The wise men bring gifts

When [the wise men] saw the star, the were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:10-11

The wise men realized the miracle they witnessed as they found the child Jesus. They didn't expect God to find them or to shower them with gifts. Instead, they brought gifts to him. Perhaps the most important was their worship. As we approach the start of another year, consider the gift you can offer God. Time together in prayer and in the Bible become gifts to you both!


Dear God, as the days pass and the time comes closer for Jesus to return, help us draw near to you. Teach us to pray and to hear your voice. Thank you for your love and the abundant blessing of a Savior. In Jesus' name, Amen.


Do you have a New Year's Resolution? Leave a comment and let us pray for you!

Not everyone rejoiced at Jesus' birth

After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother," the angel said. "Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him." Matthew 2:13

Three amazing things happen in this verse. First, an angel speaks to Joseph in a dream. It's not recorded in this verse, but the Bible tells us that Joseph obeyed that warning (also an amazing thing!). Second, the angel promises to revisit Joseph and direct him further. Third, someone wants to kill the Messiah. The threats on Jesus' life began the minute he was born, but it wasn't time yet. God's plan would not be thwarted. He is sovereign and kind, and He wants to fulfill a plan in your life.

Dear God, please help us recognize your direction and your plan for our individual lives. May we never try to kill the Savior in our hearts or try to silence your plan for the world. Thank you for your kindness. Help us walk close to you. In Jesus' name, Amen.


Who can you commit to praying for, that their heart would be softened and their eyes opened to the truth?

The shepherds respond to Jesus' birth

[The shepherds] hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child...The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. Luke 2:16, 17, 20

The New Living Translation of the Bible uses the word 'terrified' to describe the shepherds initial response to the angel who told them about Jesus' birth. In the end, though, they hurried to meet the newborn Savior. After meeting Him, they couldn't keep the Good News to themselves. Not only did they tell everyone, they praised God. It is not our first reaction to Jesus that defines our lives. It is what we do with the Good News that determines our eternity.

Dear Jesus, thank you again for coming to a fallen world and living as a man so we could live in paradise with You forever. Define our lives. May we be full of praise as those shepherds were and glorify God for all the world to see. In Your name, Amen.


What was your first reaction to Jesus? Has it changed?

Anna praises God

"[Anna] never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God." Luke 2:37, 38

The Bible tells us Anna was a widow and a prophet who lived to the age of eighty-four. She enjoyed a close relationship with God because of her time in fasting and prayer. As an older woman, Anna met the child Jesus. Her immediate reaction was praise! Then, "She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem" (Luke 2:38). May we react with such enthusiasm and immediate need to share the miracle of Jesus with others.

Dear God, help us speak boldly to the ones who need rescue. Give us the words to share Jesus. May we also enjoy a close relationship with you through prayer. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Who do you know that needs rescue today? What words is God giving you to share Jesus with them?

Jumping for joy

"When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy." Luke 1:44

Even before he was born, John (Jesus' cousin and later known as John the Baptist) jumped for joy to be near Jesus. For the rest of his life, John would proclaim the Good News about a Savior, born of a virgin, come to "take away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29). No matter what the situation looked like, no matter who he spoke to, no matter what the consequences, John spoke boldly for the Messiah and jumped for joy to be near Him.

Dear God, thank you again for sending your Son to be our Savior. Thank you for bringing us to realize our need. Jesus, thank you for being born. In Your name we pray, Amen.

Do you jump for joy to be near Jesus? How would you react if you could physically see and touch Him?

Elizabeth's response to Mary's news

Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, "God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed." Luke 1:42

Elizabeth was the mother of John the Baptist, the one who would become "the prophet of the Most High" (Luke 1:76). The Bible tells us that in her old age, Elizabeth conceived the son she had long desired. In faith, she believed her child would be born with great purpose on his life. Even more important, she believed Mary carried the Messiah all Israel had long desired. With all the possible reactions Elizabeth might have shown, she chose faith. May our faith be strengthened as we celebrate the birth of the Messiah!

Dear God, thank you for sending our Rescue. Please help us be like Elizabeth and show glad faith to others who need to experience it. May they be blessed through our belief in the Messiah. In Jesus' name, Amen.

