worry about my finances, instead, my heart was heavy to help God's children in more ways than I ever have before, to move forward in his/her dream in life.
I am not saying that I won't ever worry again. I will. BUT, I know something in me has changed for the better. It's like when my Mom, sister and I were on that canoe over the 24ft deep waters. Once we were on the rt track and the boat was steady, my fear of falling in the water left me and peace from God came in. I am not worried rt now bc God has stepped in and brought peace to my heart, so much so, that I know HE will provide a way for me to pay my bills and have enough left over to give back to HIS people for Kingdom Ministry.
Bolivia 03/21/2012
This week, as I was in my prayer time, God placed the nation of Bolivia on my heart to intercede for at this time. In my research on recent news regarding this nation, all I could find were these facts:
1. They are ruled by a Mr. Morales, who they don't like as their ruler bc when he is in power, he cuts off their ability to grow, to eat, to have gasoline.
2. They are one of the poorest nations in South America.
3. They have been in riots for over a year, trying to overthrow their government and rid themselves of Mr. Morales.
As I begin to intercede, I know God will place certain things on my heart to pray for, regarding this nation. I ask that you all please join with me in prayer. The pic is of Bolivia's national flower called the Kantuta Flower. As I pray and intercede for the nation of Bolivia, I will begin creating artwork that displays not just this flower, but the people, the cities, the lifestyle, etc.
1. They are ruled by a Mr. Morales, who they don't like as their ruler bc when he is in power, he cuts off their ability to grow, to eat, to have gasoline.
2. They are one of the poorest nations in South America.
3. They have been in riots for over a year, trying to overthrow their government and rid themselves of Mr. Morales.
As I begin to intercede, I know God will place certain things on my heart to pray for, regarding this nation. I ask that you all please join with me in prayer. The pic is of Bolivia's national flower called the Kantuta Flower. As I pray and intercede for the nation of Bolivia, I will begin creating artwork that displays not just this flower, but the people, the cities, the lifestyle, etc.
God, my Rock and Fortress (Psalm 18)
"I love you, O Lord, my strength.
The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.
He is my shield and the horn (King) of my salvation, my stronghold.
I call to the Lord who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.
The cords of death entangled me;
the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me,
The cords of the grave coiled around me;
the snares of death confronted me.
In my distress I called to the Lord;
I cried to my God for help.
From his temple he heard my voice;
my cry came before him, into his ears.
The earth trembled and quaked,
and the foundations of the mountains shook;
they trembled because he was angry.
Smoke rose from his nostrils;
consuming fire came from his mouth,
burning coals blazed out of it.
He parted the heavens and came down;
dark clouds were under his feet.
He mounted the cherubim and flew;
he soared on the wings of the wind.
He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him---
the dark rain clouds of the sky,
Out of the brightness of his presence clouds advanced,
with hailstones and bolts of lightning.
The Lord thundered from heaven:
the voice of the Most High resounded.
He shot his arrows and scattered the enemies, great bolts of lightning and routed them.
The valleys of the sea were exposed, and the foundations of the earth laid bare at your rebuke, O Lord,
at the blast of breath from Your nostrils.
He reached down from on high and took hold of me;
HE drew me out of deep waters,
HE rescued me from my powerful enemy,
from my foes, who were too strong for me.
They confronted me in the day of my disaster,
but the Lord was my support.
HE brought me out into a spacious place;
HE rescued me because HE delighted in me.
The Lord has dealt with me according to my righteousness;
according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me.
For I have kept the ways of the Lord;
I have not done evil by turning from my God.
All his laws are before me;
I have not turned away from his decrees.
I have been blameless before Him and have kept myself from sin.
The Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness,
according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight.
The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.
He is my shield and the horn (King) of my salvation, my stronghold.
I call to the Lord who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.
The cords of death entangled me;
the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me,
The cords of the grave coiled around me;
the snares of death confronted me.
In my distress I called to the Lord;
I cried to my God for help.
From his temple he heard my voice;
my cry came before him, into his ears.
The earth trembled and quaked,
and the foundations of the mountains shook;
they trembled because he was angry.
Smoke rose from his nostrils;
consuming fire came from his mouth,
burning coals blazed out of it.
He parted the heavens and came down;
dark clouds were under his feet.
He mounted the cherubim and flew;
he soared on the wings of the wind.
He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him---
the dark rain clouds of the sky,
Out of the brightness of his presence clouds advanced,
with hailstones and bolts of lightning.
The Lord thundered from heaven:
the voice of the Most High resounded.
He shot his arrows and scattered the enemies, great bolts of lightning and routed them.
The valleys of the sea were exposed, and the foundations of the earth laid bare at your rebuke, O Lord,
at the blast of breath from Your nostrils.
He reached down from on high and took hold of me;
HE drew me out of deep waters,
HE rescued me from my powerful enemy,
from my foes, who were too strong for me.
They confronted me in the day of my disaster,
but the Lord was my support.
HE brought me out into a spacious place;
HE rescued me because HE delighted in me.
The Lord has dealt with me according to my righteousness;
according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me.
For I have kept the ways of the Lord;
I have not done evil by turning from my God.
All his laws are before me;
I have not turned away from his decrees.
I have been blameless before Him and have kept myself from sin.
The Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness,
according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight.