A few days ago I was praying and I kind of got the thought in my head, "How do I see prayer?" Do I truly see it as communication with my heavenly Father, a true belief that He is hearing and listening and answering? Do I feel it is reaching for His hand and heart, seeking answers, seeking deliverance, healing, salvation....Do I believe it's effective, a powerful weapon against Satan, against sin, against temptation? Am I really believing prayer works?
I pray. A lot. Consistently. But sometimes I feel like I don't put my belief and trust in the words I speak, or in the God I speak to. I don't really mean this in that I don't believe God. I mean I'm praying because I know it's what I'm supposed to do, but not with the sense of expectancy I should be. Almost as if I don't believe my prayers are weapons that reach heaven's throne and find their way into the hands of our loving Father. I'm struggling to put into words the doubts and confusion in my heart over this issue. I believe, but I struggle to not pray by rote. I know I'm doing what God wants me to do when I pray, but I lack something. And I can't put my finger on it. I guess God will be revealing this in steps. LOL
And so as this thought came into my mind, I resolved to study prayer more deeply. I've set my mind to picture myself coming before my Father, prayers in hand so that He can take them and work His answers out in the right way at the right time. I've settled my heart to believe He is active with what I ask Him, and that I will know that there is power in prayer because the One I speak to is all powerful.
I've been praying a lot lately that the Lord would take me deeper with and closer to Him. I think this latest God visit is in answer to my hearts cry. I know He is calling me to a new level of intimacy and communion with Himself. I am so excited for this! Where will He take me next? Where is He taking you?
Lord, another amazing, enlightening, growing visit. I'm so blessed by Your constant working in me. I pray, and yes I believe as I pray, that You want us to pray with meaning, with power, with expectancy and with belief. Help us to pray with the knowledge that we are doing a real thing when we pray, as much as any physical action we can take. I think that is the next step in this revelation. To see prayer as a real, active, almost tactile action to take. That it's more alive, more real, more powerful than anything we can do in the physical realm. Give us Your heart for prayer. It is in Jesus' Name I come and lay this request in You capable, loving hands. Amen.
Just an adendum to the previous God visit. Our Father sent this verse to affirm what He spoke through my group leader in BSF.
Micah 7:18-19 Where is another God like you, who pardons the guilt of the remnant, overlooking the sins of his special people? You will not stay angry with your people forever, because you delight in showing unfailing love. Once again you will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean!
Do you rehearse your sins over and over? Come to God for forgiveness for age old sins and mistakes of the past? Return to the guilt of your former sins time and time again? Do you live there?
I do sometimes. I feel like the consequences of my sin find me each and every day. I continue to remember them, even though I know I've been forgiven...or maybe I don't know. Maybe I haven't accepted that forgiveness as much as I thought I did.
So I was in my Bible Study Fellowship class and we were discussing the answers to our weekly questions. This week's discussion found us in the small book of Habbakuk. We were studying in chaper 3:1-2 3 This prayer was sung by the prophet Habakkuk: I have heard all about you, Lord. I am filled with awe by your amazing works. In this time of our deep need, help us again as you did in years gone by. And in your anger, remember your mercy.
The study's question was: How might you reflect the posture of this prayer today? What might you ask of God? My answer was: "Be merciful as I live in the consequences of my sin. Send relief like you've done in other situations." Well, okay. I thought it was a pretty fair answer. It's heartfelt, honest and Habakkuk was all about honest communication with the Lord. So our group leader says, "I don't know why, but I feel led to say, 'If God remembers your sin no more, why do you keep remembering it?'" WOW!! She swears she has no idea why that came to mind or why she felt so strongly to say it. But we all know. LOL It was the Holy Spirit prompting her to speak to my heart from our loving Father who wants me to be free of this mindset....constant living in the past because I feel like everything difficult or unwanted in my present stems from the mistakes of years ago. I have not let go of those mistakes. Have I really even accepted the Lord's forgiveness?
Psalm 103:12 He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. 1 John 1:9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. These words from our Lord are not just space fillers in the Bible. They are there for a reason. But many of us live our lives as if they are not meant for us personally. I believe that's what I've been doing. These are the truths God gives us. Yet why do we sometimes act like He's up there keeping a long running score card? Do we not believe what He says? Do we not believe who He is?
I need so much to hear the words spoken by our group leader. This is something I am still processing and learning to live in. There is a lot to unpack for me in this small but powerful statement given to me by the Holy Spirit. I feeling like now it is time to practice forgetting. What a beautiful word for my heart. And I hope your's as well.
Oh Lord, forgive me for doubting Your love and goodness. Your Word tells us You forgive us. That is enough for me. Forgive me for setting myself above Your mercy and grace. And thank You that Your forgiveness is complete and absolute. You truly are the most winsome of all beings and the most loving of all Fathers. What a blessing to be called Your child. Thank You for bringing correction into our lives when we need it.
Psalm 103 Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. 2 Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. 3 He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. 4 He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. 5 He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s! 6 The Lord gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly. 7 He revealed his character to Moses and his deeds to the people of Israel. 8 The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. 9 He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. 10 He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. 11 For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. 12 He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. 13 The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. 14 For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust. 15 Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die. 16 The wind blows, and we are gone—as though we had never been here. 17 But the love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children’s children 18 of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments! 19 The Lord has made the heavens his throne; from there he rules over everything. 20 Praise the Lord, you angels, you mighty ones who carry out his plans, listening for each of his commands. 21 Yes, praise the Lord, you armies of angels who serve him and do his will! 22 Praise the Lord, everything he has created, everything in all his kingdom. Let all that I am praise the Lord.
Not sure about you, but I can be pretty hard hearted at times. With part of my family, toughness was considered a desirable trait. They grew up in NYC and that is just the way one was. I toughened up to "fit in." Over the years, emotional hurts, losses...they all took their toll and my heart grew a thorny shell around it. Letting people, even God in or feeling too deeply became impossible because of the wall I put up. I'm trying to remedy now. I'm allowing the feelings to come, seeking God for the ability to pull up the roots of toughness and replace those hard rock places with His fertile soil.
So recently I was headed to a certain chapter in the Bible (I can't even remember where I was going lol), and I came to a page that I had a highlight on. Mark 3:5 He looked around at them angrily and was deeply saddened by the hard hearts. Then He said to the man, "Hold our your hand." (Jesus was speaking to his enemies. He wanted to heal a man on the Sabbath and of course they were trying to trap Jesus into going against their law). Next to this passage I had written my short prayer, "Give me a soft heart."
So I continued in my search for the passage I was looking for and the next page I turned to had the answer to my short prayer above. (This was also a highlighted passage in my Bible, which is why I noticed both these passages.) This answer came in the words of Jesus to a leper who had come to Him for healing. The leper said to Jesus in Mark 1:40..."If You are willing, You can heal me and make me clean."
Jesus' reply was my answer as well. In verse 41, "Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him, "I am willing," He said, "Be healed!"
Amazing grace! What a wonderful Lord we serve. I was so elated, knowing that God had heard my prayer and desired to answer it in the affirmative. I know I am on my way to being healed of the wall I built, that He is tearing down my fortresses in order that I may glorify and serve Him better, and have a deeper, more intimate closeness with my Lord. I am thrilled with this prospect.
God may not always answer prayers the way we want Him to. He may not give us the winning lottery numbers, a new car, physical healing on earth, a promotion at work or the spouse we desire. He knows what is best for us in those situations, so "no" may be the answer He is giving. But He will always answer in the affirmative prayers that ask for a deeper relationship with Him. He will always answer our prayers to serve Him better. He will always answer our prayers that ask for growth in our walk with Him. Psalm 37:4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. When we make the Lord our delight, we will ask for things according to His will. Our heart will desire what He desires.
I was so grateful to get this "instant answer" from Jesus. This Godvisit definitely made my heart soar.
Thank You Lord for giving me a heart that desires softness and a deep, abiding, on fire, intimate relationship with You. I am so grateful for these little visits, these small gems You give us each and everyday. Help us to look for them that we may be encouraged. And give us all soft hearts, passionate for what You are. Lord, life has knocked so many of us around and we've grown weary, maybe even calloused. Soften us, plow up the stony, hard soil of our hearts that we may be fruitful in Your kingdom. We love You. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
I don't know who needs to hear this today, but it's a good reminder for all of us. God values you, and me and each person He has created.
We are doing a study called Culture Shock by Chip Ingram. In this study we a few different social issues of our time and find out how God's sees these things and how to address these topics with those who disagree with a Biblical worldview.
In today's topic on abortion we learned how God sees each human being. And the Bible verses really spoke to me about how valuable each and everyone of us are to our Father. If you've had an abortion, you have to realize that God loves you perfectly. You are not beyond that love. If you know someone who has had one, perhaps you can share that message of God's love and forgiveness with them. We all have fallen short of the glory of God in one way or another. Psalm 86:5-7 You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you. Hear my prayer, O Lord; listen to my cry for mercy. In the day of my trouble I will call to You, for You will answer me. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
But I digress. It's the Bible verses that came with this study that resonated with my heart. They are the message we all need to hear and remember. God sees value and worth in each and everyone of us.
Let's see these verse that give show us God's heart toward us.
Genesis 1:27 So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him, male and female He created them.
Psalm 139:13-16 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. 15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. 16 You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.
Jeremiah 31:3 Long ago the Lord said to Israel: “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.
1 Corinthians 6:20 You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
Mark 10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many.
Created in God's image. Thoughtfully and skillfully woven together. Loved with an eternal love. Bought at the price of Jesus' blood. Ransomed by the Son of God.
Amazing! That is how much God loves you. Receive and cling to that love. The devil may come and say "You don't deserve it." He may whisper in your ear "You've gone too far, done too many things wrong, horrible things that cannot be forgiven." Lies. He is a liar. John 8:44 For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. You are valuable and precious to our heavenly Father. And nothing and no one can separate you from His love. Romans 8:35-39 35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36 (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.” 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. 38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
So the next time Satan comes around telling you that you're worthless or no good, God couldn't possibly love or want you...You answer Him with God's Word. You cling to the truth and reject the lies that try and bind your heart. God thought you were worth dying for!
Lord, thank You. A million times thank You. We are so lowly, yet You love us. So falliable, yet You embrace us. So prone to wander, yet You died for us. That we are so precious to You, that we are Your treasure...amazes and thrills me. Lord, help us to believe the truth of Your Word over the lies of the enemy, no matter how many times we've heard those lies. I pray this in Jesus Name. Amen.
Write out these and other Scriptures about your worth to God. Use them as a shield against the fiery darts of the enemy.
I've posted a bit about the bathroom fiasco that we have gone through over the last few months. The job was not well done and we have been very dissatisfied with the finished project. I've probably complained or vented to anyone who listened. And I am still finding new spots of "not done so well." And each time I do I get peaved again. The Lord does correct me, telling me I need to pray for the people who did this job.
Well, as happens quite often, God spoke through Joyce M this morning on my walk. Joyce spoke about a time in her ministry where someone broke a contract with them. Needless to say she was quite upset about it. But the Lord spoke to her and told her to give it over to Him as a seed, an offering. Wow. God went straight to my heart with that one.
I was convicted to let go of my anger and resentment at the bathroom renovaters. I was to sow forgiveness and mercy as seeds to the Lord. We've played around in our discussions about going to small claims court. We've spoken to and have been promised by (but I doubt it will happen) the owner of this company about giving us money back to repair some of the mistakes they made. But I really feel the Lord is telling me it's time to let this go as an offering to Him.
The Lord is a God of justice. And He will get justice for His people. Psalm 9:16 The Lord is known for his justice. The wicked are trapped by their own deeds.Psalm 36:10 Pour out your unfailing love on those who love you; give justice to those with honest hearts.Isaiah 42:3 He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. He will bring justice to all who have been wronged. Isaiah 61:8 “For I, the Lord, love justice. I hate robbery and wrongdoing. I will faithfully reward my people for their suffering and make an everlasting covenant with them.
It's not my job to "make others pay." It's not my job to curse others or wish them ill. God's children are called to be peacemakers. Matthew 5:9 God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. James 3:18 And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.
Would we be within our rights to seek justice through the courts? Yes. But I do not believe that would be sowing seeds of peace. I believe that would be taking matters into my own hands. And that would be leaving God out of the picture.
As for Joyce's problem above, it worked out better for the ministry than they would have ever thought possible. Instead of being heard once away on a radio station, God made it so they would be heard every day! His justice was betten than they could have imagined.
Where have you been treated unfairly? When has someone done you wrong that you continue to hold onto? Does unforgiveness and bitterness lurk in your heart? Let it go. Give it to our Father as a seed for Him to grow in your life. And leave the harvest up to Him. Let His justice prevail and walk your road in peace and joy instead of anger and resentment. Remember, Jesus told us in Matthew 5:44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!
Lord, let us not walk in unforgiveness towards those who did us wrong. It's so hard not to complain and rehash those wrongs over and over. To let resentment build. Help us to walk in love instead of anger or hate. We leave them in Your hands. You will handle it. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
We'v been traveling through the Old Testament tracing the rise and fall of the Israelite kingdom. We've seen the highs and the lows, the obedience and the defiance of God's chosen people. We studied kings who whole-heartedly and half-heartedly followed the Lord, as well as those who chose idols and rebellion. And through it all we've seen God's faithfulness.
I feel like we are in a time that mimics the journey of the Israelites from powerful kingdom to captive exiles. I wonder (and I'm kind of pretty certain at this point) if we are not coming under God's discipline here. Natural disasters and civic disagreement are more and more common. Crime seems to be acceptable, corruption is common and anger is the mood of many. It's sad and scary. I wonder if Israel stared down the same problems. Satan and his minions are seemingly gaining ground every day.
But as we followed Israel's journey we saw God's love and desire for His people. God's fierce wrath at the sins of His people was born out of His fierce love. He took no joy in punishing His people, but did so in an effort to draw them back to Himself. Ezekiel 33:11 As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live. Turn! Turn from your wickedness, O people of Israel! Why should you die? We saw that the punishments were only allowed to go so far and go on for so long. Even after Judah fell to Babylon, there was a remnant of God's people who remained faithful to Him and Him to them.
I say all this to encourage us today. The world around us gets darker with each trip around the sun. But that is not the end. That is not meant to cause us fear. There was a great line in our BSF Kingdom Divided workbook that said, "Things are not falling apart, they are falling into place." Jesus warned us there would be wars, famine, and crazy natural disasters that would usher in the end times. His instructions were clear though, be about His business and be ready. Be seeking the lost, caring for each other, and spending copious amounts of time in the Presence of our Lord and Savior (see parable of the ten virgins below). We will need His strength to endure what's coming, and even what's already begun. I kind of feel terrified and excited all at the same time. I pray now, that the Lord increases our urgency and boldness to share the Gospel with as many people as we can.
Mark 13:3-37 3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?” 5 And Jesus, answering them, began to say: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 6 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and will deceive many. 7 But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. 8 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows. 9 “But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them. 10 And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations. 11 But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. 12 Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 13 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 “So when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not” (let the reader understand), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15 Let him who is on the housetop not go down into the house, nor enter to take anything out of his house. 16 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 17 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 18 And pray that your flight may not be in winter. 19 For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be. 20 And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days. 21 “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, He is there!’ do not believe it. 22 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 23 But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand. 24 “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; 25 the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven. 28 “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it is near—at the doors! 30 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. 32 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. 34 It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. 35 Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning— 36 lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”
Matthew 25:1-13 “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. 6 “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ 7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. 1 “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ 12 But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
Lord, help us to be ready when the time comes for Your return. Please fill our lamps with the oil of the Holy Spirit that we may be a light in the darkness of this world. Give us bold hearts to share Your love and salvation with those around us. Open the doors, open our hearts open our eyes, and open our mouths to the lost. May we be about our Father's business. Lord, we know that things are scary, and will get worse, but we also know that nothing is a surprise to You and that You will carry us through. We are in Your hands and therefore we can rest in Your care, being at peace no matter what goes on around us. Help us to follow You closely. Lord, these times that are here, that are coming could be so discouraging. We will be called names, rejected, perhaps eventually even jailed or killed for our obedience to You. Let us be strong in the power of Your might. Now is the time to be strengthened. Now is the time to ready ourselves. We look forward to Your return. We are foreigners here, sojourners on our way to our real country. Let us not love the world or the things in it so much that we forget where our true citizenship lies. Lord, we pray for Your holy fire to fill our hearts. Let our lives honor You and bring Your glory, whatever may happen. It is in Jesus' mighty and holy Name I pray. Amen.