How is your faith in Jesus today?

Joseph's Obedience

"When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife... And Joseph named [the child] Jesus." Matthew 1:24, 25

The Bible does not talk about Joseph's prayer life, but we know he was a godly man. He followed the traditions and the law of the Lord, taking his family to Jerusalem each year for the Passover and training his sons in Scripture. He must have been unusually close to God to be chosen as the earthly father of God's only Son. We know he was obedient, regardless of the consequences. May we also be remembered for lives of service and obedience to God.

Dear God, please help us to be obedient. May we recognize your calling and strive to please you no matter the consequences. Thank you for the examples of other believers in your Word, and thank you for your Son. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Do you recognize God's calling on your life? What does it look like?

Mary responded, "I am the Lord's servant. May everything you have said about me come true." Luke 1:38

When the angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would conceive a child by the Holy Spirit, Mary's first - and immediate - reaction was obedience. She didn't waver. She didn't ask questions beyond the first, "How can this happen? I am a virgin" (Luke 1:34). She didn't doubt.

When God visits us, whether by supernatural means or through His Spirit in prayer or reading the Bible, how do we react? Suspicion? Cynicism? Intellect? Do we show a humble and willing heart? May we, like Mary, confess that we are servants of the Most High God, blessed to participate in any plan He authors.

Dear God, please help us recognize You. We pray that our hearts would willingly accept Your divine plan. May we be obedient to Your calling on our lives. We bless You and praise You for using us. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Has God placed a call on your life? How have you responded?

Give thanks for His provision

He gives food to every living thing.
  His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of heaven.
  His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 136:25, 26

We end our in-depth look at Psalm 136 the day before Thanksgiving. Isn't it just God's way to wrap things up on time and with a satisfying note? This Thanksgiving, remember that God gives food to every living thing. Sometimes, He uses us to deliver it! Matthew 6 tells us that God feeds even the birds of the air, and we are much more precious to Him. Not only does He give us food to nourish our bodies, but He feeds our spirits as well. Let's make sure to feast on communion with Him and the abundance of His word as much as we do the blessings on our tables.

Father God, thank you for your provision. Please continue to show us your abundance. May we reflect your light and love to someone in need today. Thank you for all you do in our lives. In Jesus' name, Amen.

How do you spend the Thanksgiving holiday? Look around and see if there is someone you can help feed in Jesus' name.

Give thanks for His strength

He remembered us in our weakness.
  His faithful love endures forever.
He saved us from our enemies.
  His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 136:23, 24

We struggle against addictions, depression, discouragement, doubt, worldly desires, and physical enemies. But take heart! God is faithful to remember us in our weakness. When you feel the world pressing in, press into Him. In His strength, He saves us from our enemies. His love endures no matter what you're facing today.


Dear God, thank you for loving me no matter what I do. Thank you for saving me from my enemies. Your strength is awesome to behold and I am in awe of you. May I give the glory to you in every situation. In Jesus' name, Amen.


What is your prayer of thanksgiving? Leave a comment so we can give thanks for you too!

Give thanks for the inheritance

God gave the land of these kings as an inheritance -
  His faithful love endures forever.
a special possession to his servant Israel.
  His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 136: 21, 22

As the children of Israel were obedient to God's call, He rewarded them. They had to fight the battles, but in faith they knew God was with them, giving them victory over the enemy. When the battle was won, God gave them their inheritance - something that would always remind them of the battle, their obedience, and God's faithfulness. He gave them the very land the enemy had possessed.

Father God, thank you for going ahead of us in battle. Thank you for your faithfulness and love as you give us victory. Please help us stay faithful to you. Help us win the battle and take possession of the inheritance you have prepared. In Jesus' name, Amen.

What battles do you fight today? We pray that you meet the enemy with faith, knowing God is with you and giving you victory!

Mighty kings

Give thanks to him who struck down mighty kings. His faithful love endures forever.
He killed powerful kings. His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 136:17-18

Though there are many gods in our culture, the God of creation is the one who deserves our praise and thanks. He is capable of building up and destroying. Is there any other god who can claim the same power? Often in our lives, we give a created idol the adoration that belongs to God alone. Money, power, relationships, and celebrities are a few of the created idols we might be giving an inappropriate place in our lives.

