Source of joy and peace
"Open my eyes to the wonderful truths in your law. I have chosen to be faithful; I have determined to live by your laws. Lord, give me your unfailing love, the salvation that you promised me. Then I will have an answer for those who taunt me, for I trust in your word. Do not snatch your word of truth from me, for my only hope is in your laws. I will keep on obeying your lay forever and forever.
May all who fear you find in me a cause for joy, for I have put my hope in your word. I know, O Lord, that your decisions are fair; you disciplined me because I needed it. Now let your unfailing love comfort me, just as you promised me, your servant. Surround me with your tender mercies so I may live, for your law is my delight. +Those who love your law have great peace and do not stumble."
Psalm 119:18, 30, 41-44, 74-77, 165 NLT
Knowing the person behind the book
To own a Bible—to know we have it if we need it—brings a certain measure of peace. When we actually read and begin to understand it we are better able to receive peace of mind and heart. And when we apply what God's Word teaches, our lifestyle actually becomes a fertile place where peace can grow. But when we truly grow to love this wisdom given to us by its loving author, we have actually come to put our trust in the person behind the book. The writer of Psalm 119 grew to love God's law because it revealed who God was. We can rest assured when we follow the principles that issue from God's great love and wisdom.
from the TouchPoint Bible with commentaries by Ron Beers and Gilbert Beers (Tyndale) p 535
Monday, December 28, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
A Merry Heart is Good Medicine -- Christian Jokes to Brigthen Your Day
Christian One Liners
Don't let your worries get the best of you; Remember, Moses started out as a basket case.
Some people are kind, polite, and sweet-spirited until you try to sit in their pews.
Many folks want to serve God, but only as advisers..
It is easier to preach ten sermons than it is to live one.
The good Lord didn't create anything without a purpose, but mosquitoes come close.
When you get to your wit's end, you'll find God lives there.
People are funny; they want the front of the bus, middle of the road, and back of the church.
Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on the front door forever.
Quit griping about your church; If it was perfect, you couldn't belong.
If a church wants a better pastor, it only needs to pray for the one it has.
We're called to be witnesses, not lawyers or judges.
God Himself doesn't propose to judge a man until he is dead. So why should you?
Some minds are like concrete thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.
Peace starts with a smile.
I don't know why some people change churches; What difference does it make which one you stay home from?
A lot of church members singing 'Standing on the Promises' are just sitting on the premises.
Be ye fishers of men. You catch 'em - He'll clean 'em.
Stop, Drop, and Roll won't work in Hell.
Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous.
Don't put a question mark where God put a period.
Don't wait for 6 strong men to take you to church.
Forbidden fruits create many jams.
God doesn't call the qualified, HE qualifies the called.
God grades on the cross, not the curve.
God loves everyone, but probably prefers 'fruits of the spirit' over 'religious nuts!'
God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.
He who angers you, controls you!
If God is your Co-pilot, swap seats!
Prayer: Don't give God instructions, just report for duty!
The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us.
The Will of God never takes you to where the Grace of God will not protect you.
We don't change the message, the message changes us.
You can tell how big a person is by what it takes to discourage him.
The best mathematical equation I have ever seen: 1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given.
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain.
Don't let your worries get the best of you; Remember, Moses started out as a basket case.
Some people are kind, polite, and sweet-spirited until you try to sit in their pews.
Many folks want to serve God, but only as advisers..
It is easier to preach ten sermons than it is to live one.
The good Lord didn't create anything without a purpose, but mosquitoes come close.
When you get to your wit's end, you'll find God lives there.
People are funny; they want the front of the bus, middle of the road, and back of the church.
Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on the front door forever.
Quit griping about your church; If it was perfect, you couldn't belong.
If a church wants a better pastor, it only needs to pray for the one it has.
We're called to be witnesses, not lawyers or judges.
God Himself doesn't propose to judge a man until he is dead. So why should you?
Some minds are like concrete thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.
Peace starts with a smile.
I don't know why some people change churches; What difference does it make which one you stay home from?
A lot of church members singing 'Standing on the Promises' are just sitting on the premises.
Be ye fishers of men. You catch 'em - He'll clean 'em.
Stop, Drop, and Roll won't work in Hell.
Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous.
Don't put a question mark where God put a period.
Don't wait for 6 strong men to take you to church.
Forbidden fruits create many jams.
God doesn't call the qualified, HE qualifies the called.
God grades on the cross, not the curve.
God loves everyone, but probably prefers 'fruits of the spirit' over 'religious nuts!'
God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.
He who angers you, controls you!
If God is your Co-pilot, swap seats!
Prayer: Don't give God instructions, just report for duty!
The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us.
The Will of God never takes you to where the Grace of God will not protect you.
We don't change the message, the message changes us.
You can tell how big a person is by what it takes to discourage him.
The best mathematical equation I have ever seen: 1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given.
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain.
Pleading the Blood of Jesus in Prayer
Pleading the Blood of Jesus
When we talk about “pleading” the blood of Jesus, we are not talking about “begging.” “Pleading the blood” should not be considered a desperation exercise; God has not called us to come begging before Him. maybe you have heard people pray the words, “Father God, we come under the blood of Jesus.” Or, “Lord, we cover this matter with the blood of Jesus.”
As many of our great hymns proclaim, we believe in the power of the Blood, because we believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and that the Cross was the instrument of global redemption which broke the power of hell.
Pleading the blood of Jesus is not the superstitious application of a magic formula of words. Rather, a spiritual dynamic is being applied. The power of the blood of Jesus Christ is greater than both the energy of our own humanity and that of our Adversary. The power that saves is also the power that releases, delivers, and neutralizes the enterprises of hell and the weaknesses of the flesh. The appropriation of the power of the Blood in tough situations is intended for every believer in Christ to know, to understand, and to employ.
Dr. Jack hayford writes that there is an abiding presence of power in the blood of Jesus—all the time, in every situation in which we apply it. Pleading the blood of Jesus is a heaven-given resource that grants us a license to stand in dominion over the works of hell. We can use it in the same sense that an attorney stands before the court and makes a “plea” on legal grounds, based upon a body of evidence.
According to Dr. Hayford, when you and I come before the court of heaven—and in every circumstance we face in life—we have the legal right, through the blood of Jesus Christ, to enter a plea and to lay claim to the evidence (His slain body, His shed blood at the Cross) which is proven to neutralize the power of sin, the power of affliction, the power of death, and the power of hell. It is to that I make my plea when I plead the blood of Jesus, whether I face demonic, physical, or personal attack, condemnation or the temptation to sin.
There is no circumstance in life to which the blood of Jesus isn’t key to God’s releasing, protecting, resolving power, whether it’s removing the potential of confusion, overcoming the impact of rebellion, breaking the torment of fear, or the shame of the past. When we “plead the blood,” we are to do so in the understanding sense, with the firepower of the supernatural, and on the basis of the body of evidence that. Tough the blood of Jesus Christ, all hell has been broken in its power, all sin neutralized, the power of death overwhelmed, and every human need paid for once and for all.
When you pray, utilize the power of the Blood of Christ. Pray, "I plead the Blood of Jesus over _______ (insert person or problem) and I ask the Holy Spirit to apply the power of the Blood of Jesus in Jesus' Name." It is a scripture-based way to pray and wage spritual warfare. For more on the POWER IN THE BLOOD
See my web-blog of Pastor's meditations Word and Spirit at http://www.burtchurch.blogspot.com/
When we talk about “pleading” the blood of Jesus, we are not talking about “begging.” “Pleading the blood” should not be considered a desperation exercise; God has not called us to come begging before Him. maybe you have heard people pray the words, “Father God, we come under the blood of Jesus.” Or, “Lord, we cover this matter with the blood of Jesus.”
As many of our great hymns proclaim, we believe in the power of the Blood, because we believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and that the Cross was the instrument of global redemption which broke the power of hell.
Pleading the blood of Jesus is not the superstitious application of a magic formula of words. Rather, a spiritual dynamic is being applied. The power of the blood of Jesus Christ is greater than both the energy of our own humanity and that of our Adversary. The power that saves is also the power that releases, delivers, and neutralizes the enterprises of hell and the weaknesses of the flesh. The appropriation of the power of the Blood in tough situations is intended for every believer in Christ to know, to understand, and to employ.
Dr. Jack hayford writes that there is an abiding presence of power in the blood of Jesus—all the time, in every situation in which we apply it. Pleading the blood of Jesus is a heaven-given resource that grants us a license to stand in dominion over the works of hell. We can use it in the same sense that an attorney stands before the court and makes a “plea” on legal grounds, based upon a body of evidence.
According to Dr. Hayford, when you and I come before the court of heaven—and in every circumstance we face in life—we have the legal right, through the blood of Jesus Christ, to enter a plea and to lay claim to the evidence (His slain body, His shed blood at the Cross) which is proven to neutralize the power of sin, the power of affliction, the power of death, and the power of hell. It is to that I make my plea when I plead the blood of Jesus, whether I face demonic, physical, or personal attack, condemnation or the temptation to sin.
There is no circumstance in life to which the blood of Jesus isn’t key to God’s releasing, protecting, resolving power, whether it’s removing the potential of confusion, overcoming the impact of rebellion, breaking the torment of fear, or the shame of the past. When we “plead the blood,” we are to do so in the understanding sense, with the firepower of the supernatural, and on the basis of the body of evidence that. Tough the blood of Jesus Christ, all hell has been broken in its power, all sin neutralized, the power of death overwhelmed, and every human need paid for once and for all.
When you pray, utilize the power of the Blood of Christ. Pray, "I plead the Blood of Jesus over _______ (insert person or problem) and I ask the Holy Spirit to apply the power of the Blood of Jesus in Jesus' Name." It is a scripture-based way to pray and wage spritual warfare. For more on the POWER IN THE BLOOD
See my web-blog of Pastor's meditations Word and Spirit at http://www.burtchurch.blogspot.com/
The Miraculous Blood of Jesus
One of the great offensive prayers that we can pray is to "plead the Blood of Jesus" over people and situations. To enter a plea is a legal term, and God is a legal God. When we enter a plea of the Blood of Jesus in Jesus' name, we are calling on the highest power in the universe in our hehalf.
THE PASSOVER in the Old Testament Scriptures is the focal point of understanding the power of the blood. All sacrifice that proceeds after that in the Mosaic system is founded on this principle: through the blood of sacrifice, there is deliverance, protection, and a God-provided future. This mighty forecasting picture was fulfilled in the Person of Jesus. I recently heard a fine teaching by Dr. Jack Hayford (who wrote the classic chorus "Majesty") that explained pleading the blood very well. I include some of his thoughts here.
Jesus had not even begun his ministry when, appearing before the waters of baptism, John the Baptist announced of Him: “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Everyone present understood the implication of his words, but it was difficult for them to come to terms with the idea that the Messiah, who is the King, is also the sacrifice, who is the Lamb. John was raising a signal not only to that day but also to all history.
When we deal with the subject of the blood, we are not dealing with some gory residue of ancient human superstition. When we talk about the blood of Christ, we are dealing with that which the Scriptures refer to as precious for its transcendent value to address human sin, need, failure, and bondage. Its value is related to the inestimable price of human liberty from the bondage of spiritual torment. The blood of Jesus is the central economic factor in all human order. Jack Hayford writes: So central is it that the Bible says Christ’s blood will the theme of our praise forever."
THE PASSOVER in the Old Testament Scriptures is the focal point of understanding the power of the blood. All sacrifice that proceeds after that in the Mosaic system is founded on this principle: through the blood of sacrifice, there is deliverance, protection, and a God-provided future. This mighty forecasting picture was fulfilled in the Person of Jesus. I recently heard a fine teaching by Dr. Jack Hayford (who wrote the classic chorus "Majesty") that explained pleading the blood very well. I include some of his thoughts here.
Jesus had not even begun his ministry when, appearing before the waters of baptism, John the Baptist announced of Him: “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Everyone present understood the implication of his words, but it was difficult for them to come to terms with the idea that the Messiah, who is the King, is also the sacrifice, who is the Lamb. John was raising a signal not only to that day but also to all history.
When we deal with the subject of the blood, we are not dealing with some gory residue of ancient human superstition. When we talk about the blood of Christ, we are dealing with that which the Scriptures refer to as precious for its transcendent value to address human sin, need, failure, and bondage. Its value is related to the inestimable price of human liberty from the bondage of spiritual torment. The blood of Jesus is the central economic factor in all human order. Jack Hayford writes: So central is it that the Bible says Christ’s blood will the theme of our praise forever."
Pray for the Children and Youth -- Remember Proverbs 22:6
Please pray for our youth. It is a complex world they live in, and they need to be clothed in our prayers. Sometimes I feel that our youth grow up too fast, that they are thrown into the mix so quickly that they miss some of the joys I experienced in my high school years. Their schedules are full of activity, but is there room or time for careful reflection and gentle personal growth of a deeper nature?
In an "it's all about me" world, is there any true focus on thinking beyond oneself, in helping others, and in intentionally living the Christian life.. In a world filled with so much greed and self-centeredness, the church cries out for a balance in life. The Bible gives us a path, the Jesus Way, but the world competes savagely for their attention. They need our nurture, our direction, and our prayers.
Proverbs 22:6 is just as true now as when it was written "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." Youth are children, especially until they are 18 and in many ways until they are 21, and sometimes beyond that arbitrary age.
Training is NOT letting children and youth have their own way all of the time. It involves guidance and leadership by the adults in their lives, and definitely by those who are their parents and by others caring adults who are in the churches they are affiliated with in their young lives. So we must pray fervently for them. It is our Christian duty to pray for them individually each day.
In an "it's all about me" world, is there any true focus on thinking beyond oneself, in helping others, and in intentionally living the Christian life.. In a world filled with so much greed and self-centeredness, the church cries out for a balance in life. The Bible gives us a path, the Jesus Way, but the world competes savagely for their attention. They need our nurture, our direction, and our prayers.
Proverbs 22:6 is just as true now as when it was written "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." Youth are children, especially until they are 18 and in many ways until they are 21, and sometimes beyond that arbitrary age.
Training is NOT letting children and youth have their own way all of the time. It involves guidance and leadership by the adults in their lives, and definitely by those who are their parents and by others caring adults who are in the churches they are affiliated with in their young lives. So we must pray fervently for them. It is our Christian duty to pray for them individually each day.
Ways to Meditate Upon the Lord!
Meditating Upon the Lord is a remarkable prayer tool. Here are some fun ways to meditate upon Him!
1. PRAISE JESUS FROM A TO Z. For example, "Jesus, You are amazing ... Jesus, You are beautiful...." This will challenge you to think deeply about who Jesus is and why you love and serve Him. As you praise Jesus using each letter of the alphabet, spend time meditating on each word you use to describe Him. Thinking deeply about Him is more important than racing through each letter of the alphabet as fast as you can.
2. WRITE OUT YOUR PRAYERS TO JESUS. You might write them in a journal, or purchase special stationery for these precious letters, as you might do if you were sending a letter to someone you have fallen deeply in love with. At the end of the letter, sign your name, just as you would a normal letter. Something powerful and deeply intimate happens when you record your thoughts and prayers in a letter to Jesus.
3. MAKE A LIST of the hurts and needs in your life. As you come to a verse that shows how God can meet that need, write it down next to that need. Like the letters mentioned above, you can do this in your journal, or separately. You might even create a journal that records only your needs and relevant Scriptures. As you do this, you create your own book of God's promises!
4. REREAD YOUR NOTES OF THE YOUR PASTOR's SERMON from the previous week. Remember and apply truth. Find a verse in the text that has helped you grow, and write a note giving thanks for the sermon and insight on the passage.
5. READ YOUR FAVORITE HYMN. Spend some time meditating about each of the hymn's verses and its overall message. Find the passage in the Bible that the hymn was based upon, and think about how the hymn describes and reflects that truth. Spend some time researching how and why the hymn was composed. What were the circumstances? You can Google the hymn or look in a book about hymns. Think about how the hymn reflects the author's response to God during his or her circumstances.
1. PRAISE JESUS FROM A TO Z. For example, "Jesus, You are amazing ... Jesus, You are beautiful...." This will challenge you to think deeply about who Jesus is and why you love and serve Him. As you praise Jesus using each letter of the alphabet, spend time meditating on each word you use to describe Him. Thinking deeply about Him is more important than racing through each letter of the alphabet as fast as you can.
2. WRITE OUT YOUR PRAYERS TO JESUS. You might write them in a journal, or purchase special stationery for these precious letters, as you might do if you were sending a letter to someone you have fallen deeply in love with. At the end of the letter, sign your name, just as you would a normal letter. Something powerful and deeply intimate happens when you record your thoughts and prayers in a letter to Jesus.
3. MAKE A LIST of the hurts and needs in your life. As you come to a verse that shows how God can meet that need, write it down next to that need. Like the letters mentioned above, you can do this in your journal, or separately. You might even create a journal that records only your needs and relevant Scriptures. As you do this, you create your own book of God's promises!
4. REREAD YOUR NOTES OF THE YOUR PASTOR's SERMON from the previous week. Remember and apply truth. Find a verse in the text that has helped you grow, and write a note giving thanks for the sermon and insight on the passage.
5. READ YOUR FAVORITE HYMN. Spend some time meditating about each of the hymn's verses and its overall message. Find the passage in the Bible that the hymn was based upon, and think about how the hymn describes and reflects that truth. Spend some time researching how and why the hymn was composed. What were the circumstances? You can Google the hymn or look in a book about hymns. Think about how the hymn reflects the author's response to God during his or her circumstances.
God Wants a Personal Relationship With You
There is a lot we can learn from the life of Moses in Exodus. He had a deep Personal Relationship With God, and we should desire that for ourselves and for our loved ones, and everyone in our church families.
The Bible shows us that the #1 thing God wants to do with each one of us is to establish an intimate personal relationship. Moses definitely accomplished this with God the Father! The Bible may have given Moses two of the finest and highest compliments that any human could ever hope to receive from God Himself.
Here are the two verses giving Moses these two incredible compliments direct from the Lord Himself:
"So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend." (Exodus 33:11)
"But since then there has not arisen in Israel a prophet like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face." (Deuteronomy 34:10)
The second verse is one of the last verses that are at the end of this man’s story. It is a very fitting statement and compliment in which to end his story in God. These verses are obviously referring to Moses’ face-to-face encounters with God in the burning bush and on top of Mount Sinai when he received the 10 commandments from God the Father.
However, the thing to really grab a hold of is that even though God initiated making this kind of direct contact with Moses, Moses entered in and was not afraid to meet God face to face and one on one! The Bible says that when God first manifested His presence on top of Mount Sinai, all of the other Israelites were scared to death of God.
They told Moses that he should go up there and talk with God for them lest they should die from coming into direct contact with the Lord. Here are the exact words out of Scripture of the fear that they had with their own God:
Then they said to Moses, "You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die." (Exodus 20:19)
Their fear of God is the exact same fear that many Christians still have today. They know that the Bible tells them that God wants to establish this individual personal relationship with each one of us, but they are to afraid to approach God to establish this kind of intimate personal relationship with Him.
There are many different reasons why people are afraid to establish a personal relationship with the Lord. But suffice to say, this is what God really wants, and if you would be willing enter in without any fear like Moses did, this will then be the beginning of a new and adventurous life with the Lord. Your relationship with God is the foundation of your prayer life.
The Bible shows us that the #1 thing God wants to do with each one of us is to establish an intimate personal relationship. Moses definitely accomplished this with God the Father! The Bible may have given Moses two of the finest and highest compliments that any human could ever hope to receive from God Himself.
Here are the two verses giving Moses these two incredible compliments direct from the Lord Himself:
"So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend." (Exodus 33:11)
"But since then there has not arisen in Israel a prophet like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face." (Deuteronomy 34:10)
The second verse is one of the last verses that are at the end of this man’s story. It is a very fitting statement and compliment in which to end his story in God. These verses are obviously referring to Moses’ face-to-face encounters with God in the burning bush and on top of Mount Sinai when he received the 10 commandments from God the Father.
However, the thing to really grab a hold of is that even though God initiated making this kind of direct contact with Moses, Moses entered in and was not afraid to meet God face to face and one on one! The Bible says that when God first manifested His presence on top of Mount Sinai, all of the other Israelites were scared to death of God.
They told Moses that he should go up there and talk with God for them lest they should die from coming into direct contact with the Lord. Here are the exact words out of Scripture of the fear that they had with their own God:
Then they said to Moses, "You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die." (Exodus 20:19)
Their fear of God is the exact same fear that many Christians still have today. They know that the Bible tells them that God wants to establish this individual personal relationship with each one of us, but they are to afraid to approach God to establish this kind of intimate personal relationship with Him.
There are many different reasons why people are afraid to establish a personal relationship with the Lord. But suffice to say, this is what God really wants, and if you would be willing enter in without any fear like Moses did, this will then be the beginning of a new and adventurous life with the Lord. Your relationship with God is the foundation of your prayer life.
Repentance is Important to the Christian Prayer Life
YOU ARE FORGIVEN -- BECAUSE OF JESUS CHRIST! Repent and be Forgiven by God!
REPENTANCE is an important part of a healthy prayer life. When you honestly repent of your sins, God forgives you and takes your sins as far from you "as the East is from the West"-Pslam 103).
Nothing you have done is beyond God's ability to forgive you. The devil wants you to wallow in guilt and run from God and the other ones you who love you. God wants to forgive you and truly set you free to love and be loved, to focus on the ones God has given you to love most fully in your family and your church family. God's forgiveness is a wonderful thing! But sometimes the hardest person to forgive is yourself. Pray that God might help you with forgiving yourself.
"For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God" (1 Peter 3:18). "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace" (Ephesians 1:7).
God's Forgiveness is a Wonderful Thing - He Paid the Price Himself
God hates sin, but He loves the sinner. The price for God's forgiveness is high, but He paid the price Himself. By Christ's loving act of grace, believers are eternally freed from the penalty and guilt of sin. Once we're covered by the Blood of Christ, God doesn't keep a record of our sins. Our forgiveness is total and complete.
"Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, who sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord doesn't count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit" (Psalm 32:1-2).
"I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more" (Isaiah 43:25).
"It is possible for the Lord to look at us without seeing our sins because when he forgave us, he removed our sins as far as the east is from the west" (Psalm 103:12).
So turn from you sin -- do not embrace it anymore. Cease and desist. And ask God to forgive you. Truly repent and be forgiven.
A believer receives God's forgiveness when he repents of sin and places his faith in Jesus Christ for salvation -- all of his sins are forgiven forever. That includes past, present and future, big or small. Jesus died to pay the penalty for all of our sins, and once they are forgiven, they are all forgiven (Colossians 1:14; Acts 10:43). However, when we stumble, we are called to confess our sins - "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). Yes, Christians do sin (1 John 1:8) - but the Christian life is not to be identified by a life of sin. Believers are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). We have the Holy Spirit in us producing good fruit (Galatians 5:22-23). A Christian life should be a changed life. A person who claims to be a believer yet continually lives a life that says otherwise should question the genuineness of his faith. Christians are forgiven no matter how many times they sin, but at the same time, Christians should live a progressively more holy life as they grow closer to Christ.
Christians continue to sin after they are saved - we will not be free from sin until we die or Jesus comes back. However, becoming a Christian results in a changed life (2 Corinthians 5:17). A person will go from producing the acts of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21) to producing the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). This change does not happen instantly, but it does happen over time. Paul tells us, "And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Corinthians 6:11).
REPENTANCE is an important part of a healthy prayer life. When you honestly repent of your sins, God forgives you and takes your sins as far from you "as the East is from the West"-Pslam 103).
Nothing you have done is beyond God's ability to forgive you. The devil wants you to wallow in guilt and run from God and the other ones you who love you. God wants to forgive you and truly set you free to love and be loved, to focus on the ones God has given you to love most fully in your family and your church family. God's forgiveness is a wonderful thing! But sometimes the hardest person to forgive is yourself. Pray that God might help you with forgiving yourself.
"For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God" (1 Peter 3:18). "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace" (Ephesians 1:7).
God's Forgiveness is a Wonderful Thing - He Paid the Price Himself
God hates sin, but He loves the sinner. The price for God's forgiveness is high, but He paid the price Himself. By Christ's loving act of grace, believers are eternally freed from the penalty and guilt of sin. Once we're covered by the Blood of Christ, God doesn't keep a record of our sins. Our forgiveness is total and complete.
"Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, who sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord doesn't count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit" (Psalm 32:1-2).
"I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more" (Isaiah 43:25).
"It is possible for the Lord to look at us without seeing our sins because when he forgave us, he removed our sins as far as the east is from the west" (Psalm 103:12).
So turn from you sin -- do not embrace it anymore. Cease and desist. And ask God to forgive you. Truly repent and be forgiven.
A believer receives God's forgiveness when he repents of sin and places his faith in Jesus Christ for salvation -- all of his sins are forgiven forever. That includes past, present and future, big or small. Jesus died to pay the penalty for all of our sins, and once they are forgiven, they are all forgiven (Colossians 1:14; Acts 10:43). However, when we stumble, we are called to confess our sins - "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). Yes, Christians do sin (1 John 1:8) - but the Christian life is not to be identified by a life of sin. Believers are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). We have the Holy Spirit in us producing good fruit (Galatians 5:22-23). A Christian life should be a changed life. A person who claims to be a believer yet continually lives a life that says otherwise should question the genuineness of his faith. Christians are forgiven no matter how many times they sin, but at the same time, Christians should live a progressively more holy life as they grow closer to Christ.
Christians continue to sin after they are saved - we will not be free from sin until we die or Jesus comes back. However, becoming a Christian results in a changed life (2 Corinthians 5:17). A person will go from producing the acts of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21) to producing the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). This change does not happen instantly, but it does happen over time. Paul tells us, "And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Corinthians 6:11).
Prayer Helps the Pray-er in More Ways Than We Can See
PRAYER CHANGES SITUATIONS -- AND IT CHANGES US!
Prayer is vital to the spiritual life of Christians. Many profess to be Christian and never pray. Others say their prayers go unanswered.
Christians pray. Prayer is talking to God. Do you know how to talk to God?
God is your Father. As His child, you must speak, talk—pray—to Him. This is far more important than you may realize.
Christ taught, “Pray after this manner.” What manner did He—and the Bible—teach?
The Bible is filled with accounts of answered prayers.
Moses pleaded with God to change His mind and not destroy rebellious, carnal-minded Israel (Num. 14:11-19). Hannah, who was barren, implored God to give her a child of her own (I Sam. 1:5-11). David beseeched God to forgive him for committing horrendous sins (Psa. 51). And before He was taken to be crucified, Jesus asked God to protect His disciples (John 17:6-11).
God answered their prayers. He will also answer yours.
But there are conditions. You must approach God HIS way, not your own. You need to know how to pray—when—how often—where—and what to pray for. The answers are in God’s Word.
Let's look at some of the conditions to answered prayer we find in the Bible. Other conditions will be covered or expanded upon later. But first notice we are to Ask in faith: You must believe—have faith. The apostle Paul wrote, “But without faith it is impossible to please [God]” (Heb. 11:6).
Why? Because “he who comes to God must BELIEVE that He is”—that God exists—“and that He is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (same verse). If you want God to answer your prayers, you must first believe that He exists and that He will hear you. That takes faith.
Christ said, “And all things, whatsoever you shall ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive” (Matt. 21:22).
The apostle James added, “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavers is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord” (James. 1:6-7).
But what is faith? Here is the Bible’s definition: “…faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1). Faith is your PROOF that God will deliver His promises—it is your GUARANTEE that You can depend on HIM, that in His Way He will come through for you.
God cannot lie (Heb. 6:18). He fulfills His promises. And He promises that if you faithfully turn to Him, He will turn to you (Zech. 1:3)—God will answer your prayers. Perhaps not the way we see it, or in the time we see it, adn sometimes He says NO for our own good, but He hears and answers the fervent prayers of righteous people (James 5:14-16).
We also see the need to Be diligent: When most people pray (to be healed, find a job, etc.), they ask God once, maybe twice, and then give up. But prauter is a continuing conversation with God, and being in God's presence in prayer can lift your own faith. So if something remains on your heart, you may continue to ask the Father until he shows you another way.
Be ebcouraged that our Lord Jesus Christ said, “ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him?” (Matt. 7:7-11; Luke 11:9-13).
Let God know that you are serious about your request. Keep in mind that He seldom answers prayers in the way or time frame most people expect. God does things His way, according to His timetable. If a matter is important to you, do not pray about it just once. It is okay to come to God again and again, not in a nagging way, but with sincere, heartfelt petitions. Be diligent. Sometimes praying helps the pray-er in more ways than we can see.
Prayer is vital to the spiritual life of Christians. Many profess to be Christian and never pray. Others say their prayers go unanswered.
Christians pray. Prayer is talking to God. Do you know how to talk to God?
God is your Father. As His child, you must speak, talk—pray—to Him. This is far more important than you may realize.
Christ taught, “Pray after this manner.” What manner did He—and the Bible—teach?
The Bible is filled with accounts of answered prayers.
Moses pleaded with God to change His mind and not destroy rebellious, carnal-minded Israel (Num. 14:11-19). Hannah, who was barren, implored God to give her a child of her own (I Sam. 1:5-11). David beseeched God to forgive him for committing horrendous sins (Psa. 51). And before He was taken to be crucified, Jesus asked God to protect His disciples (John 17:6-11).
God answered their prayers. He will also answer yours.
But there are conditions. You must approach God HIS way, not your own. You need to know how to pray—when—how often—where—and what to pray for. The answers are in God’s Word.
Let's look at some of the conditions to answered prayer we find in the Bible. Other conditions will be covered or expanded upon later. But first notice we are to Ask in faith: You must believe—have faith. The apostle Paul wrote, “But without faith it is impossible to please [God]” (Heb. 11:6).
Why? Because “he who comes to God must BELIEVE that He is”—that God exists—“and that He is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (same verse). If you want God to answer your prayers, you must first believe that He exists and that He will hear you. That takes faith.
Christ said, “And all things, whatsoever you shall ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive” (Matt. 21:22).
The apostle James added, “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavers is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord” (James. 1:6-7).
But what is faith? Here is the Bible’s definition: “…faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1). Faith is your PROOF that God will deliver His promises—it is your GUARANTEE that You can depend on HIM, that in His Way He will come through for you.
God cannot lie (Heb. 6:18). He fulfills His promises. And He promises that if you faithfully turn to Him, He will turn to you (Zech. 1:3)—God will answer your prayers. Perhaps not the way we see it, or in the time we see it, adn sometimes He says NO for our own good, but He hears and answers the fervent prayers of righteous people (James 5:14-16).
We also see the need to Be diligent: When most people pray (to be healed, find a job, etc.), they ask God once, maybe twice, and then give up. But prauter is a continuing conversation with God, and being in God's presence in prayer can lift your own faith. So if something remains on your heart, you may continue to ask the Father until he shows you another way.
Be ebcouraged that our Lord Jesus Christ said, “ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him?” (Matt. 7:7-11; Luke 11:9-13).
Let God know that you are serious about your request. Keep in mind that He seldom answers prayers in the way or time frame most people expect. God does things His way, according to His timetable. If a matter is important to you, do not pray about it just once. It is okay to come to God again and again, not in a nagging way, but with sincere, heartfelt petitions. Be diligent. Sometimes praying helps the pray-er in more ways than we can see.
Fill Yourself Up With the Word!
Fill yourself with the Word
How can a person stay pure to God? By obeying your Word and following its rules.
Psalm 119:9 NLT
"Let the Bible fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet."
Bible Teacher Henrietta Mears
A drunk meets a cop
Dawson Troter, founder of the Christian group Navigators, was student body president, basketball team captain, and class valedictorian when he was in high school. But then life fizzled out. He gambled, drank to excess, and caroused. He was staggering through the streets one night when a policeman stopped him, took his car keys, and asked, "Son, do you like this kind of life?" "Sir, I hate it," replied Trotman. Instead of arresting him for drunkenness, the policeman urged Dawson to change his life.
That encounter was a turning point. Dawson attended a church gathering were he was challenged to memorize ten Bible verses stressing salvation. Trotman memorized the verses, then memorized another ten the next week. Several weeks later, as he pondered the meaning of what he had learned, he quietly prayed, "Oh God, whatever it means to receive Jesus, I want to do it right now."
Trotman never got away from the power of the Word. As his knowledge of the Bible grew, he realized that a combination of prayer, worship, service, and the study of Scripture produced spiritual growth.
Dawson used every technique he knew to ensure that he'd do things God's way. He programmed God's Word into himself so that he could retrieve it at crucial points along the way. He recited God's Word aloud, reinforcing his learning. He studied and reflected on God's Word. All this transformed his character and kept him on the right path.
So fill yourself up with God's Word. It will transform you from the inside out!
How can a person stay pure to God? By obeying your Word and following its rules.
Psalm 119:9 NLT
"Let the Bible fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet."
Bible Teacher Henrietta Mears
A drunk meets a cop
Dawson Troter, founder of the Christian group Navigators, was student body president, basketball team captain, and class valedictorian when he was in high school. But then life fizzled out. He gambled, drank to excess, and caroused. He was staggering through the streets one night when a policeman stopped him, took his car keys, and asked, "Son, do you like this kind of life?" "Sir, I hate it," replied Trotman. Instead of arresting him for drunkenness, the policeman urged Dawson to change his life.
That encounter was a turning point. Dawson attended a church gathering were he was challenged to memorize ten Bible verses stressing salvation. Trotman memorized the verses, then memorized another ten the next week. Several weeks later, as he pondered the meaning of what he had learned, he quietly prayed, "Oh God, whatever it means to receive Jesus, I want to do it right now."
Trotman never got away from the power of the Word. As his knowledge of the Bible grew, he realized that a combination of prayer, worship, service, and the study of Scripture produced spiritual growth.
Dawson used every technique he knew to ensure that he'd do things God's way. He programmed God's Word into himself so that he could retrieve it at crucial points along the way. He recited God's Word aloud, reinforcing his learning. He studied and reflected on God's Word. All this transformed his character and kept him on the right path.
So fill yourself up with God's Word. It will transform you from the inside out!
The Day the Sun Stood Still -- Radically Tursting God
"So the sun stood still and the moon stayed in place until the nation of Israel had defeated its enemies." Joshua 10:13a (NLT)
Do you need more time in your day? Has there ever been a day when you needed just a little more light to accomplish your task? If you need time, ask God for it. Time is in His hands.
In this verse we find Joshua in need for a little more time in his day. Joshua and the Israelite armies are in battle against five combined Amorite armies to conquer the land allotted to them after crossing the Jordan. Joshua and his men are tired. The warring for the land has been intense. As the leader, Joshua decides to travel all night for a surprise attack. We find Joshua asking God to hold the sun and moon still.
It might be that God is calling you to radically trust Him with your time and get up early each morning to spend time in prayer and in His Word. You might wonder, “How can I do this?” You can ask God to help you by adjusting your time to walk in obedience to Him as well as take care of all my other responsibilities.
Our problem is not that we don’t want to know God better through prayer and His Word. The problem is in believing we can manage our time better than He can. But we need to trust God for the little details of day-to-day living so we can tithe the first fruits of our days to God. I often pray in closing meetings that God will multiply time given to him back to those gathered around the table.
Do you believe God has a plan for you today? You can call on God like Joshua to “let the sun and moon stand still” so that you can accomplish what He has ordained for you to accomplish. Desire to be at peace with His timing; and not just be caught up in frantic activity to complete your checklists. God is the great I AM, and the Creator of time. Will you trust Him to hold your time in His nailed-scarred hands?
Do you need more time in your day? Has there ever been a day when you needed just a little more light to accomplish your task? If you need time, ask God for it. Time is in His hands.
In this verse we find Joshua in need for a little more time in his day. Joshua and the Israelite armies are in battle against five combined Amorite armies to conquer the land allotted to them after crossing the Jordan. Joshua and his men are tired. The warring for the land has been intense. As the leader, Joshua decides to travel all night for a surprise attack. We find Joshua asking God to hold the sun and moon still.
It might be that God is calling you to radically trust Him with your time and get up early each morning to spend time in prayer and in His Word. You might wonder, “How can I do this?” You can ask God to help you by adjusting your time to walk in obedience to Him as well as take care of all my other responsibilities.
Our problem is not that we don’t want to know God better through prayer and His Word. The problem is in believing we can manage our time better than He can. But we need to trust God for the little details of day-to-day living so we can tithe the first fruits of our days to God. I often pray in closing meetings that God will multiply time given to him back to those gathered around the table.
Do you believe God has a plan for you today? You can call on God like Joshua to “let the sun and moon stand still” so that you can accomplish what He has ordained for you to accomplish. Desire to be at peace with His timing; and not just be caught up in frantic activity to complete your checklists. God is the great I AM, and the Creator of time. Will you trust Him to hold your time in His nailed-scarred hands?
Every Great Work of the Church Begins With Prayer -- Change Our Hearts, O God
It is ttue thatEvery great work in the Church begins with someone on their knees. We must Tap into the power of God through prayer. It is also true that Prayer changes the pray-er. One of the most important and valuable ways that God answers our prayers is by changing our hearts.
The hymn (chorus) Change My Heart, O God contains these words: “Change my heart. O God, make it ever true. Change my heart, O God, may I be like You. You are the Potter, I am the clay; mold me and make me, this is what I pray. Change my heart, O God, make it ever true. Change my heart, O God, may I be like You.”
Here we see truth based on scripture, and a spiritual insight that directs my thoughts to God. Language has great power in our lives to shape and inform our reality. Matthew 12:34 and Luke 6:45 remind us of Jesus’ teaching that out of the abundance of the heart come the words that we speak. Our meditation and prayers in both word and song shape our thoughts and shape the way we believe and speak and act. James 5:16 reminds us that the prayer of the righteous has great power in its effects.
One of the most powerful effects of the prayer of faith is to change us as we pray to be more like Jesus.
The hymn (chorus) Change My Heart, O God contains these words: “Change my heart. O God, make it ever true. Change my heart, O God, may I be like You. You are the Potter, I am the clay; mold me and make me, this is what I pray. Change my heart, O God, make it ever true. Change my heart, O God, may I be like You.”
Here we see truth based on scripture, and a spiritual insight that directs my thoughts to God. Language has great power in our lives to shape and inform our reality. Matthew 12:34 and Luke 6:45 remind us of Jesus’ teaching that out of the abundance of the heart come the words that we speak. Our meditation and prayers in both word and song shape our thoughts and shape the way we believe and speak and act. James 5:16 reminds us that the prayer of the righteous has great power in its effects.
One of the most powerful effects of the prayer of faith is to change us as we pray to be more like Jesus.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Moving from Believing to Knowing -- Getting to That Place of Knowledge Where We Act Upon His Word as Ultimate Fact!
Knowing God and God's Ways -- Getting to that Place of Knowledge Where We Act on His Word as Ultimate Fact
As we grow as Christians we move from believing, which is the first, primary step, to knowing, which is accepting what we believe as fact and acting on it appropriately. Many people believe that there is a God. They believe that God has a plan for their life. They believe that all things work together for the good of those who love him, but these very same people have not yet grown to the place where they accept these beliefs as a fact and act on them.
There is a major difference between knowing and believing. The Bible tells us that we must believe that God is and that He is the rewarded of those who perform his will. On many other occasions, the Bible talks about believing in order to be saved. Belief is so important. "Lord, help my unbelief," is an important prayer, But we must take our faith beyond belief to knowing. Knowledge of God and God's promises will bring you a new freedom in faith, a new adventure in living, as you receive the blessings God has stored up for you since Jesus purchased them on the cross 2000 years ago.
Friendship is an example that helps us understand. We all have friends and people we trust. For most of us, we believe they are our friends in the good times. But if and when something happens, that is when we find out who our friends truly are. Another example is credit score. We can believe that we have a good score or a bad score, but until we run the report we will not truly know. There is a difference between knowing something with certainty and simply believing. When you get that certainty, tour actions become automatic. That is how God wants us to be with the things of God.
When we get to that knowing area, our prayers are more effective. Knowing makes the difference when you lose your job and you ask God why did He let this happen, instead of where are you taking me. Knowing is what makes the difference when you are faced with a difficult situation and you ask God "why did you let this happen to me," instead you ask, "Okay Lord, what am I supposed to learn from this?"
Knowing God is essential to Christian growth. Too much of Christianity is based on belief in God rather than knowing God. Some of you may say this is just semantics. It is not. Consider people who have lost their faith. Is that even possible? Can anyone truly lose their faith? I don’t believe so. How can anyone lose faith in something they know to be true? You can’t. People lose faith in things they simply believe in. The reason many people lose faith and leave the church is because they simply believed in God and somewhere down the road, they were persuaded otherwise.
Some will say all you have to do is believe; no one can know. That is not true. God never intended for us to know him by testing him in a lab. We know God because he will reveal himself to us. Scripture clearly tells us that we are supposed to know. After Jesus reappeared to prove to Thomas that He has risen, he said, “blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29). The night before Jesus was arrested He explicitly told the disciples how we who will not see Him will know that God is who he says he is. He said, “The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live” (John 14:17-19).
In order for us to preserve the church, we must teach people to know God and go beyond simply believing. We must know that he loves us and of his plans for our lives. This knowing should not be based on an intellectual knowing but on the indwelling Holy Spirit, which Jesus left as our comforter. God did not call us to have an abstract belief concerning him, he called us to know him.
As we grow as Christians we move from believing, which is the first, primary step, to knowing, which is accepting what we believe as fact and acting on it appropriately. Many people believe that there is a God. They believe that God has a plan for their life. They believe that all things work together for the good of those who love him, but these very same people have not yet grown to the place where they accept these beliefs as a fact and act on them.
There is a major difference between knowing and believing. The Bible tells us that we must believe that God is and that He is the rewarded of those who perform his will. On many other occasions, the Bible talks about believing in order to be saved. Belief is so important. "Lord, help my unbelief," is an important prayer, But we must take our faith beyond belief to knowing. Knowledge of God and God's promises will bring you a new freedom in faith, a new adventure in living, as you receive the blessings God has stored up for you since Jesus purchased them on the cross 2000 years ago.
Friendship is an example that helps us understand. We all have friends and people we trust. For most of us, we believe they are our friends in the good times. But if and when something happens, that is when we find out who our friends truly are. Another example is credit score. We can believe that we have a good score or a bad score, but until we run the report we will not truly know. There is a difference between knowing something with certainty and simply believing. When you get that certainty, tour actions become automatic. That is how God wants us to be with the things of God.
When we get to that knowing area, our prayers are more effective. Knowing makes the difference when you lose your job and you ask God why did He let this happen, instead of where are you taking me. Knowing is what makes the difference when you are faced with a difficult situation and you ask God "why did you let this happen to me," instead you ask, "Okay Lord, what am I supposed to learn from this?"
Knowing God is essential to Christian growth. Too much of Christianity is based on belief in God rather than knowing God. Some of you may say this is just semantics. It is not. Consider people who have lost their faith. Is that even possible? Can anyone truly lose their faith? I don’t believe so. How can anyone lose faith in something they know to be true? You can’t. People lose faith in things they simply believe in. The reason many people lose faith and leave the church is because they simply believed in God and somewhere down the road, they were persuaded otherwise.
Some will say all you have to do is believe; no one can know. That is not true. God never intended for us to know him by testing him in a lab. We know God because he will reveal himself to us. Scripture clearly tells us that we are supposed to know. After Jesus reappeared to prove to Thomas that He has risen, he said, “blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29). The night before Jesus was arrested He explicitly told the disciples how we who will not see Him will know that God is who he says he is. He said, “The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live” (John 14:17-19).
In order for us to preserve the church, we must teach people to know God and go beyond simply believing. We must know that he loves us and of his plans for our lives. This knowing should not be based on an intellectual knowing but on the indwelling Holy Spirit, which Jesus left as our comforter. God did not call us to have an abstract belief concerning him, he called us to know him.
Psalm 46:10: Be Still and Know He is God -- Have Some Quiet Times with Him!
Here are a few ways to spend some quality quiet times with God:
HAVE A QUIET TIME WITH ONE OF YOUR CHILDREN or grandchildren. This would probably include reading a passage from the Bible out loud. You can give children a powerful peek into your relationship with Christ by inviting them to share your regular time with God. As you ask them questions about what they see in the passage, you'll teach them to think more deeply about God's Word. Their responses and observations may surprise you, stretch you, and enrich your own perspective.
WRITE ABOUT YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD from a different point of view. Think about how someone else would describe your walk. For example, my teen son might say, "My mom has a radical walk with Jesus. She really got pegged (convicted) by this verse." Several friends from the mission field explained how this activity helped them communicate the parable of the sower to the tribe they worked with. In their translation work, they described the seed that grew as the one that fell on "mulchy" soil. In that tribe, the best heart is one that resembles a compost pile. When you consider your walk and God's Word from the perspective of another, you will think differently, cross cultural barriers, and gain a fresh view of god.
MEMORIZE ONE OF THE PRAYERS of the Bible, such a Mary's prayer in Lk. 1:46–55. Then act the prayer out as a soliloquy. Or how about one of the prayers of Paul in Ephesians 1 or 3?
WRITE OUT A LIST of theological questions you'd like answered. Choose one and begin researching it. "God, what is in your heart toward women?" was a question I had that led me on an exhaustive study of all the women in the Bible, and all the verses with the words woman and women in them.
ABIDING DAILY Remember, the purpose of all these ideas is to enhance your relationship with God and your intimacy with Him during your quiet time. The goal is to abide ever more in Him. As Fern Nichols, the founder of Moms in Touch, says, "If you seek to abide in the vine daily, you never know what day He might choose to change you life forever." Enjoy the adventure of time with God!
HAVE A QUIET TIME WITH ONE OF YOUR CHILDREN or grandchildren. This would probably include reading a passage from the Bible out loud. You can give children a powerful peek into your relationship with Christ by inviting them to share your regular time with God. As you ask them questions about what they see in the passage, you'll teach them to think more deeply about God's Word. Their responses and observations may surprise you, stretch you, and enrich your own perspective.
WRITE ABOUT YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD from a different point of view. Think about how someone else would describe your walk. For example, my teen son might say, "My mom has a radical walk with Jesus. She really got pegged (convicted) by this verse." Several friends from the mission field explained how this activity helped them communicate the parable of the sower to the tribe they worked with. In their translation work, they described the seed that grew as the one that fell on "mulchy" soil. In that tribe, the best heart is one that resembles a compost pile. When you consider your walk and God's Word from the perspective of another, you will think differently, cross cultural barriers, and gain a fresh view of god.
MEMORIZE ONE OF THE PRAYERS of the Bible, such a Mary's prayer in Lk. 1:46–55. Then act the prayer out as a soliloquy. Or how about one of the prayers of Paul in Ephesians 1 or 3?
WRITE OUT A LIST of theological questions you'd like answered. Choose one and begin researching it. "God, what is in your heart toward women?" was a question I had that led me on an exhaustive study of all the women in the Bible, and all the verses with the words woman and women in them.
ABIDING DAILY Remember, the purpose of all these ideas is to enhance your relationship with God and your intimacy with Him during your quiet time. The goal is to abide ever more in Him. As Fern Nichols, the founder of Moms in Touch, says, "If you seek to abide in the vine daily, you never know what day He might choose to change you life forever." Enjoy the adventure of time with God!
We Are Easter People -- And Our Lord is Coming Again!
PRAYER CHANGES THINGS!
Think on this promise: Christ will return -- let that FACT encourage your faith journey and prayer life!
A heavenly vision from the Bible --
"After I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white and held palm branches in their hands. And they were shouting with a mighty shout, "Salvation comes from our God on the throne and from the Lamb!" Revelation 7:9-10 NLT
Heavenly praise for the Lamb
Many times our prayers tend to focus on this world and the struggles we encounter in our lives. God understands and accepts these prayers, but we must also direct our thoughts and prayers to the victory we will share with Christ. In Revelation, God gives us a splendid portrayal of that final victory. In a vision, the apostle John sees a magnificent scene: a vast multitude celebrating the triumph of the Lamb of God. Waving palm branches, the traditional symbol of victory, people from all over the world extol God for the salvation he had provided through his Son.
As followers of Christ, today, we are privileged to be part of this multitude—the communion of believers. Because Jesus has overcome death, a new life of wholeness and peace through him has opened up to us. This is worth shouting about—praising God with all that is in us! Do not wait until you get to heaven before you start to praise the Lord!
We are Easter people, persons of the resurrection, and we should be filled with hope, not despair. Never forget it! Our hope comes from the promises of Christ! If you get to feeling down, just look up, and think of Jesus coming in the clouds, as He one day will return.
Think on this promise: Christ will return -- let that FACT encourage your faith journey and prayer life!
A heavenly vision from the Bible --
"After I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white and held palm branches in their hands. And they were shouting with a mighty shout, "Salvation comes from our God on the throne and from the Lamb!" Revelation 7:9-10 NLT
Heavenly praise for the Lamb
Many times our prayers tend to focus on this world and the struggles we encounter in our lives. God understands and accepts these prayers, but we must also direct our thoughts and prayers to the victory we will share with Christ. In Revelation, God gives us a splendid portrayal of that final victory. In a vision, the apostle John sees a magnificent scene: a vast multitude celebrating the triumph of the Lamb of God. Waving palm branches, the traditional symbol of victory, people from all over the world extol God for the salvation he had provided through his Son.
As followers of Christ, today, we are privileged to be part of this multitude—the communion of believers. Because Jesus has overcome death, a new life of wholeness and peace through him has opened up to us. This is worth shouting about—praising God with all that is in us! Do not wait until you get to heaven before you start to praise the Lord!
We are Easter people, persons of the resurrection, and we should be filled with hope, not despair. Never forget it! Our hope comes from the promises of Christ! If you get to feeling down, just look up, and think of Jesus coming in the clouds, as He one day will return.
The Golden Promises of the Bible Are Activated By Our Prayers
[Jesus told them,] "Now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven." Luke 24:19
"Though the Bible be crowded with golden promises from board to board, yet they will be inoperative until we turn them into prayer. " F. B. Meyer (1847-1929)
Golden promises
Before Jesus sent out the disciples to take the message of the gospel to all nations, he assured them of his promise to send the Holy Spirit. That promise motivated them to continue with one accord in prayer (Acts 1:14). God's promises are provided to stir us and inspire us to pray. Those precious promises—there are hundreds throughout the Bible—show us things God has purposed and wants us to ask for, just as he wanted his disciples to ask for the Holy Spirit so they would have power for ministry. These golden promises teach us about how to pray, and they build our faith.
"If I am to have faith when I pray," said American evangelist R.A. Torrey, "I must find some promise in the Word of God on which to rest my faith.…If there is no promise in the Word of God, and no clear leading of the Spirit, there can be no real faith." Today, ask the Lord which of his promises he wants you to pray about. The Holy Spirit will fill you with power from on high to accomplish what needs to be done.
THANK YOU, FATHER, for the promises in your word. May they be incentives for me to continue in prayer so that your will may be accomplished and your kingdom will come in my life, family, nation, and world. Holy Spirit, thank you for dwelling within me and for filling me with your power. Let my prayers be pleasing to you, Father, as your Spirit leads me in praying in light of your promises.
"Though the Bible be crowded with golden promises from board to board, yet they will be inoperative until we turn them into prayer. " F. B. Meyer (1847-1929)
Golden promises
Before Jesus sent out the disciples to take the message of the gospel to all nations, he assured them of his promise to send the Holy Spirit. That promise motivated them to continue with one accord in prayer (Acts 1:14). God's promises are provided to stir us and inspire us to pray. Those precious promises—there are hundreds throughout the Bible—show us things God has purposed and wants us to ask for, just as he wanted his disciples to ask for the Holy Spirit so they would have power for ministry. These golden promises teach us about how to pray, and they build our faith.
"If I am to have faith when I pray," said American evangelist R.A. Torrey, "I must find some promise in the Word of God on which to rest my faith.…If there is no promise in the Word of God, and no clear leading of the Spirit, there can be no real faith." Today, ask the Lord which of his promises he wants you to pray about. The Holy Spirit will fill you with power from on high to accomplish what needs to be done.
THANK YOU, FATHER, for the promises in your word. May they be incentives for me to continue in prayer so that your will may be accomplished and your kingdom will come in my life, family, nation, and world. Holy Spirit, thank you for dwelling within me and for filling me with your power. Let my prayers be pleasing to you, Father, as your Spirit leads me in praying in light of your promises.
Six Ways to Jump Start Your Prayer Life!
Six Ways to Jump Start Your Prayer Life if you seem to be coasting a bit -- Here comes some enthusiasm in these practices!
1.. SPEND YOUR ENTIRE TIME WITH GOD SINGING and praising Him. Church hymnals and books of choruses are great resources to enliven your quiet time with personal worship. You might even try creating a song of your own!
2. DANCE BEFORE THE LORD like David, who danced "with all his might" (2 Sam. 6:14). David's dancing was a heartfelt and spontaneous expression of rejoicing. So put on your favorite hymn or praise song, and dance away. Interpretive dance is a wonderful way to express your heart and soul in praise before God. If you enjoy Jewish folk dancing, ballet, or some other kind of dance, dedicate your talent to God. When you are alone with God, you can move beyond any embarassment you might feel if someone else was around. Just let go and enjoy God!
3. WRITE DOWN EVERY SIN that continues to haunt you. Then write 1 Jn. 1:9 over each sin. Destroy the list—God has. This is a strong visual reminder of how God blots out your sin.
4. WRITE OUT a Philippians 4:8 list. What is lovely to you, worthy of praise, excellent, etc.? Hang the list in a place where you tend to be grumpy, such as above the washer and dryer or on the dashboard of your car for that frustrating commute!
5. PRAY IN A POSTURE you don't normally use. Try praying on your knees, prone, or standing with your face to the heavens and your hands raised in worship. It's amazing how simply changing your posture before God can change your attitude and help you experience Him in new ways.
6. READ A DIFFERENT TRANSLATION of the Bible. I started doing this one again yesterday, and am struggling with the Psalms in The Message paraphrase. I trust I will grow to appreciate the insights as I grow more confident in moving beyond the familiar memories of Psalms I know so well and love. You might consider purchasing a Bible that has several translations in parallel. Reading a new translation or comparing different ones can stimulate new insights into Scripture. If you've used and marked up one particular Bible for many years, reading a different Bible will enable you to see the Word with new vision. Because your eyes will not be drawn to notes and highlighted passages from previous study or devotional reading, the Scriptures will feel as beautiful and inviting as a fresh snowfall on a crisp winter morn.
1.. SPEND YOUR ENTIRE TIME WITH GOD SINGING and praising Him. Church hymnals and books of choruses are great resources to enliven your quiet time with personal worship. You might even try creating a song of your own!
2. DANCE BEFORE THE LORD like David, who danced "with all his might" (2 Sam. 6:14). David's dancing was a heartfelt and spontaneous expression of rejoicing. So put on your favorite hymn or praise song, and dance away. Interpretive dance is a wonderful way to express your heart and soul in praise before God. If you enjoy Jewish folk dancing, ballet, or some other kind of dance, dedicate your talent to God. When you are alone with God, you can move beyond any embarassment you might feel if someone else was around. Just let go and enjoy God!
3. WRITE DOWN EVERY SIN that continues to haunt you. Then write 1 Jn. 1:9 over each sin. Destroy the list—God has. This is a strong visual reminder of how God blots out your sin.
4. WRITE OUT a Philippians 4:8 list. What is lovely to you, worthy of praise, excellent, etc.? Hang the list in a place where you tend to be grumpy, such as above the washer and dryer or on the dashboard of your car for that frustrating commute!
5. PRAY IN A POSTURE you don't normally use. Try praying on your knees, prone, or standing with your face to the heavens and your hands raised in worship. It's amazing how simply changing your posture before God can change your attitude and help you experience Him in new ways.
6. READ A DIFFERENT TRANSLATION of the Bible. I started doing this one again yesterday, and am struggling with the Psalms in The Message paraphrase. I trust I will grow to appreciate the insights as I grow more confident in moving beyond the familiar memories of Psalms I know so well and love. You might consider purchasing a Bible that has several translations in parallel. Reading a new translation or comparing different ones can stimulate new insights into Scripture. If you've used and marked up one particular Bible for many years, reading a different Bible will enable you to see the Word with new vision. Because your eyes will not be drawn to notes and highlighted passages from previous study or devotional reading, the Scriptures will feel as beautiful and inviting as a fresh snowfall on a crisp winter morn.
Write a Letter to God -- The Bible is His Love Letter to You! Or Go on a Praise Walk, Praising Your Cares Away!
Behind closed doors, many of us yawn through our quiet times. Somehow, our routine time with God slowly and quietly degenerates into a boring, predictable rut. As spiritual cataracts grow over our sleepy eyes, we may grow disinterested and frustrated. Such seasons demand a fresh view of the creator. Like any good relationship, quiet times with god need a little variety. Instead of rolling over and hitting the snooze button, try one of these ideas for your next quiet time.
1. WRITE A LETTER TO GOD about your life. Give it to a friend to mail hack to you in three months. In the letter, talk to God about the areas of your life that are bothering you. Write about how you'd like to grow and what attribute of His you'd like to see more clearly.
2. WRITE OUT AND PERSONALIZE Scripture by inserting your name into promises relevant to your life or current struggles. For example, I would personalize Ps. 84:11 in this way: "No good thing does God withhold from Pam when she walks uprightly." Many of the Bible's promises come to life and seem more powerful and relevant when personalized in this way Spend some time meditating and praying over verses that you personalize. I once copied a set of verses and strung them together as a personalized love letter from God's heart to my own. I have it framed and hanging in my room. Those personalized verses help me keep a trig view of God.
3. GO ON A PRAISE WALK. Thank God for everything you see. Take the opportunity to look closely at God's creation, praising Him for His creativity and the beauty of the world He's crafted. After hiking for a while, find a quiet spot to read one of the many psalms that describe His creation. Isaiah 40 and Genesis 1 are two other chapters that will help you focus your heart and mind on God's creative character.
1. WRITE A LETTER TO GOD about your life. Give it to a friend to mail hack to you in three months. In the letter, talk to God about the areas of your life that are bothering you. Write about how you'd like to grow and what attribute of His you'd like to see more clearly.
2. WRITE OUT AND PERSONALIZE Scripture by inserting your name into promises relevant to your life or current struggles. For example, I would personalize Ps. 84:11 in this way: "No good thing does God withhold from Pam when she walks uprightly." Many of the Bible's promises come to life and seem more powerful and relevant when personalized in this way Spend some time meditating and praying over verses that you personalize. I once copied a set of verses and strung them together as a personalized love letter from God's heart to my own. I have it framed and hanging in my room. Those personalized verses help me keep a trig view of God.
3. GO ON A PRAISE WALK. Thank God for everything you see. Take the opportunity to look closely at God's creation, praising Him for His creativity and the beauty of the world He's crafted. After hiking for a while, find a quiet spot to read one of the many psalms that describe His creation. Isaiah 40 and Genesis 1 are two other chapters that will help you focus your heart and mind on God's creative character.
Base Your Prayer Life on the Firm Foundation of the Living Word of God!
PRAYER CHANGES THINGS AND STRENGTHENS THE ONE WHO PRAYS
THE WORD OF GOD IS POWERFUL AND LIVING, BRINGING LIFE!
Here are seven major power verses showing you how much supernatural life and power there really is in the Word of God. Base Your Prayer Life on the Word of God!
"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)
"So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:11)
"Is not My word like a fire?" says the Lord, "And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?" (Jeremiah 23:29)
"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life" (John 6:63)
"This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life." (Psalm 119:50)
But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.' " (Matthew 4:4)
"... as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious." (1 Peter 2:2)
Do not neglect reading and hearing of the Word of God each day. Do not miss a filling on the word at your filling station, the church, where the Word of God is preached.
Reading and studying GOd's word is a powerful practice for Christians. The actual words of the Bible are anointed by the Holy Spirit Himself - and they have the full ability to completely change and transform you if you are willing to work with the truths that are contained in the actual words.
Jesus says in the Bible that you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free. However, you first have to know what the truth is before the truth can start to work to set you free.
This is why Kind David said we must meditate on the words of the Bible - so we can find out what their true meaning is and how these truths can apply to our daily lives. Meditating on the Bible means to think about, to chew on, to allow the Holy Spirit to give you meaning for your life and the lives of your loved ones and Christian friends.
In one Book, God has given us everything we need to know about Himself, His Son Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the basics of our salvation through the death of His Son, how He wants us to live this life, the things He wants us doing and the things that He does not want us doing. It is a Book of Life and Victory, of love and caring from God's heart to us.
THE WORD OF GOD IS POWERFUL AND LIVING, BRINGING LIFE!
Here are seven major power verses showing you how much supernatural life and power there really is in the Word of God. Base Your Prayer Life on the Word of God!
"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)
"So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:11)
"Is not My word like a fire?" says the Lord, "And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?" (Jeremiah 23:29)
"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life" (John 6:63)
"This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life." (Psalm 119:50)
But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.' " (Matthew 4:4)
"... as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious." (1 Peter 2:2)
Do not neglect reading and hearing of the Word of God each day. Do not miss a filling on the word at your filling station, the church, where the Word of God is preached.
Reading and studying GOd's word is a powerful practice for Christians. The actual words of the Bible are anointed by the Holy Spirit Himself - and they have the full ability to completely change and transform you if you are willing to work with the truths that are contained in the actual words.
Jesus says in the Bible that you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free. However, you first have to know what the truth is before the truth can start to work to set you free.
This is why Kind David said we must meditate on the words of the Bible - so we can find out what their true meaning is and how these truths can apply to our daily lives. Meditating on the Bible means to think about, to chew on, to allow the Holy Spirit to give you meaning for your life and the lives of your loved ones and Christian friends.
In one Book, God has given us everything we need to know about Himself, His Son Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the basics of our salvation through the death of His Son, how He wants us to live this life, the things He wants us doing and the things that He does not want us doing. It is a Book of Life and Victory, of love and caring from God's heart to us.
Bloom Where You Are Planted -- Bloom for Jesus Christ!
Bloom Where You Are Planted!
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Blessings to you in His mighty name.
As we are in the spring and planting is near, the phrase bloom where you are planted comes to mind. As I flew home from Kansas City yesterday I saw many fields below the plane where tilling had been done and the ground was ready for the seed. These crops will bloom where they are planted, if they get the nutrient and nurture they need.
How goes it with you? Are you blooming where God has planted you? Are you bringing forth a good yield? Are you being fruitful and productive for the Lord?
Could it be you need more nutrients? (the Word in church and study, prayer, fellowship with Christians, etc.) Could it be that you need more nurture? (teaching by the pastor and church leaders, the guidance and empowerment of the Holy Spirit, the care of a Christian family in addition to your natural family, the care of God that comes from being in His presence and worshipping Him in Spirit and in Truth).
Could it be that you need some weeding, to get toxic things (sin, disobedience, apathy) out of your life? Could it be that you need more light (from the Son) and more water (from the Living Water of the Holy Spirit)? If so, go to the Light and Water station that is your church every time you can and get filled up and warmed from the inside out.
Are you blooming for God? A blooming Christian is the opposite of a "blooming idiot" for the wisest thing you can do in your life is to give yourself to God and let Him help you to grow for Him.
So I urge you to bloom where you are planted for Jesus!
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Blessings to you in His mighty name.
As we are in the spring and planting is near, the phrase bloom where you are planted comes to mind. As I flew home from Kansas City yesterday I saw many fields below the plane where tilling had been done and the ground was ready for the seed. These crops will bloom where they are planted, if they get the nutrient and nurture they need.
How goes it with you? Are you blooming where God has planted you? Are you bringing forth a good yield? Are you being fruitful and productive for the Lord?
Could it be you need more nutrients? (the Word in church and study, prayer, fellowship with Christians, etc.) Could it be that you need more nurture? (teaching by the pastor and church leaders, the guidance and empowerment of the Holy Spirit, the care of a Christian family in addition to your natural family, the care of God that comes from being in His presence and worshipping Him in Spirit and in Truth).
Could it be that you need some weeding, to get toxic things (sin, disobedience, apathy) out of your life? Could it be that you need more light (from the Son) and more water (from the Living Water of the Holy Spirit)? If so, go to the Light and Water station that is your church every time you can and get filled up and warmed from the inside out.
Are you blooming for God? A blooming Christian is the opposite of a "blooming idiot" for the wisest thing you can do in your life is to give yourself to God and let Him help you to grow for Him.
So I urge you to bloom where you are planted for Jesus!
Patiently Seek God's Face -- Learn to Wait Upon the Lord in Prayer
Through your precepts I get understanding…Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105.
Do you pray for direction, and hear nothing? Do you wonder if God even heard your prayers? You are not alone. Often we pour out our hearts in prayer, seeking His will; hearing nothing. God is silent. Not wanting to wait, we tend to forge ahead on our own. Yet, when I examine Scripture, God consistently teaches us to sit, pray, and wait.
Jesus began His ministry by fasting forty days alone in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). He spent an entire night alone in prayer before choosing g His twelve disciples (Luke 6:12). Esther fasted and prayed for three days before she took the bold and courageous step of going before the king on behalf of her people, knowing it could mean her death (Esther 4:8-16). Elijah was in the wilderness for forty days and heard the “still small voice” (1 Kings 19:11-18).
What do these great people of faith teach us? To know God's leading, to hear His voice, we must listen and wait. Maybe we think God is silent because we never take the time to sit in God's Word and wait. When we do, He promises it will penetrate us to the marrow of our bones, to the deepest places in our heart. Hebrews 4:12 says, “The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
When we choose to get alone with God, He promises to meet us there. Jeremiah 29:13-14 says, “You will seek me and find me. When you seek me with all your heart, I will be found by you, declares the Lord.”
Do you pray for direction, and hear nothing? Do you wonder if God even heard your prayers? You are not alone. Often we pour out our hearts in prayer, seeking His will; hearing nothing. God is silent. Not wanting to wait, we tend to forge ahead on our own. Yet, when I examine Scripture, God consistently teaches us to sit, pray, and wait.
Jesus began His ministry by fasting forty days alone in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). He spent an entire night alone in prayer before choosing g His twelve disciples (Luke 6:12). Esther fasted and prayed for three days before she took the bold and courageous step of going before the king on behalf of her people, knowing it could mean her death (Esther 4:8-16). Elijah was in the wilderness for forty days and heard the “still small voice” (1 Kings 19:11-18).
What do these great people of faith teach us? To know God's leading, to hear His voice, we must listen and wait. Maybe we think God is silent because we never take the time to sit in God's Word and wait. When we do, He promises it will penetrate us to the marrow of our bones, to the deepest places in our heart. Hebrews 4:12 says, “The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
When we choose to get alone with God, He promises to meet us there. Jeremiah 29:13-14 says, “You will seek me and find me. When you seek me with all your heart, I will be found by you, declares the Lord.”
Setting Your Mind on God and His Purposes in Prayer
"Now set your mind and heart to seek (inquire of and require as your vital necessity) the Lord your God.” (I Chronicles 22:19, AMP).
The Amplified version amplifies certain key thoughts, in this case the word “seek.” Make a special emphasis in your prayers this week to truly seek after the Lord. Meditate on some of God’s qualities and listen for Him speaking in your life.
Turn your mind to the greatness and goodness of God as He supplies our lives with blessings in abundance. As we look around outside, brown is still a dominant color, but just a little seeking points out more and more green- in the grass, flowers and first growth poking up through the ground, buds pushing out on the trees. In the same way, seek (look for as a vital necessity) signs of God’s hand of blessing at work in your life.
Have you “set your mind” today? In other words, when you woke up this morning, did you make the decision to focus on good things and to follow God with all your heart? If we don’t set our minds, if we don’t purposely focus our thoughts and energy, then chances are, we’ll be bombarded by the cares of life. We’ll be tossed back and forth by every situation we encounter. We’ll be distracted by every phone call, upset by the traffic, offended by what someone said, and we’ll get off the course God intended.
We’ve all heard it said that the best defense is a good offense. When you proactively set your thoughts, you are putting yourself on the offense. You are taking charge of your life. You are being an on-purpose person. You’re redeeming the time. Make the decision today to set your mind on things above. Set your mind on God’s eternal purposes so that you can stand in the victory He has for you.
The Amplified version amplifies certain key thoughts, in this case the word “seek.” Make a special emphasis in your prayers this week to truly seek after the Lord. Meditate on some of God’s qualities and listen for Him speaking in your life.
Turn your mind to the greatness and goodness of God as He supplies our lives with blessings in abundance. As we look around outside, brown is still a dominant color, but just a little seeking points out more and more green- in the grass, flowers and first growth poking up through the ground, buds pushing out on the trees. In the same way, seek (look for as a vital necessity) signs of God’s hand of blessing at work in your life.
Have you “set your mind” today? In other words, when you woke up this morning, did you make the decision to focus on good things and to follow God with all your heart? If we don’t set our minds, if we don’t purposely focus our thoughts and energy, then chances are, we’ll be bombarded by the cares of life. We’ll be tossed back and forth by every situation we encounter. We’ll be distracted by every phone call, upset by the traffic, offended by what someone said, and we’ll get off the course God intended.
We’ve all heard it said that the best defense is a good offense. When you proactively set your thoughts, you are putting yourself on the offense. You are taking charge of your life. You are being an on-purpose person. You’re redeeming the time. Make the decision today to set your mind on things above. Set your mind on God’s eternal purposes so that you can stand in the victory He has for you.
A Good Prayer to Pray -- "Send Forth Your Light and Your Truth and Let Them Guide Me" Psalm 43:3
"Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell." Psalm 43:3 (The following thoughts are from Glynnis Whitwer- Proverbs 31)
I live in a valley. Every direction I look there are mountains. Living in the West, my family also vacations in mountains. Because of that, it seems I spend lots of time in valleys. One truth I've learned is if you keep walking, you will eventually get out. One summer we took a trip to Bryce Canyon. It was warm outside, and got warmer as we headed down into the canyon. It was a great hike as we circled the interesting rock spires called hoodoos. We wound our way down the valley with steep mountains on all sides.
After a while, I was hot, tired and ready to sit down and relax. As I rested on a rock, I looked up at the canyon rim, wiping salty sweat out of my eyes. It looked very far away. I wished for a shortcut to get out, but knew there wasn't any. Short of calling in a helicopter, there was only one way out, and it was to walk across the valley and up the mountain. Sitting there on that rock might give me a moment's rest, but it didn't get me out of the valley.
I've also been in other valleys: those of fear, worry and hopelessness. I'll be honest. When I'm in those valleys, my inclination is to sit. Fear paralyzes me. Worry straps itself to my feet like weights. Hopelessness misconstrues reality so I'm blinded to the truth. And so I stay, planted firmly in the valley of misery. Over and over, I review how others have hurt me, and forecast possible fearful outcomes. None of those choices gets me out of the valley of misery. In fact, they get me nowhere.
What does get me out of those difficult valleys is when I keep walking. It’s when I keep praying even though it seems like my prayers hit the ceiling. It's when I keep reading my Bible, even though the words seem to have less meaning. It's when I keep going to church or a small group even when I'd rather stay home. It's singing songs of worship, even though my heart isn't soaring with joy. But when I keep doing those things, I take steps toward truth and eventually get out of the valley.
Walking through a valley to me means doing the things that are healthy and God-honoring, even when I don't feel like doing them. There is always a way out of a valley. But it means I have to keep walking, then climb a mountain, and that takes work. But when I do the work, God rewards me with a breathtaking view.
I live in a valley. Every direction I look there are mountains. Living in the West, my family also vacations in mountains. Because of that, it seems I spend lots of time in valleys. One truth I've learned is if you keep walking, you will eventually get out. One summer we took a trip to Bryce Canyon. It was warm outside, and got warmer as we headed down into the canyon. It was a great hike as we circled the interesting rock spires called hoodoos. We wound our way down the valley with steep mountains on all sides.
After a while, I was hot, tired and ready to sit down and relax. As I rested on a rock, I looked up at the canyon rim, wiping salty sweat out of my eyes. It looked very far away. I wished for a shortcut to get out, but knew there wasn't any. Short of calling in a helicopter, there was only one way out, and it was to walk across the valley and up the mountain. Sitting there on that rock might give me a moment's rest, but it didn't get me out of the valley.
I've also been in other valleys: those of fear, worry and hopelessness. I'll be honest. When I'm in those valleys, my inclination is to sit. Fear paralyzes me. Worry straps itself to my feet like weights. Hopelessness misconstrues reality so I'm blinded to the truth. And so I stay, planted firmly in the valley of misery. Over and over, I review how others have hurt me, and forecast possible fearful outcomes. None of those choices gets me out of the valley of misery. In fact, they get me nowhere.
What does get me out of those difficult valleys is when I keep walking. It’s when I keep praying even though it seems like my prayers hit the ceiling. It's when I keep reading my Bible, even though the words seem to have less meaning. It's when I keep going to church or a small group even when I'd rather stay home. It's singing songs of worship, even though my heart isn't soaring with joy. But when I keep doing those things, I take steps toward truth and eventually get out of the valley.
Walking through a valley to me means doing the things that are healthy and God-honoring, even when I don't feel like doing them. There is always a way out of a valley. But it means I have to keep walking, then climb a mountain, and that takes work. But when I do the work, God rewards me with a breathtaking view.
In TImes of Struggle, Turn to God and Pray -- and Ask Others to Pray for You
"My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.” Psalms 119:28
These are words of struggle. I don’t know if any of you reading this are in the midst of struggle, but there are many around you who are, you don’t have to look very far to find them. When it seems that the world is crushing in and there are simply too many, or too big of things to deal with, there is often the desire to run away, or retreat and hide- even from God, if it feels as though God is not listening or prayers are going unanswered.
This brings a physical and emotional exhaustion, but we have Hope. We have the promises of God delivered in the scriptures. Grab onto the prayer of Ps. 119:28 and ask to be strengthened by the Word of God. Look for the promises you find there and claim them in prayer. When you find the promises, there will be conditions- go to God in prayer asking how to meet them, that they can be real for you today.
"Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you have planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare.” Psalm 40:5.
God has a plan for your life, and that is a promise that you can pass along to others. As we read through Psalms together as a congregation, highlight or underline the verses that have special meaning for you. Copy promises to claim into a notebook or your prayer journal and lift them up. Take your troubles to the cross and leave them there- our Lord can identify with our suffering, and He will lift the burden from you. Give thanks.
These are words of struggle. I don’t know if any of you reading this are in the midst of struggle, but there are many around you who are, you don’t have to look very far to find them. When it seems that the world is crushing in and there are simply too many, or too big of things to deal with, there is often the desire to run away, or retreat and hide- even from God, if it feels as though God is not listening or prayers are going unanswered.
This brings a physical and emotional exhaustion, but we have Hope. We have the promises of God delivered in the scriptures. Grab onto the prayer of Ps. 119:28 and ask to be strengthened by the Word of God. Look for the promises you find there and claim them in prayer. When you find the promises, there will be conditions- go to God in prayer asking how to meet them, that they can be real for you today.
"Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you have planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare.” Psalm 40:5.
God has a plan for your life, and that is a promise that you can pass along to others. As we read through Psalms together as a congregation, highlight or underline the verses that have special meaning for you. Copy promises to claim into a notebook or your prayer journal and lift them up. Take your troubles to the cross and leave them there- our Lord can identify with our suffering, and He will lift the burden from you. Give thanks.
Praying to God Based on the Example of Jesus Our Savior
Christians are instructed to follow in Jesus's footsteps as possible. The Bible teaches the most effective way to pray based on Jesus' example. Many people make the mistake of casually throwing up a few prayers here and there without giving much thought to the process. Jesus prayed with purpose and diligence. Here are a few tips fromt the life of Jesus that we should consideer to help you get the most out of your prayer time.
1. Get up early in the morning. In Mark 1:35, Jesus is shown getting up early to pray. Jesus knew that he needed to put God first in all things. Praying early in the morning not only starts our day off right, but also shows God that he is Number One in our lives.
2. Find a place where you can be alone. Jesus knew that, in order to have quality time with God, he had to be completely alone. If possible, find a place to pray where there will be no interruptions or distractions.
3. Pray with enthusiasm. Hebrews 5:7 says that Jesus threw himself entirely into his praying. We must use not only our minds but also our emotions and our spirit when praying.
4. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you. Romans 8:26 tells us that Jesus prayed with dependency upon the Holy Spirit, and we are instructed to do the same. God often reveals things to us during our time of prayer. Keep a notepad handy to write down your thoughts and experiences. Partner with the Spirit. Ask Him to give you the gifts you need in order to lift up the body of Christ.
5. Pray in accordance with God's will. 1 John 5:14-15 says that Jesus, being God in the flesh, knew perfectly the mind and will of God. If we are to pray as Jesus did, we must pray according to God's will as revealed in the Scriptures.
6. Pray according to the Word of God. The only way we can be sure we are praying within the will of God is to pray according to the word of God. Reading and studying your Bible is essential to having a successful prayer life.
7. Pray in faith. When we pray according to God's will, as revealed through his word, we can pray with faith, knowing that God desires to answer our prayers. As you pray, believe that God will answer your prayers. Read Mark 11:22-26.
8. Visualize God answering your prayers. John 5:19 tells us that Jesus could do nothing except what he saw the Father doing. Just like Jesus, as we pray, we must see God doing the very things we are asking for. Use your baptized imagination for good things.
1. Get up early in the morning. In Mark 1:35, Jesus is shown getting up early to pray. Jesus knew that he needed to put God first in all things. Praying early in the morning not only starts our day off right, but also shows God that he is Number One in our lives.
2. Find a place where you can be alone. Jesus knew that, in order to have quality time with God, he had to be completely alone. If possible, find a place to pray where there will be no interruptions or distractions.
3. Pray with enthusiasm. Hebrews 5:7 says that Jesus threw himself entirely into his praying. We must use not only our minds but also our emotions and our spirit when praying.
4. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you. Romans 8:26 tells us that Jesus prayed with dependency upon the Holy Spirit, and we are instructed to do the same. God often reveals things to us during our time of prayer. Keep a notepad handy to write down your thoughts and experiences. Partner with the Spirit. Ask Him to give you the gifts you need in order to lift up the body of Christ.
5. Pray in accordance with God's will. 1 John 5:14-15 says that Jesus, being God in the flesh, knew perfectly the mind and will of God. If we are to pray as Jesus did, we must pray according to God's will as revealed in the Scriptures.
6. Pray according to the Word of God. The only way we can be sure we are praying within the will of God is to pray according to the word of God. Reading and studying your Bible is essential to having a successful prayer life.
7. Pray in faith. When we pray according to God's will, as revealed through his word, we can pray with faith, knowing that God desires to answer our prayers. As you pray, believe that God will answer your prayers. Read Mark 11:22-26.
8. Visualize God answering your prayers. John 5:19 tells us that Jesus could do nothing except what he saw the Father doing. Just like Jesus, as we pray, we must see God doing the very things we are asking for. Use your baptized imagination for good things.
Lent -- Change is Not Just for the Spring of the Year in the Days Before Easter
Lent is about change. We think about what we want to quit doing, or what we want to do more or better, and we make promises, and try really hard. That’s good, and that’s as it should be. But know this: the Spirit of God is always working in you, on you, with you, to transform you. You are swimming with the current, in other words, and God knows where you’re going.
Do not keep trying to swim upstream -- it will tire you out and break you down. Do not swim too close to the shore -- you might run aground ind the shallows or hit the rock or the hidden submerged tree limb. Swim with the current in the deep water of God.
We are all swimmers in the river of life. But many never find the beauty of the current that is the Way of Jesus Christ. It is in His current that lives of prayer and seeking His Word will reap abundant benefits and eternal virtues. Swim with Him, dear ones, swim in the deep waters of His love!
Do not keep trying to swim upstream -- it will tire you out and break you down. Do not swim too close to the shore -- you might run aground ind the shallows or hit the rock or the hidden submerged tree limb. Swim with the current in the deep water of God.
We are all swimmers in the river of life. But many never find the beauty of the current that is the Way of Jesus Christ. It is in His current that lives of prayer and seeking His Word will reap abundant benefits and eternal virtues. Swim with Him, dear ones, swim in the deep waters of His love!
Wash Me Clean, O Lord -- Praying for Forgiveness and Cleansing
Psalm 51:7, “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.”
Hyssop was used to sprinkle the blood of the sacrificial lamb to bring spiritual cleansing and restoration, but being washed whiter than snow comes at a cost. This week I read an article about someone whitening their teeth that has some parallel lessons.
A friend of mine discovered that the whole teeth whitening thing wasn’t the blissful experience she had anticipated. It was far more painful and complicated than expected. The chemicals they use in the bleaching process can cause pain. The nerves under the gum-line exposed to these chemicals can really hurt. I thought about how this applies to God's process of making us white as snow. We want that process to be quick and easy. We don't want the pain, and yet sometimes pain is the only thing that will cause the change God wants to bring about in us.
Whitening takes a long time. The chemicals are so harsh you couldn’t take it all in one application, so they break it up a little at a time.
But think about how gentle and loving our Heavenly Father is, allowing us to go through a process of refinement, instead of being exposed to more than we can take all at once. He leads us along the path of righteousness– a journey. He never gives us more than we can take, balancing just the right amount of pain mixed with just the right amount of perfectly timed relief. It might take longer than we want, but we can find peace in knowing that the end-result will be worth waiting for. God’s whitening process- it might not be easy, or tidy, or even close to what we expected, but we can trust it will be for the best.
Hyssop was used to sprinkle the blood of the sacrificial lamb to bring spiritual cleansing and restoration, but being washed whiter than snow comes at a cost. This week I read an article about someone whitening their teeth that has some parallel lessons.
A friend of mine discovered that the whole teeth whitening thing wasn’t the blissful experience she had anticipated. It was far more painful and complicated than expected. The chemicals they use in the bleaching process can cause pain. The nerves under the gum-line exposed to these chemicals can really hurt. I thought about how this applies to God's process of making us white as snow. We want that process to be quick and easy. We don't want the pain, and yet sometimes pain is the only thing that will cause the change God wants to bring about in us.
Whitening takes a long time. The chemicals are so harsh you couldn’t take it all in one application, so they break it up a little at a time.
But think about how gentle and loving our Heavenly Father is, allowing us to go through a process of refinement, instead of being exposed to more than we can take all at once. He leads us along the path of righteousness– a journey. He never gives us more than we can take, balancing just the right amount of pain mixed with just the right amount of perfectly timed relief. It might take longer than we want, but we can find peace in knowing that the end-result will be worth waiting for. God’s whitening process- it might not be easy, or tidy, or even close to what we expected, but we can trust it will be for the best.
Prayer Lessons from King Jehosaphat and 2 Chroncles
Christians almost universally agree, “God answers prayer.” But many people, if they were honest, would amend the phrase to say, “The Lord answers most prayers, but not mine.” A believer can fervently call upon God without receiving what he considers a satisfactory answer. The stumbling block isn't God's unwillingness or inability to respond, but rather the word satisfactory. If we come to God with a preconceived idea of how to solve our problem, we will often overlook His true resolution.
The power of our prayers is based in scripture. Please read II Chronicles 20:14-25 and meditate on vs. 21-22, “And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the Lord and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say, “Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever.” And when they began to sing and praise, the Lord set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed.”
Suppose King Jehoshaphat had decided that God could answer his prayer only by giving the army extra strength for the forthcoming skirmish. He would have called a war council, arrayed his soldier in armor, and set up battle lines. God's solution was entirely unexpected: First, send the choir out singing praises, then watch the Lord save Israel. If Jehoshaphat's soldiers had attempted combat, they may have lost Jerusalem.
Sometimes we don't like God's solution. We desire freedom from physical pain rather than an extra measure of grace to endure the hurt. Or we want a new job, not a command to seek the boss' forgiveness for our poor attitude. In essence, we want the Lord to fix everything without requiring any effort from us. But our willingness to obey is the key to answered prayer. When He tells us how to resolve our problem, we must act just as He specifies, or we will never be satisfied.
The power of our prayers is based in scripture. Please read II Chronicles 20:14-25 and meditate on vs. 21-22, “And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the Lord and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say, “Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever.” And when they began to sing and praise, the Lord set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed.”
Suppose King Jehoshaphat had decided that God could answer his prayer only by giving the army extra strength for the forthcoming skirmish. He would have called a war council, arrayed his soldier in armor, and set up battle lines. God's solution was entirely unexpected: First, send the choir out singing praises, then watch the Lord save Israel. If Jehoshaphat's soldiers had attempted combat, they may have lost Jerusalem.
Sometimes we don't like God's solution. We desire freedom from physical pain rather than an extra measure of grace to endure the hurt. Or we want a new job, not a command to seek the boss' forgiveness for our poor attitude. In essence, we want the Lord to fix everything without requiring any effort from us. But our willingness to obey is the key to answered prayer. When He tells us how to resolve our problem, we must act just as He specifies, or we will never be satisfied.
Set Aside the Distractions of Life When You Go to Pray
"But you, when you pray, enter into your room. And shutting your door, pray to your Father in secret; and your Father who sees in secret shall reward you openly." Matthew 6:6.
A common problem in prayer is we’re so busy each day that we don't pause to pray- for ourselves or others. We don’t plug into God, until a crisis happens. Even then, sometimes we're so used to dealing with things without praying that it can take awhile for us to remember to turn the problem over to God.
So developing a pray-as-I-go-through-my-day mindset is important. Equally as important as taking God along with me through my day, is to set aside and spend time with Him: to commune with Him; to read scripture; to pray, and to listen for His response; to be still in His presence and worship Him. This kind of thing can’t be done on the run. Some issues we face in life, for whatever reason in the spiritual realm, cannot be solved with one or two quick prayers.
We have to persist praying with faith. We may need to gather others to join us in praying, and to intercede on our behalf. It's always necessary too, to keep in mind that God may not answer in the way we expect.
EM Bounds writes, “We would not have anyone think that the value of prayer is to be measured by the clock.” He also asserts, however, “The short prevailing prayer cannot be prayed by one who has not prevailed with God in a mightier struggle of long continuance.”
When I look at the life of Jesus and His prayer practices, I see lots of brief prayers He prayed. I also see instances when He spent extended time praying and communing with God. For instance, in Mark 1:35 we find Jesus alone in a solitary place, very early in the morning, praying. In Mark 6:46, after miraculously feeding 5,000 people with just five loaves of bread and two fish, Jesus leaves His disciples and goes up on a mountainside to pray. Matthew 14:23 adds that Jesus remained there alone until evening.
So let's examine our prayer life for a moment. Could you benefit from learning to pray quickly during your day as needs arise? Is a set-apart time of leaning deeper into God with stillness and prayer what your soul is truly craving? Whichever it is, or both, decide to make it happen.
A common problem in prayer is we’re so busy each day that we don't pause to pray- for ourselves or others. We don’t plug into God, until a crisis happens. Even then, sometimes we're so used to dealing with things without praying that it can take awhile for us to remember to turn the problem over to God.
So developing a pray-as-I-go-through-my-day mindset is important. Equally as important as taking God along with me through my day, is to set aside and spend time with Him: to commune with Him; to read scripture; to pray, and to listen for His response; to be still in His presence and worship Him. This kind of thing can’t be done on the run. Some issues we face in life, for whatever reason in the spiritual realm, cannot be solved with one or two quick prayers.
We have to persist praying with faith. We may need to gather others to join us in praying, and to intercede on our behalf. It's always necessary too, to keep in mind that God may not answer in the way we expect.
EM Bounds writes, “We would not have anyone think that the value of prayer is to be measured by the clock.” He also asserts, however, “The short prevailing prayer cannot be prayed by one who has not prevailed with God in a mightier struggle of long continuance.”
When I look at the life of Jesus and His prayer practices, I see lots of brief prayers He prayed. I also see instances when He spent extended time praying and communing with God. For instance, in Mark 1:35 we find Jesus alone in a solitary place, very early in the morning, praying. In Mark 6:46, after miraculously feeding 5,000 people with just five loaves of bread and two fish, Jesus leaves His disciples and goes up on a mountainside to pray. Matthew 14:23 adds that Jesus remained there alone until evening.
So let's examine our prayer life for a moment. Could you benefit from learning to pray quickly during your day as needs arise? Is a set-apart time of leaning deeper into God with stillness and prayer what your soul is truly craving? Whichever it is, or both, decide to make it happen.
John Knox -- Prayer Warrior for the People of Scotland
The Great Presbyterian Leader John Knox: A Man of Fervent, Effectual Prayer
John Knox and Prayer: It is said that Mary, Queen of Scots trembled when John Knox went to his knees in prayer. One time she even exclaimed that she feared Knox's prayers "more than an any army in Europe."
Why was she so shaken? It was because Knox believed that God worked through prayer. This was no simple assent to a truth. Knox acted on his belief. He would boldly come before the throne of grace like no other, throwing his petitions at the Father's feet.
Author Larry Christenson attests to this in his book The Christian Family. As a matter of fact, Christenson almost goes so far as to attribute the whole reformation of Scotland to Knox's prayers. He writes,
"[Knox] prayed with such power that all Scotland was awakened. 'Lord, Give me Scotland or I'll die!' he cried. And he prayed with such intensity that the Lord answered."
Here is what John Knox wrote about the Holy Spirit and prayer:
"HOW THE SPIRIT MAKES INTERCESSION FOR US. So that without the Spirit of God supporting our infirmities (mightily making intercession for us with unceasing groans, which cannot be expressed with tongue, Rom. 8:26), there is no hope that we can desire anything according to God's will. I mean not that the Holy Ghost does mourn or pray, but that he stirs up our minds, giving unto us a desire or boldness to pray, and causes us to mourn when we are extracted or pulled therefrom."
May the Holy Spirit stir your mind for prayer today!
John Knox and Prayer: It is said that Mary, Queen of Scots trembled when John Knox went to his knees in prayer. One time she even exclaimed that she feared Knox's prayers "more than an any army in Europe."
Why was she so shaken? It was because Knox believed that God worked through prayer. This was no simple assent to a truth. Knox acted on his belief. He would boldly come before the throne of grace like no other, throwing his petitions at the Father's feet.
Author Larry Christenson attests to this in his book The Christian Family. As a matter of fact, Christenson almost goes so far as to attribute the whole reformation of Scotland to Knox's prayers. He writes,
"[Knox] prayed with such power that all Scotland was awakened. 'Lord, Give me Scotland or I'll die!' he cried. And he prayed with such intensity that the Lord answered."
Here is what John Knox wrote about the Holy Spirit and prayer:
"HOW THE SPIRIT MAKES INTERCESSION FOR US. So that without the Spirit of God supporting our infirmities (mightily making intercession for us with unceasing groans, which cannot be expressed with tongue, Rom. 8:26), there is no hope that we can desire anything according to God's will. I mean not that the Holy Ghost does mourn or pray, but that he stirs up our minds, giving unto us a desire or boldness to pray, and causes us to mourn when we are extracted or pulled therefrom."
May the Holy Spirit stir your mind for prayer today!
Listen to God -- Prayer is a Two-Way Communication
“If only you carefully listen to the voice of the Lord your God…” (Deuteronomy 15:5, AMP).
Prayer is a two-way communication. Make sure you pause and quietly listen to God. Listen!
All through the day there are two voices that compete for our attention– the voice of faith and the voice of defeat. You'll hear a voice saying, “You'll never rise any higher. You don't have what it takes. You've reached your limit.” But if you listen carefully, you'll hear another voice saying, “You are well able. You can do all things through Christ. Your best days are still ahead.”
You are the one who gets to choose which voice comes to life by speaking it out of your own mouth. The moment you verbalize that thought, you give it the right to come to pass. When you speak faith, you're in agreement with God. When you speak defeat, you're in agreement with the enemy. God–talk brings God on the scene. Avoid the thoughts of defeat that Satan plants in our minds.
The English Standard Version (ESV) goes beyond the thought of careful listening to emphasize that we need to strictly obey the voice of the Lord. Why don't you get in agreement with God today? That negative voice may be louder, but you can override it. You can take away all of its power by simply choosing the voice of faith. Choose to declare favor, blessing, and increase over your life so that you can walk in the victory the Lord has in store for you.
Prayer is a two-way communication. Make sure you pause and quietly listen to God. Listen!
All through the day there are two voices that compete for our attention– the voice of faith and the voice of defeat. You'll hear a voice saying, “You'll never rise any higher. You don't have what it takes. You've reached your limit.” But if you listen carefully, you'll hear another voice saying, “You are well able. You can do all things through Christ. Your best days are still ahead.”
You are the one who gets to choose which voice comes to life by speaking it out of your own mouth. The moment you verbalize that thought, you give it the right to come to pass. When you speak faith, you're in agreement with God. When you speak defeat, you're in agreement with the enemy. God–talk brings God on the scene. Avoid the thoughts of defeat that Satan plants in our minds.
The English Standard Version (ESV) goes beyond the thought of careful listening to emphasize that we need to strictly obey the voice of the Lord. Why don't you get in agreement with God today? That negative voice may be louder, but you can override it. You can take away all of its power by simply choosing the voice of faith. Choose to declare favor, blessing, and increase over your life so that you can walk in the victory the Lord has in store for you.
The Prayer of a Righteous man ot Woman is Powerful and Effective -- James 5:16
Effective Prayer --
For an effective prayer life, we must get sin out of our lives. Sin can slink into our hearts. Sinful thoughts slip into our mind and we ignore them, believing them to be harmless. But sin is an intruder intent on damage. Sin-filled thoughts can grow into sinful behaviors.
Proverbs 4:23 states, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” It is our responsibility to keep watch for the silent intruders in our thought life, and go to God when we find images or temptations that come to our minds. Let's block our hearts’ doors from sin, because once allowed in, it can do harm. It can also be hard to get rid of.
Pray on a regular basis -- and pray for the ones out of jobs during this hard winter. They need help in a big way. The Prayer of a Person Made Righteous by Christ's Blood is Powerful and Effective!
For an effective prayer life, we must get sin out of our lives. Sin can slink into our hearts. Sinful thoughts slip into our mind and we ignore them, believing them to be harmless. But sin is an intruder intent on damage. Sin-filled thoughts can grow into sinful behaviors.
Proverbs 4:23 states, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” It is our responsibility to keep watch for the silent intruders in our thought life, and go to God when we find images or temptations that come to our minds. Let's block our hearts’ doors from sin, because once allowed in, it can do harm. It can also be hard to get rid of.
Pray on a regular basis -- and pray for the ones out of jobs during this hard winter. They need help in a big way. The Prayer of a Person Made Righteous by Christ's Blood is Powerful and Effective!
They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love!
I encpourage you to pray through passages of scripture: it is a powerful spiritual exercise. James 1:22 encourages us to, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” A favorite passage from the Bible for many is the “Love” chapter from I Corinthians 13. Even secular scholars have no doubt that this piece of literature is a beautiful work, flowing in its rhythm and captivating in its cadence. Here is a challenge to really live in love. Let’s pick up the passage in verses 4-8….
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”
How would you describe your love for others? Are you a patient soul or do you drum your fingers while you stew and sigh not-so-patiently? Is it hard to bring you to a point of anger or does flying off the handle come much too naturally? Do you keep score with those who have wronged you, ready to dredge up the past and become “historical” to make your point? Do you boast? Got a case of the green envies? Ever been rude to someone? How will we ever learn to love the way this passage urges us to?
Here’s an idea that was shared with me that may help to flesh this out in real life. Make a copy of the love chapter on your computer, or just on a sheet of paper. However, wherever the word love is used (or its pronoun ‘it’) leave a blank. Then try over the next week or so to be able to write your name in the blank when you have a chance to exhibit this quality in real life. Were you patient at the doctor’s office today and, instead of grumbling while sitting in the waiting room, you quietly thanked God for the extra time and then used it to pray for others?
Write your name on the “________ is patient” line. Did you and another family member get into a heated discussion and you were tempted to bring up a wrong from the past but, with great restraint, held your tongue? Great! Write your name on the “________ keeps no record of wrongs” line. Were you kind to the grumpy cashier instead of being rude right back? Get out that pen and write away!
Be assured that if you take this challenge, God will give you lots of opportunities to practice displaying these wonderful characteristics of love. And you can count on others noticing the change in you as you seek to love out loud.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”
How would you describe your love for others? Are you a patient soul or do you drum your fingers while you stew and sigh not-so-patiently? Is it hard to bring you to a point of anger or does flying off the handle come much too naturally? Do you keep score with those who have wronged you, ready to dredge up the past and become “historical” to make your point? Do you boast? Got a case of the green envies? Ever been rude to someone? How will we ever learn to love the way this passage urges us to?
Here’s an idea that was shared with me that may help to flesh this out in real life. Make a copy of the love chapter on your computer, or just on a sheet of paper. However, wherever the word love is used (or its pronoun ‘it’) leave a blank. Then try over the next week or so to be able to write your name in the blank when you have a chance to exhibit this quality in real life. Were you patient at the doctor’s office today and, instead of grumbling while sitting in the waiting room, you quietly thanked God for the extra time and then used it to pray for others?
Write your name on the “________ is patient” line. Did you and another family member get into a heated discussion and you were tempted to bring up a wrong from the past but, with great restraint, held your tongue? Great! Write your name on the “________ keeps no record of wrongs” line. Were you kind to the grumpy cashier instead of being rude right back? Get out that pen and write away!
Be assured that if you take this challenge, God will give you lots of opportunities to practice displaying these wonderful characteristics of love. And you can count on others noticing the change in you as you seek to love out loud.
Praise God! He Hears Our Voices in Prayer
“How can you be sure that what you are hearing is God’s voice and not something you made up on your own?”
One thing that we can know with certainty is that what God tells you will never go against what the Bible says! That’s why learning to pray God’s Word is so important! That is also why reading God’s Word daily and internalizing the scope of God’s plan and absorbing an understanding of His will and plan for our lives and the world is so important to us.
I believe in the importance of reading through the whole Bible. If you are not reading with us in our daily readings (today is Nehemiah 5), I would recommend reading a Psalm each day, then you can branch out to Proverbs, and the Gospels. God will speak to you. The more you know about His Word and what it says, the more you will know if you are really hearing God. Thank Him that He talks to you and that His Word is truth. Here is a Scripture prayer included in the article to get you started:
We can pray: “Father, thank You for promising to talk to me and lead me. Thank You that I can listen to Your voice, that You know me, and that I can follow You (John 10:3,27). Thank You that I can trust Your Word because it is the truth (John 17:17). Amen.”
Here are a couple other verses you could use. Start your own collection, or pause for prayer as you come across verses that speak to you: Psalm 119:89,105; Isaiah 30:21; II Timothy 3:16; Malachi 3:10-11.
One thing that we can know with certainty is that what God tells you will never go against what the Bible says! That’s why learning to pray God’s Word is so important! That is also why reading God’s Word daily and internalizing the scope of God’s plan and absorbing an understanding of His will and plan for our lives and the world is so important to us.
I believe in the importance of reading through the whole Bible. If you are not reading with us in our daily readings (today is Nehemiah 5), I would recommend reading a Psalm each day, then you can branch out to Proverbs, and the Gospels. God will speak to you. The more you know about His Word and what it says, the more you will know if you are really hearing God. Thank Him that He talks to you and that His Word is truth. Here is a Scripture prayer included in the article to get you started:
We can pray: “Father, thank You for promising to talk to me and lead me. Thank You that I can listen to Your voice, that You know me, and that I can follow You (John 10:3,27). Thank You that I can trust Your Word because it is the truth (John 17:17). Amen.”
Here are a couple other verses you could use. Start your own collection, or pause for prayer as you come across verses that speak to you: Psalm 119:89,105; Isaiah 30:21; II Timothy 3:16; Malachi 3:10-11.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
When Trouble Comes, Consider it An Opportunity for Great Joy!
"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete…" James 1:2-4 (NLT)
Do you ever take the time to watch the sun rise or set? I especially like to take time to watch the sun when I am on vacation. I always enjoy the glory of that giant yellow ball on the horizon, but the days that this becomes a spectacular view of glorious spreading colors is when there are clouds in the sky.
Clouds have been given a bum rap, but all along, these predictors of bad weather, these symbols of negativity, sadness, blues, and gloom really serve to expand light, reflect color, cast dazzling rays, and paint incredible scenes in the sky. A sunrise without clouds is like a life without trials and hardships.
I do all I can to avoid challenges and difficulties, but the fact is the so called "clouds" in my life can cast me in a certain aura of God's splendor. Truth is, the people I respect and admire most are those whose lives have been filled with "clouds" but they walk through any weather with God.
These people walk in splendor, surrounded with a certain attractive and hard-to-capture beauty. They are people I seek out on a regular basis. I pursue them because I want to bask in their glow and confidence. They leave me in awe. It is in their presence I realize God can shine His light through the clouds in our lives to show us His glory.
As you go in prayer this week, take time to give thanks for the struggles in your day; give thanks that God is with you in difficult times; praise Him for the promise to see you through. May your spirits rise in joy as your faith is tested.
Do you ever take the time to watch the sun rise or set? I especially like to take time to watch the sun when I am on vacation. I always enjoy the glory of that giant yellow ball on the horizon, but the days that this becomes a spectacular view of glorious spreading colors is when there are clouds in the sky.
Clouds have been given a bum rap, but all along, these predictors of bad weather, these symbols of negativity, sadness, blues, and gloom really serve to expand light, reflect color, cast dazzling rays, and paint incredible scenes in the sky. A sunrise without clouds is like a life without trials and hardships.
I do all I can to avoid challenges and difficulties, but the fact is the so called "clouds" in my life can cast me in a certain aura of God's splendor. Truth is, the people I respect and admire most are those whose lives have been filled with "clouds" but they walk through any weather with God.
These people walk in splendor, surrounded with a certain attractive and hard-to-capture beauty. They are people I seek out on a regular basis. I pursue them because I want to bask in their glow and confidence. They leave me in awe. It is in their presence I realize God can shine His light through the clouds in our lives to show us His glory.
As you go in prayer this week, take time to give thanks for the struggles in your day; give thanks that God is with you in difficult times; praise Him for the promise to see you through. May your spirits rise in joy as your faith is tested.
They That Wait Upon the Lord Shall Renew Their Strength
“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31
To wait for the Lord is to spend time with God- reading the Bible, taking our requests in prayer and waiting for God to speak answers in our hearts. As we wait and rely on God to work in our lives it also means that our hope is in God, in fact the New International Version (NIV) puts it just that way, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.”
Sometimes we place our hopes in other people. We might place our hope in our Doctor or the medicine that might be prescribed, a series of treatments, or a surgical procedure to correct a difficulty. We might place our hope in other people or family members to come through to make an event or gathering special. We might even place our hope in our own abilities to accomplish a goal.
At times our hopes will be crushed in any of those situations when our hopes are not realized. The encouragement and promise of prayer, and those found in Isaiah 40:31 is that we need to place our hope in God. God can and does work through all of the human relationships, but our hope rests on God.
Human hope is in limited quantity, and when it runs out, you are left drained, discouraged, disappointed and …hopeless! Oh, it may masquerade as “hope,” but it is completely different from the hope that God provides. God’s hope renews and refreshes. It empowers, uplifts, and strengthens. God’s hope does not disappoint! There is an unlimited supply of God’s hope.
We can go to God in prayer refreshed in the sure and certain hope that is ours in Christ.
To wait for the Lord is to spend time with God- reading the Bible, taking our requests in prayer and waiting for God to speak answers in our hearts. As we wait and rely on God to work in our lives it also means that our hope is in God, in fact the New International Version (NIV) puts it just that way, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.”
Sometimes we place our hopes in other people. We might place our hope in our Doctor or the medicine that might be prescribed, a series of treatments, or a surgical procedure to correct a difficulty. We might place our hope in other people or family members to come through to make an event or gathering special. We might even place our hope in our own abilities to accomplish a goal.
At times our hopes will be crushed in any of those situations when our hopes are not realized. The encouragement and promise of prayer, and those found in Isaiah 40:31 is that we need to place our hope in God. God can and does work through all of the human relationships, but our hope rests on God.
Human hope is in limited quantity, and when it runs out, you are left drained, discouraged, disappointed and …hopeless! Oh, it may masquerade as “hope,” but it is completely different from the hope that God provides. God’s hope renews and refreshes. It empowers, uplifts, and strengthens. God’s hope does not disappoint! There is an unlimited supply of God’s hope.
We can go to God in prayer refreshed in the sure and certain hope that is ours in Christ.
A CHRISTMAS PRAYER -- THANK GOD FOR THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL!
DEAR FRIENDS IN CHRIST:
Amidst the giving of gifts, the excitement of children and the cooking of traditional dinners, it is easy to miss "the reason for the season", the birth of God's son, Jesus Christ. Here is a prayer I said silently in a moment aside from the rush taht sometimes comes this time of year. Take time for Jesus! Perhaps this little prayer will inspire you in your prayer time as we consider the birth of births!
A CHISTMAS PRAYER
Lord. As I spend these holy days in your honor, help me to put aside any bitterness that I'm not celebrating at home with loved ones, friends or others. Help me to cherish those I know and help me to mend any brokeness with others.. I ask you, Loving Father, to give me a special sense of your presence as I meet people, that I may shed on them the light of the Bethlehem Star, the Spirit of Christmas.
Father God, When your precious Son became a tiny baby in a stable in Bethlehem in poverty and simplicity, you changed our world. As we imagine those surroundings, we join with the shepherds and the wise men in wonder and praise. We thank you for our material lives, praise you for our spiritual lives, and trust in you for our eternal life. IN JESUS NAME, Amen.
Amidst the giving of gifts, the excitement of children and the cooking of traditional dinners, it is easy to miss "the reason for the season", the birth of God's son, Jesus Christ. Here is a prayer I said silently in a moment aside from the rush taht sometimes comes this time of year. Take time for Jesus! Perhaps this little prayer will inspire you in your prayer time as we consider the birth of births!
A CHISTMAS PRAYER
Lord. As I spend these holy days in your honor, help me to put aside any bitterness that I'm not celebrating at home with loved ones, friends or others. Help me to cherish those I know and help me to mend any brokeness with others.. I ask you, Loving Father, to give me a special sense of your presence as I meet people, that I may shed on them the light of the Bethlehem Star, the Spirit of Christmas.
Father God, When your precious Son became a tiny baby in a stable in Bethlehem in poverty and simplicity, you changed our world. As we imagine those surroundings, we join with the shepherds and the wise men in wonder and praise. We thank you for our material lives, praise you for our spiritual lives, and trust in you for our eternal life. IN JESUS NAME, Amen.
Hear My Cry, O Lord -- Be My Refuge in Times of Sadness
“Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.” Psalm 61:1-4.
This past week was a tough one for our Burt church family, as we lost our Trustee, member and friend Kent Habeger, who went home to be with the Lord last Monday after a tragic farming accident. Kent was just 50, and his leaving is a huge blow for his dear wife Marti, and his sons Ryan and Mitchell, and the whole Habeger and Noll (Marti's maiden name) families, our church family, the national show cattle family which Kent and his family were a key part of, and our Burt and Kossuth County community.
Thanks to all those who have reached out to help the family with prayers and visits and food and gifts. Keep praying for them in the coming days, weeks and months as they carry on. Our love is a tangible reminder of God's love, because He makes our love possible.
Many of us cried out to God for help when we heard this hard news. I was in Mason City visiting folks at the hospital when it I was called. I cried out to God. Thank God He is a strong tower of refuge. He sends the Holy Spirit to comfort us.
Though Christmas is a wonderful time of year, sometimes it makes our losses seem greater as we remember our departed loved ones. Many folks feel that loneliness and depressionm in this time, missing the ones wo have gone on to be with the Lord. Some might even start wondering if God cares about them. Let them know someone cares, and that God cares.
We are coming to the season of the year with colder temperatures and we don’t get out as much, days grow shorter, we get less sunshine, and it is easy for depression to get hold of many of us. A great number of people who have to deal with these difficult emotions. As Christmas draws near, we should also remind ourselves that the holidays can be difficult for many people. It is a time when they are reminded of the loss of loved ones, and loneliness can grow stronger. We need to remember the promises of our faith.
Jesus loves me, is a simple little song you probably learned many years ago. It is very simple, yet so powerfully profound, that one statement grounds me in the truth of who God says I am. Friends can’t make you feel accepted all the time. Accomplishments will never truly make you feel secure. Having lots of people around you does not mean you won’t ever feel lonely. So, turn to the One who is Everlasting, Prince of Peace, Emmanuel- God with us. Draw close to Him so you can separate solid truth from shifting emotion.
We are dearly loved by God. His love enables us to display compassion, kindness and patience even when we don’t feel like it. Colossians 3:12, “Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (NIV)
God is with us. As we cry out to Him, we are reminded of His help, of His deep love for us. And we are reminded that we are to represent His love in our dealings with those He has led us to know.
This past week was a tough one for our Burt church family, as we lost our Trustee, member and friend Kent Habeger, who went home to be with the Lord last Monday after a tragic farming accident. Kent was just 50, and his leaving is a huge blow for his dear wife Marti, and his sons Ryan and Mitchell, and the whole Habeger and Noll (Marti's maiden name) families, our church family, the national show cattle family which Kent and his family were a key part of, and our Burt and Kossuth County community.
Thanks to all those who have reached out to help the family with prayers and visits and food and gifts. Keep praying for them in the coming days, weeks and months as they carry on. Our love is a tangible reminder of God's love, because He makes our love possible.
Many of us cried out to God for help when we heard this hard news. I was in Mason City visiting folks at the hospital when it I was called. I cried out to God. Thank God He is a strong tower of refuge. He sends the Holy Spirit to comfort us.
Though Christmas is a wonderful time of year, sometimes it makes our losses seem greater as we remember our departed loved ones. Many folks feel that loneliness and depressionm in this time, missing the ones wo have gone on to be with the Lord. Some might even start wondering if God cares about them. Let them know someone cares, and that God cares.
We are coming to the season of the year with colder temperatures and we don’t get out as much, days grow shorter, we get less sunshine, and it is easy for depression to get hold of many of us. A great number of people who have to deal with these difficult emotions. As Christmas draws near, we should also remind ourselves that the holidays can be difficult for many people. It is a time when they are reminded of the loss of loved ones, and loneliness can grow stronger. We need to remember the promises of our faith.
Jesus loves me, is a simple little song you probably learned many years ago. It is very simple, yet so powerfully profound, that one statement grounds me in the truth of who God says I am. Friends can’t make you feel accepted all the time. Accomplishments will never truly make you feel secure. Having lots of people around you does not mean you won’t ever feel lonely. So, turn to the One who is Everlasting, Prince of Peace, Emmanuel- God with us. Draw close to Him so you can separate solid truth from shifting emotion.
We are dearly loved by God. His love enables us to display compassion, kindness and patience even when we don’t feel like it. Colossians 3:12, “Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (NIV)
God is with us. As we cry out to Him, we are reminded of His help, of His deep love for us. And we are reminded that we are to represent His love in our dealings with those He has led us to know.
Cast Your Burdens on the Lord, for He Cares For You!
Psalms 55:22 'Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee. He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.'
When the circumstances of life become a burden, we need to take them to the Lord! There is one place we can "cast" our burdens. A place that far exceeds the list above. There is someone who can be the best friend you'll ever have and you can be a part of His family. He is a counselor, who has no equal and He is available and wants to listen -- any time of the day or night. He takes whatever burdens you want to cast upon Him and takes care of them for you.
His name is Jesus. He waits right now for you to call on Him; to cast all of your burdens upon Him. Will you respond? Will you let Him take care of the heaviest burden you have, your sin?
Jesus gave His life so that you do not have to carry your burden. He knows this burden hinders you from having eternal life. He knows your sin burden hinders you from living the abundant life that God created you to live. He knows your sin hinders you from experiencing joy and peace that has no bounds and hinders you from receiving all that God has promised and created you to receive. You just have to ask. in prayer
He promises not to cast you away -- no matter what you have done (see John 6:37). There is nothing you have done, no burden you have, that He can't take care of for you. He cares for you, He loves you. You can call to Him now, right where you are.
In the Bible, God tells us how: "Casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). So do it, my friend. Do it!
When the circumstances of life become a burden, we need to take them to the Lord! There is one place we can "cast" our burdens. A place that far exceeds the list above. There is someone who can be the best friend you'll ever have and you can be a part of His family. He is a counselor, who has no equal and He is available and wants to listen -- any time of the day or night. He takes whatever burdens you want to cast upon Him and takes care of them for you.
His name is Jesus. He waits right now for you to call on Him; to cast all of your burdens upon Him. Will you respond? Will you let Him take care of the heaviest burden you have, your sin?
Jesus gave His life so that you do not have to carry your burden. He knows this burden hinders you from having eternal life. He knows your sin burden hinders you from living the abundant life that God created you to live. He knows your sin hinders you from experiencing joy and peace that has no bounds and hinders you from receiving all that God has promised and created you to receive. You just have to ask. in prayer
He promises not to cast you away -- no matter what you have done (see John 6:37). There is nothing you have done, no burden you have, that He can't take care of for you. He cares for you, He loves you. You can call to Him now, right where you are.
In the Bible, God tells us how: "Casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). So do it, my friend. Do it!
Is Anyone in Trouble -- Pray for Them!
“Is anyone of you in trouble? He should pray. Is any one happy? Let him sing songs of praise.” James 5:13
When someone is struggling in a difficult situation, we might think that all we can do is pray. I believe in putting feet on those prayers, but so many times I am just as guilty as most in not acting on the nudges God gives us to reach out, visit, call or write someone. But I want to emphasize that we not overlook the importance and power of our offering and following through on prayer. It is truly the best we can do. We can pray. We can storm the gates of heaven on another’s behalf. They need our prayers right now, so just keep praying!
How many times do we idly comment that praying is “all I can do?” This seems to say that our prayers are a last resort, something to do when there is nothing else I can do – no meals I can bring, no Band-Aids I could apply to the hurt, no actions I could take. We need the reminder that praying is not a last resort, it’s a first response. It’s not the action of a powerless, hopeless person whose hands are tied in every other way. It’s the powerful, Heaven-summoning activity of a warrior who doesn’t want to fight alone. Praying isn’t all I can do, it’s the best I can do.
Are you facing a situation right now that you can’t do anything about? Maybe you are watching someone go through something that you can’t help with. Do you wonder what good it will do to pray? Do you despair of anything changing, or of your prayers helping? Have you, like me, shrugged your shoulders and commented that all you have left is prayer- when really your prayers are exactly what is needed?
Let’s focus today on doing what’s best. Let’s get on our knees for ourselves, our family members, our spouses, our children, our neighbors, our friends and our nation. Let’s focus on the power in our prayers. Our intercession, and nothing more, might be exactly what God desires. Let’s not forget that we can offer the most help when we are on our knees. Psalm 50:15, “Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”
When someone is struggling in a difficult situation, we might think that all we can do is pray. I believe in putting feet on those prayers, but so many times I am just as guilty as most in not acting on the nudges God gives us to reach out, visit, call or write someone. But I want to emphasize that we not overlook the importance and power of our offering and following through on prayer. It is truly the best we can do. We can pray. We can storm the gates of heaven on another’s behalf. They need our prayers right now, so just keep praying!
How many times do we idly comment that praying is “all I can do?” This seems to say that our prayers are a last resort, something to do when there is nothing else I can do – no meals I can bring, no Band-Aids I could apply to the hurt, no actions I could take. We need the reminder that praying is not a last resort, it’s a first response. It’s not the action of a powerless, hopeless person whose hands are tied in every other way. It’s the powerful, Heaven-summoning activity of a warrior who doesn’t want to fight alone. Praying isn’t all I can do, it’s the best I can do.
Are you facing a situation right now that you can’t do anything about? Maybe you are watching someone go through something that you can’t help with. Do you wonder what good it will do to pray? Do you despair of anything changing, or of your prayers helping? Have you, like me, shrugged your shoulders and commented that all you have left is prayer- when really your prayers are exactly what is needed?
Let’s focus today on doing what’s best. Let’s get on our knees for ourselves, our family members, our spouses, our children, our neighbors, our friends and our nation. Let’s focus on the power in our prayers. Our intercession, and nothing more, might be exactly what God desires. Let’s not forget that we can offer the most help when we are on our knees. Psalm 50:15, “Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”
People Get Saved When God's People Pray for Them!
Satan does not want you to pray. He will do anything to keep you from praying!
One of the tricks of Satan is leading us to believe prayer is simply a desirable exercise. Not so! It is an essential exercise, though terribly neglected by believers. In fact, it is more than an area of neglect; prayerlessness is sin. Thus Samuel assured the people of Israel, “As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you.” I Sam. 12:23.
Did you know that there are spiritual battles being waged? I know that you will never win the war if you don't know where the battle is being fought- and we are in a spiritual battle from the moment we're saved. In Ephesians 6:10-18 Paul plainly describes the battle and advises the Christian to put on the whole armor of God. We have been so involved in figuring out the armor that we've neglected to see where the battle is being fought. Therefore, we don't engage in the battle, but spend our time on the fringes doing things that are perhaps good, but are inconsequential as far as eternity and souls are concerned. The first activity mentioned after the armor in Eph. 5:18 is clearly prayer.
Satan does not want you to understand this because you'll never be a threat to him and his cause apart from prayer. Do anything you want to do, and he'll not bother you; begin to pray and he'll put you on his hit list. Satan trembles when he sees the weakest Christian on his knees.
Do you understand the place of prayer? God moves in response to the prayers of His people. Although our finite minds cannot understand “why” at this time, isn't it time that we simply obeyed Him and became involved in the battle? Every believer can begin today to make a tremendous difference in lives and circumstances through prayer.The Scriptures are our aid. Jesus said, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, (here is the place of Bible study) ask whatever you wish, (and here is the place of prayer) and it will be given you.” John 15:7.
Begin today to pray more consistently. Make a prayer list of concerns in your mind and on your heart. Begin to bring these before the Lord and you will see Him begin to move. He answers prayer! People get saved when God's people pray for them.
One of the tricks of Satan is leading us to believe prayer is simply a desirable exercise. Not so! It is an essential exercise, though terribly neglected by believers. In fact, it is more than an area of neglect; prayerlessness is sin. Thus Samuel assured the people of Israel, “As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you.” I Sam. 12:23.
Did you know that there are spiritual battles being waged? I know that you will never win the war if you don't know where the battle is being fought- and we are in a spiritual battle from the moment we're saved. In Ephesians 6:10-18 Paul plainly describes the battle and advises the Christian to put on the whole armor of God. We have been so involved in figuring out the armor that we've neglected to see where the battle is being fought. Therefore, we don't engage in the battle, but spend our time on the fringes doing things that are perhaps good, but are inconsequential as far as eternity and souls are concerned. The first activity mentioned after the armor in Eph. 5:18 is clearly prayer.
Satan does not want you to understand this because you'll never be a threat to him and his cause apart from prayer. Do anything you want to do, and he'll not bother you; begin to pray and he'll put you on his hit list. Satan trembles when he sees the weakest Christian on his knees.
Do you understand the place of prayer? God moves in response to the prayers of His people. Although our finite minds cannot understand “why” at this time, isn't it time that we simply obeyed Him and became involved in the battle? Every believer can begin today to make a tremendous difference in lives and circumstances through prayer.The Scriptures are our aid. Jesus said, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, (here is the place of Bible study) ask whatever you wish, (and here is the place of prayer) and it will be given you.” John 15:7.
Begin today to pray more consistently. Make a prayer list of concerns in your mind and on your heart. Begin to bring these before the Lord and you will see Him begin to move. He answers prayer! People get saved when God's people pray for them.
This Is Jesus Checking on You Today!
A minister passing through his churchin the middle of the day, Decided to pause by the altarand see who had come to pray. Just then the back door opened,a man came down the aisle, The minister frowned as he sawthe man hadn't shaved in a while.
His shirt was kind a shabbyand his coat was worn and frayed, the man knelt, he bowed his head,Then rose and walked away. In the days that followed,each noon time came this chap, each time he knelt just for a moment,A lunch pail in his lap.
Well, the minister's suspicions grew,with robbery a main fear, He decided to stop the man and ask him,'What are you doing here?' The old man said, he worked down the road.Lunch was half an hour. Lunchtime was his prayer time,For finding strength and power. 'I stay only moments, see,because the factory is so far away; as I kneel here talking to the Lord,This is kind a what I say:
'I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD, HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHER'S FRIENDSHIP AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN. DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY. SO, JESUS, THIS IS JIM CHECKING IN TODAY.'
The minister feeling foolish,told Jim, that was fine. He told the man he was welcomeTo come and pray just anytime. Time to go, Jim smiled, said 'Thanks.'He hurried to the door.
The minister knelt at the altar,he'd never done it before. His cold heart melted, warmed with love,and met with Jesus there. As the tears flowed, in his heart,he repeated old Jim's prayer:
'I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD, HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHER'S FRIENDSHIP AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN. I DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY. SO, JESUS, THIS IS ME CHECKING IN TODAY'
Past noon one day, the minister noticedthat old Jim hadn't come. As more days passed without Jim,he began to worry some. At the factory, he asked about him,learning he was ill. The hospital staff was worried,But he'd given them a thrill.
The week that Jim was with them,Brought changes in the ward. His smiles, a joy contagious.Changed people, were his reward. The head nurse couldn't understandwhy Jim was so glad, when no flowers, calls or cards came,Not a visitor he had.
The minister stayed by his bed,He voiced the nurse's concern: No friends came to show they cared.He had nowhere to turn. Looking surprised, old Jim spokeup and with a winsome smile; 'the nurse is wrong, she couldn't know,that in here all the while everyday at noon He's here,a dear friend of mine, you see, He sits right down, takes my hand,Leans over and says to me:'
I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, JIM, HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND THIS FRIENDSHIP, AND I TOOK AWAY YOUR SIN. ALWAYS LOVE TO HEAR YOU PRAY,I THINK ABOUT YOU EACH DAY,AND SO JIM, THIS IS JESUS CHECKING IN TODAY.
His shirt was kind a shabbyand his coat was worn and frayed, the man knelt, he bowed his head,Then rose and walked away. In the days that followed,each noon time came this chap, each time he knelt just for a moment,A lunch pail in his lap.
Well, the minister's suspicions grew,with robbery a main fear, He decided to stop the man and ask him,'What are you doing here?' The old man said, he worked down the road.Lunch was half an hour. Lunchtime was his prayer time,For finding strength and power. 'I stay only moments, see,because the factory is so far away; as I kneel here talking to the Lord,This is kind a what I say:
'I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD, HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHER'S FRIENDSHIP AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN. DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY. SO, JESUS, THIS IS JIM CHECKING IN TODAY.'
The minister feeling foolish,told Jim, that was fine. He told the man he was welcomeTo come and pray just anytime. Time to go, Jim smiled, said 'Thanks.'He hurried to the door.
The minister knelt at the altar,he'd never done it before. His cold heart melted, warmed with love,and met with Jesus there. As the tears flowed, in his heart,he repeated old Jim's prayer:
'I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD, HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHER'S FRIENDSHIP AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN. I DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY. SO, JESUS, THIS IS ME CHECKING IN TODAY'
Past noon one day, the minister noticedthat old Jim hadn't come. As more days passed without Jim,he began to worry some. At the factory, he asked about him,learning he was ill. The hospital staff was worried,But he'd given them a thrill.
The week that Jim was with them,Brought changes in the ward. His smiles, a joy contagious.Changed people, were his reward. The head nurse couldn't understandwhy Jim was so glad, when no flowers, calls or cards came,Not a visitor he had.
The minister stayed by his bed,He voiced the nurse's concern: No friends came to show they cared.He had nowhere to turn. Looking surprised, old Jim spokeup and with a winsome smile; 'the nurse is wrong, she couldn't know,that in here all the while everyday at noon He's here,a dear friend of mine, you see, He sits right down, takes my hand,Leans over and says to me:'
I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, JIM, HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND THIS FRIENDSHIP, AND I TOOK AWAY YOUR SIN. ALWAYS LOVE TO HEAR YOU PRAY,I THINK ABOUT YOU EACH DAY,AND SO JIM, THIS IS JESUS CHECKING IN TODAY.
As the Deer Pants for the Water Brooks, So My Soul Longs for You, O God!
Psalm 42:1-2 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
(1) Let Us Get hungry for God. Get thirsty for his mercy. Ask the Lord to make you conscious of your need for Him. Ask Him to give you an intense hunger and thirst for righteousness. Ask Him to place within your heart a longing for intimacy with Him, for purity of life, for the salvation of friends and neighbors, for revival in His church, and for the advancement of His kingdom in the world.
(2) Meditate on the spiritual riches God has promised His children. Compare the reality of your spiritual experience with the abundance He offers. If you are not enjoying the fullness of His peace, joy, freedom, and power, let that motivate you to come boldly to His throne of grace to receive all that He has promised.
(3) Welcome pressures and problems as an opportunity to cry out to God. Though my natural instinct is to wish for a life free from pain, trouble, and adversity, I am learning to welcome anything that makes me conscious of my need for Him. The psalmist said, "When I was in distress, I sought the Lord" (Ps. 77:2). And "Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD" (Ps. 130:1; see also Ps. 107:5–6; Jn. 2:1, 7).
Rather than running from, resenting, or resisting problems, learn to embrace them, for they move us to seek the Lord. When we have nowhere else to turn, we will be more likely to turn to Him.
4) Recognize that without Him you can do nothing. I sometimes wonder how much of my work for God will go up in smoke at the Judgment Seat of Christ, because it was done independently of His enabling and power. It was my agenda and my effort, not His. When I walk through my day without expressing my need for Him, without asking for His grace and enabling, I am really saying, "Lord, I can do this without You." All such labor is of the flesh and is less than worthless in terms of eternal or spiritual value.
(5) Remember that spiritual battles cannot be won without divine intervention. In the midst of everyday realities, we so easily forget about the warfare that is going on in the heavenly realm. How often do we tackle life's challenges and demands under our own means-natural wisdom, human effort, man-made programs-rather than in dependence on the power of His Spirit? Ask God to give you eyes of faith to see the real battle; the vision will move you to cry out to Him to exercise His power over the unseen forces of darkness.
May God grant us faith and boldness to approach His throne. For when we do so, we link arms with Omnipotence and become instruments of the fulfillment of His eternal purposes on this earth.
Our prayers that we persistently take to God over and over will bear much fruit. . Miracles tend to happen when there is a desperate need. Folks need to rely on God to meet their needs. Miracles still happen in places where there is a total reliance on God, and the accompanying belief that He will answer.
(1) Let Us Get hungry for God. Get thirsty for his mercy. Ask the Lord to make you conscious of your need for Him. Ask Him to give you an intense hunger and thirst for righteousness. Ask Him to place within your heart a longing for intimacy with Him, for purity of life, for the salvation of friends and neighbors, for revival in His church, and for the advancement of His kingdom in the world.
(2) Meditate on the spiritual riches God has promised His children. Compare the reality of your spiritual experience with the abundance He offers. If you are not enjoying the fullness of His peace, joy, freedom, and power, let that motivate you to come boldly to His throne of grace to receive all that He has promised.
(3) Welcome pressures and problems as an opportunity to cry out to God. Though my natural instinct is to wish for a life free from pain, trouble, and adversity, I am learning to welcome anything that makes me conscious of my need for Him. The psalmist said, "When I was in distress, I sought the Lord" (Ps. 77:2). And "Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD" (Ps. 130:1; see also Ps. 107:5–6; Jn. 2:1, 7).
Rather than running from, resenting, or resisting problems, learn to embrace them, for they move us to seek the Lord. When we have nowhere else to turn, we will be more likely to turn to Him.
4) Recognize that without Him you can do nothing. I sometimes wonder how much of my work for God will go up in smoke at the Judgment Seat of Christ, because it was done independently of His enabling and power. It was my agenda and my effort, not His. When I walk through my day without expressing my need for Him, without asking for His grace and enabling, I am really saying, "Lord, I can do this without You." All such labor is of the flesh and is less than worthless in terms of eternal or spiritual value.
(5) Remember that spiritual battles cannot be won without divine intervention. In the midst of everyday realities, we so easily forget about the warfare that is going on in the heavenly realm. How often do we tackle life's challenges and demands under our own means-natural wisdom, human effort, man-made programs-rather than in dependence on the power of His Spirit? Ask God to give you eyes of faith to see the real battle; the vision will move you to cry out to Him to exercise His power over the unseen forces of darkness.
May God grant us faith and boldness to approach His throne. For when we do so, we link arms with Omnipotence and become instruments of the fulfillment of His eternal purposes on this earth.
Our prayers that we persistently take to God over and over will bear much fruit. . Miracles tend to happen when there is a desperate need. Folks need to rely on God to meet their needs. Miracles still happen in places where there is a total reliance on God, and the accompanying belief that He will answer.
Let God Soften Your Heart and Fertilize Your Roots With His Word
Do you have hard or dry places in your heart today? If so, God wants to soften those areas. He promises in Ezekiel that He will take out the stony, hard heart, and He will replace it with a new heart, a heart that is open to Him. And when you have an open and receptive heart, you are good ground! We need to till that ground and apply fertilizer. Open it up so that the seed of the Word will take root and grow, and it will produce an abundant harvest of blessing in every area of your life!
As we fertilize our spiritual roots, remember that the goal of the palm (or apple) tree is not to produce coconuts (or apples); it is to produce another tree. Our greatest desire should always be to reach out to others in the name of Jesus Christ. The blessings we receive should impel us to share that good news with others, to reach out to the lost and the hurting to bring them in. We are God's welcoming people!
As we fertilize our spiritual roots, remember that the goal of the palm (or apple) tree is not to produce coconuts (or apples); it is to produce another tree. Our greatest desire should always be to reach out to others in the name of Jesus Christ. The blessings we receive should impel us to share that good news with others, to reach out to the lost and the hurting to bring them in. We are God's welcoming people!
You Are Like A Tree Planted By the Water!
"Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted.” (Matthew 13:8).
There are many kinds of seeds we can sow, but do you know what produces the best crop? The seed of God's Word planted on the soil of our hearts. The more of the Word you take into your heart, the more abundant harvest it will produce. Our job, as believers, is to make sure we are good ground.
The scripture tells us there are things that can choke the seed of the Word out of our hearts. The cares of this world, greed and selfishness act as thorns that stop the seed from growing. It also tells us that in order for the seed to take root, we need to stand strong during the difficult times when persecution and challenges come.
Follow the encouragement found in Psalms chapter 1, to let our spiritual roots go down deep into God’s Word and prayer to bring fresh spiritual life. I want to expand on that image to think about what kind of trees we might exemplify, and I want to think about the palm.
Studies prove that during a hurricane, a palm tree will simply stretch and not break from the strong winds. It’s bent and pushed over, and all the while, its root system is actually being strengthened and given new opportunities for growth. That is the same way we were built to be. In Psalm 92:12 we read, “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree.” That means God knew there would be difficult times in our lives, that things would come against us, trying to steal our joy, peace and victory. He’s not surprised by our difficulties, but rather knew ahead of time and equipped us with everything we need in Him! Because we have strong roots, we are going bounce right back. The storms in life will come. The winds will blow. But no weapon formed against us will prosper!
In these times of social upheaval these are important lessons for us to have firmly planted within us. The markets should bounce back, as do we. A bounce-back person sees adversity and every setback not as permanent, but temporary. It’s not going to last forever. You can be encouraged by every difficulty that comes your way by knowing that with God you can come out better than you were before. Why is that? Because it is in our DNA. God created us and intends us to walk in the same power which raised Christ from the dead; that same overcoming power and attitude that even the grave can’t keep down.
There are many kinds of seeds we can sow, but do you know what produces the best crop? The seed of God's Word planted on the soil of our hearts. The more of the Word you take into your heart, the more abundant harvest it will produce. Our job, as believers, is to make sure we are good ground.
The scripture tells us there are things that can choke the seed of the Word out of our hearts. The cares of this world, greed and selfishness act as thorns that stop the seed from growing. It also tells us that in order for the seed to take root, we need to stand strong during the difficult times when persecution and challenges come.
Follow the encouragement found in Psalms chapter 1, to let our spiritual roots go down deep into God’s Word and prayer to bring fresh spiritual life. I want to expand on that image to think about what kind of trees we might exemplify, and I want to think about the palm.
Studies prove that during a hurricane, a palm tree will simply stretch and not break from the strong winds. It’s bent and pushed over, and all the while, its root system is actually being strengthened and given new opportunities for growth. That is the same way we were built to be. In Psalm 92:12 we read, “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree.” That means God knew there would be difficult times in our lives, that things would come against us, trying to steal our joy, peace and victory. He’s not surprised by our difficulties, but rather knew ahead of time and equipped us with everything we need in Him! Because we have strong roots, we are going bounce right back. The storms in life will come. The winds will blow. But no weapon formed against us will prosper!
In these times of social upheaval these are important lessons for us to have firmly planted within us. The markets should bounce back, as do we. A bounce-back person sees adversity and every setback not as permanent, but temporary. It’s not going to last forever. You can be encouraged by every difficulty that comes your way by knowing that with God you can come out better than you were before. Why is that? Because it is in our DNA. God created us and intends us to walk in the same power which raised Christ from the dead; that same overcoming power and attitude that even the grave can’t keep down.
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