Father God, thank you for your power and your faithful love. Please forgive me for worshiping anything besides you and help me turn my entire heart to you. In Jesus' name, Amen.

What idols exist in your life?

Through the wilderness

Give thanks to him who led his people through the wilderness. His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 136:16

Sometimes everyday life looks and feels like the wilderness. Cold, dark, and lonely places affect us no matter what we believe about God. The thanksgiving comes in knowing that we serve the almighty God of love. Like a tender parent, He touches His children in the frightening darkness and leads us through the hardship. As we see the light and feel His warmth, we grow closer to Him.


Dear God, thank you for your guidance and direction. Please take us by the hand and show us the light. May we reflect your love and glory in the darkness, too. In Jesus' name, Amen.

What darkness are you walking through? Leave a comment so we can pray for you!

Give thanks for protection

Give thanks to him who parted the Red Sea. His faithful love endures forever.
He led Israel safely through, His faithful love endures forever.
but he hurled Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea. His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 136:13-15

Not only did God deliver His people from the overbearing and wicked hand of the Pharaoh, God protected His people as they obeyed His call to move on. Be assured that no matter how impossible your task seems, God will give you the strength, the means, and the protection to proceed. But you have to be obedient to the call! To get fresh perspective on the magnitude of what God did for the ones he loves, read Exodus 1-15.

Dearest God, thank you for your endless love and protection. Please help us recognize Your voice and be obedient to your call. In Jesus' name, Amen.


How do you recognize His voice and His protection in your life?

Give thanks for deliverance

Give thanks to him who killed the firstborn of Egypt. His faithful love endures forever.
He brought Israel out of Egypt. His faithful love endures forever.
He acted with a strong hand and powerful arm. His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 136:10-12

More miracles! God brought the Passover to atone for the sins of His people. He delivered them from a controlling and unbelieving Pharaoh. Today, we have Jesus Christ, who delivers us from sin and disbelief. Indeed, His love is faithful and endures forever!

Dear Lord, thank you for your faithfulness! Thank you for delivering your people. May we share this good news with someone you love today. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Have you experienced the strong hand and powerful arm of God? What is your deliverance?

Give thanks for miracles

Did you catch it?

Give thanks to Him who alone does mighty miracles (Psalm 136:4). God alone performs miracles. Many are recorded in the Bible to lift our faith and keep our eyes open. The rest of Psalm 136 goes over some of the miracles God alone performs. Think you've never seen one? Think again:

Give thanks to him who made the heavens so skillfully. His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to him who placed the earth among the waters. His faithful love endures forever.
Give thanks to him who made the heavenly lights - His faithful love endures forever.
the sun to rule the day, his faithful love endures forever.
and the moon and stars to rule the night. His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 136:5-9

The sky, the earth itself (indeed, the very universe was crafted by God's hand), the waters, the sun, and the stars were all created in miraculous fashion. So the next time you look up, remember the God who performs miracles.

Dear God, thank you for the evidence of miracles. Open our eyes to see everyday miracles in our lives. May we bless you and shine your light today. In Jesus' name, Amen.

What miracles can you see in your own life?

Give thanks to the Lord of lords

Give thanks to the Lord of lords. His faithful love endures forever. Give thanks to Him alone who does mighty miracles. His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 136:3, 4

Psalm 136 lists many reasons to give thanks, many characteristics of God. His goodness, His sovereignty, His power, and His miracles are just the beginning. Having an attitude of thankfulness allows us to see Him more clearly - and when we see Him, we can introduce others to Him.

Dear Lord, thank you for your power and your love. Thank you for performing miracles that we see and that we don't see. Please help us reflect your love today. In Jesus' name, Amen.

What are you thankful for today?

Give thanks to the God of gods

Give thanks to the God of gods. His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 136:2

The world creates many gods (sex, television, money, self, etc.) but they are fleeting. They don't have the power of the Creator or the love of the Savior. None of the world's gods are faithful to you or to themselves. They are demanding, demeaning, and degrading.

By contrast, we are invited to get to know the God of all gods, the timeless Creator of the universe, the One your soul loves (even if you don't know it yet). What better reason to give thanks?

Dear God, thank you for your faithfulness and for your endless love! Please help us recognize you and share your light with others. Amen.

Reasons to give thanks

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 136:1

With the holidays beginning, it's easy to lose focus and forget the purpose behind the music, lights, food, and gifts. It's common to practice thanksgiving on Thanksgiving day, but how do we show gratitude the rest of the year? Psalm 136 is a beautiful expression of thanksgiving. Over the next several days, we'll look at it more closely. As the psalmist demonstrates, there are many things to be thankful for no matter what life looks like.

Dear Lord, help us develop an attitude of thanksgiving that we demonstrate every day. Reveal your faithful love to us. Thank you. In Jesus' name, Amen.

What are you thankful for today?

Live clean, innocent lives

Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ's return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. Philippians 2:15b-16

When people hear that I've never been drunk or used drugs, often their mouths fall open and they stare at me, speechless. "I didn't know that was possible in today's world," they say. By God's grace, my teenager sees this kind of lifestyle and it influences him to live a clean life.

Paul encourages us to be shining lights for a world of crooked and perverse people. If those words were true a mere thirty years after Christ's ascension, how much more accurate are they today? Crooked and perverse people surround us.

The way you live sets you apart. The seeds you plant by living free of the entrapments of the world have power and faith that many people will witness. Your spouse. Your children. Other children. Co-workers. People you might never know. You get one life and one race for God. Don't run it in vain.

How do you live your life? Are you innocent as a child? Are you engaged in worldly pursuits?
Father, when we're faced with temptation to live as the world does, remind us to live clean and innocent. Please show us how our lives affect others and how they see you. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Throwing off the old

“Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God – truly righteous and holy.” Ephesians 4:22-24

Throw off the former way of life. I love the way that sounds, and I wish it was as easy to do as it sounds… But maybe it’s not as hard as we make it.

When I was twelve years old, I began experiencing symptoms of depression. Listlessness and poor self image were the easier-dealt-with problems. Suicidal tendencies were another thing entirely. Over the next several years, my parents took me to counselors, doctors, and church mentors. Some wanted to talk about my thoughts and feelings. Some wanted me to take pills. The one that helped most was a young mom from the church. She taught me about women in the Bible, about faith, about friendship, and about prayer.

Through the prayers of this woman, my mom, and others who loved me, God began drawing me nearer to Him. Though I rarely have suicidal thoughts now, each day begins a new battle for my mind. I work to throw off the old, sinful nature (i.e. lack of trust and faith, joylessness, etc.) and to renew my thoughts and attitudes.

I knew Jesus Christ before all this began, but through it I’ve grown to know Him better. His love, His sacrifice, and His power have become more real to me. As if taking holy medicine, if I miss a daily dose of prayer and time in the Bible, my thoughts reflect it. Would I rather not battle depression? Perhaps. But if losing the need to fight meant losing the need to seek Him, I’d rather do battle.

Spiritual seeds are usually planted in and through situations we don’t expect and would rather not experience. Whether you fight depression or some other potentially debilitating condition, renewing your mind and attitudes is a daily effort.

Are you ready for any situation to plant seeds? Are you spending time in the Bible and in prayer to keep your thoughts where they belong?

Father God, help us throw off our former ways and learn to renew our thoughts and attitudes. Draw us near and remind us to spend time in your word and in prayer with you. Amen.

The Miracle of Salvation

"And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth. the gospel of your salvation.  Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession - the praise of his glory."  Ephesians 1: 13 - 14

Do you remember when you first believed the good news of the work of Christ?  Excitement and joy filled our hearts as our spirits were awakened to a new life.  This event is a miracle that only be accomplished by God's power and Christ's work.  Though this event and the subsequent communion with God through the Holy Spirit makes us feel incredibly special, it is not for us alone.  We no longer work for our own agenda but we are co-workers with God to help others believe.  It is by receiving truth that dispels lies that God can awaken someones mind and begin to affect their heart.  This is the miracle. 

We have been focusing on sharing the good news of Christ this month; planting seeds that will bear fruit to the harvest.  This week let's focus on the seeds and harvest in our own lives.  Let's take a few moments today to thank God for the work of his salvation in our own lives. 

Father, thank you for the miracle of salvation in my life.  Thank you for continuing to meet me and grow me up in that blessed salvation. 

Blessings.

No other name

"There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12

How many gods and paths to salvation can you name in our culture today? Buddha and Mohammed are the most visible, but people worship all manner of creation with the hope that it will bring them to enlightenment and salvation. Money, sex, wisdom, food, nature, and other people can become gods in our lives if we allow them. And the believers of the first century church were exposed to belief in all the gods of mythology, including Zeus, Aphrodite, Isis, and others.

Are any of these names capable of saving us?

"We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard." Acts 4:20

In an age of deceit and blatant idol worship, Peter and John knew the truth. They took every opportunity to tell about Jesus Christ and many people were saved, set free from bondage to false gods and empty hope. What a harvest they gathered from those seeds planted! We have the same opportunities to tell about everything we have seen and heard. They might be things the world overlooks or bypasses without understanding, but wisdom, faith, special knowledge, healing, and miracles are gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:8-10).

Dear God, please open my eyes to see and hear things of you. Give me boldness to share everything with someone who needs you. Amen.

What have you seen and heard of Jesus, and who can you plant a few seeds in today?

Seeing the one who controls the wind and the waves

And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.... And [the disciples] awoke [Jesus] and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?" Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" Mark 4:37, 38-39

Storms are going to rise up in our lives. Whether we believe in Jesus as Savior or not, as humans in an imperfect world we face trials and difficult times. The key is in how we respond to the trials. Too often, we focus on the storm, as the disciples did. Huge waves roll in, threatening to topple us. Cold, wet wind bites through our clothes and skin, soaking and freezing us. Darkness falls, oppressing us and the light of hope.

This is a vital time to plant seeds of faith for those who don't know God, who don't know His faithfulness, who don't know His unchangeable love. Instead of seeing the storms that blow around us, we can choose to watch the One who controls the wind and sea.

And if we listen closely enough, we can hear His voice speaking calm to the storm and to our hearts.

Dear Jesus, please speak calm to the wind and the sea that rage in my life. Show Your power, and help me point people to You. Amen.

What storms are you facing? Can you plant a seed of faith for someone who watches as you face the wind and water and yet see only Jesus?

The Gospel of Christ

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes....for in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith.  Romans 1: 16 - 17

The gospel of Christ, translated the good news of Christ, is the power of God to save individuals who will respond in faith.  Many seeds are scattered which direct seekers to self-help, meditational thoughts from Buddha and direction from icons of the culture declaring you must ONLY believe and good things will happen.  However, scripture very clearly says it is the gospel of Christ that God uses to save.  Clearly, if we can scatter seeds directly related to the good news of the work of Christ, then it becomes possible for those seeds to grow into faith, trust, and hope. 

Let's pray for the individuals we know who desperately need Christ to have open hearts and minds toward Him. 

Father, we ask that you soften hearts toward Christ and reveal the lies being believed that offer only momentary relief. 

Think about how you first believed in Christ.  What seed from that experience can you offer to someone else? 

Blessings

Four ways to sow for the harvest

In an earlier post, we said one way to reach people for spiritual harvest is to pray for them. That is the first thing and the most consistent action we should be taking to show others the way to eternal life and freedom in Jesus. But let's look at other ways. How did Jesus reach people when He walked the earth?

Talking to the Samaritan woman at the well:
Jesus replied, "If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water." John 4:10

Jesus knew people at the heart level. He spoke to this woman's deepest need. I believe what he says is not arrogance, but prophecy. He knew she would ask Him for the living water. Showing her sincere desire to understand, the woman questioned Jesus about the contents of the well and how He could possibly get living water for her.

The next thing Jesus does is speak in practical terms:
Jesus replied, "Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again." John 4:13


We can meet people with things they understand and with facts they can relate to. We drink, we get thirsty, we drink again, and on the cycle goes. But Jesus says the person who drinks of His living water will have a "fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life." (John 4:14)

After revealing her life situation, Jesus gets to the heart of the matter. He reveals Himself to her, saying, "I AM the Messiah!" We must not rush people into a heartfelt decision for Jesus, but we must not delay. How can we know when the time is right? We listen to them, and we listen to the Spirit reveal His perfect timing.

What was the result of Jesus' conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well? She didn't walk back to her people, calmly and quietly replaying her interaction with Him. She raced back to the village so fast that she left her water jug at the well. And she didn't keep her new-found knowledge to herself. She told everyone she'd come face to face with the Messiah.

Many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus because the woman had said, "He told me everything I ever did!" John 4:39


Then  they said to the woman, "Now we believe, not just because of what you told us, but because we have heard him ourselves. Now we know that he is indeed the Savior of the world." John 4:42

The Bible tells us that Jesus is love, and as He doesn't tolerate lies we know He spoke the truth. I believe His actions are prompted and characterized by love. The people He met recognized this, and the people you meet will recognize it, too. Speak the truth in love, waiting on the word of the Lord, and pray for the people you want to see added to the Kingdom. Then watch the Spirit move.

What would you do if you met Jesus face to face? Can you be a physical representation of His love and truth to anyone in your life?

Begging for Life

"There was a certain royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum.  When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death."  John 4: 46-47

The royal official is another "outsider" most likely from the Roman government who comes to Jesus seeking his intervention.  He is not part of religious Jewish society but comes seeking Jesus to heal his son anyway.  Somewhere he must have heard about Jesus' compassion acts of healing for the sick, so he came seeking the same for his son.  At some point, the seed was sown and when this man had the opportunity he sought Jesus for his sons healing.  Jesus only spoke the words and the son lived. 

"He himself believed and his household."  The harvest that day was a Roman household who before receiving back their son only knew Jesus from afar.  That day they knew him personally. 

Father, I ask that any who only know you from afar would take the step of asking you for personal knowledge of you in their lives. 

Blessings

 

Does seeing and hearing lead to believing?

"We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ." 1 John 1:3

I'm sitting in a popular coffee shop, listening to the elevator music and pieces of conversation that float around me. Over the din comes a man's voice, speaking slowly, carefully forming each word.

"How are you feeling, Mom?" He's on the phone several booths away, but I hear his voice as if he sits beside me. He waits while she speaks.

"I know you're tired. Let me pray for you before we go." He has to repeat it twice, and each time he expresses patience and kindness.

And to my astonishment, he prays. Loudly. Slowly. With the entire coffee shop listening. I'm embarrassed and saddened to admit that this astonishes me. How different would our world be if we all took opportunities as this man does, as the disciples did, to pray for others? To do so without shrinking or puffing ourselves up? And in praying, to actually see and hear and have fellowship with Jesus and His followers?

For those of you that don't know Jesus, let me say this: sometimes having a personal interaction with Him looks different than we expect. It's not ethereal or mysterious. It's not soul-shaking. It doesn't alter the planets. But hopefully it alters us, and in time it should shake our souls to the point of seeking Jesus and everything He stands for.

This man's simple action of love altered my day. Changed the course of my actions. I pray you see and hear Jesus in your life through simple actions of love, that your actions and your souls are shaken by knowing Him. And I pray that, seeing and hearing, you believe and accept Him.

"But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn - not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God." John 1:12-13

Whether or not you believe Jesus is the Savior of the world, have you had a personal experience that brought you closer to accepting Him? Please share your thoughts with us!

Lambs In The Midst Of Wolves

"I have given them my word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.  My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one."  John 17:14 - 15


Concern over someones spiritual well-being is not always appreciated.  Bigger than the resistance of some people to spiritual truth is the resistance of the evil one to the on-going work of God. When Jesus was praying for his disciples prior to his death, he acknowledged the on-going spiritual battle they would face as they sowed spiritual seed and worked along with Him in the harvest souls.  This battle guarantees disciples will be hated so Jesus also asked the Father to protect them.  


Today as we sow seeds in the lives of others, we can be encouraged that Jesus prayed for our protection and salvation.  He asked the Father to protect us and to bring us into glory with Him.  "Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given Me, be with Me where I am, so they may see My glory which You have given Me before the foundation of the world." 

It encourages me to know that Jesus prayed for all believers from all historical ages; knowing the battles and needs we face even today.  Jesus prayed for our spiritual needs that will protect and keep us to the end of our lives when we face the Father.  Who will we pray and work for today?  

Blessings

Witnesses to the ends of the earth

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen." Matthew 28:19-20

Jesus tells us to spread the word, to share His Good News and teach others all over the globe about Him. It's one of the best known commands in the New Testament: The Great Commission. If you've ever had the thrill of leading someone to salvation in Jesus Christ, you know it often doesn't come quickly or easily. In our sin, we resist even the security of unconditional love and acceptance. How, then, do we fulfill this desire to go and make disciples, to sow seeds that will reap a bountiful harvest?

We pray. We ask for souls, for guidance, for boldness. And we trust that the Lord gives it.

"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8

We don't have to go to the ends of the earth to find someone who needs Jesus. Often, it's someone we know. The lonely, troubled, endangered, weak, and unprotected all need Him. But so do those who outwardly appear strong, intimidating, and in control. Who can you pray for today?

Father God, we covet souls for Your divine grace and gift of salvation. Please reach them with Your love. Open their ears and eyes to see their need. Prepare their hearts to receive Your word, and may we experience the power of Your Holy Spirit as we witness to them. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Jesus Felt Compassion

Matthew 9:35 - 38    Jesus was going through all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of sickness.  Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd.  Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.  Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest".


This month we are focusing on sowing spiritual seeds and the following harvest.  Sowing spiritual seeds can take place in many forms and since this blog focuses on prayer, of course, we consider prayer one of the most loving gifts we have to offer someone.  Prayer  enters the spiritual realm and allows us to battle with God for that person. 

God is able to take  the spiritual seeds scattered by his people and water them with the Holy Spirit to bring someone to the place of wanting life in Him.  We really don't know how this happens, it is one of the mysteries of God.  We do know He gives everyone the opportunity to choose to know him; the offer is for all.   

Jesus had compassion and the multitudes followed him.  Pray that the Lord of the harvest will provide you the privilege of offering up prayers and words of hope to someone in distress. 


Father, we pray that you will help us see the one person who needs our prayers and support the most.  Help us offer seeds of hope that you can use to bring this person to a place of rest in you.  


Blessings

Jesus Has Followers in Iraq and Afghanistan

When you said, "Seek My Face", my heart said to you, "Your Face, O Lord, I will seek."

Have you ever considered the fact that God has sent thousands of Christians into Muslim countries that are opening hostile to Christianity?  Believers in Christ are openly working in Iraq and Afghanistan through the military to influence the people and government alike with a new way of honoring God and showing passion for their faith.  Most of the time our faithful military members must rely on their life of compassion and protection rather than words to convey that we in the U.S. feel their pain and understand their entrapment.  While most of us cannot physically be in Iraq and Afghanistan, we can participate in the spiritual battle for these countries by praying for our military members and the Muslim people. 

I believe there are many in these countries who are seeking the way of love to honor God, so we can ask God to give them courage and hope as they fight under the terrible curse of twisted religious ways. God loves the people of these dark countries and He wants to free them from the destructive and cursed ways of worshiping a perverted version of Himself. 

Father,

We know you long to free the people of Iraq and Afghanistan from the dark and destructive practicee of their religion.  We see the spiritual battle heating up to boiling over and know that the outcome for the common people may not be good.  Father, we ask that you protect our military members from attacks and ambushes.  Hide them in the shadow of your wings if danger approaches.  I pray that military believers are able to witness to their team members who do not know you and that many understand your calling and turn to a lasting faith in Christ.  Please allow our military to continue the task of proving the compassion the U.S. has for the people of these countries despite the horrendous crimes that have been committed by those who practice evil in the name of god.  Father, we ask in the name of Jesus, that you would not give up the spiritual battle for the people of these countries, even if it means our military has to be on foreign soil, because we know it is your will that all people can be free to choose to know you in truth. 

Help us to know how to pray further for this situation and share it with each other as we support our military and the people of Iraq and Afghanistan.  

In Your Sons Name.  

Blessings. 

Pray for the Military



When you said "Seek my face", my heart said to you, "Your face, O Lord, I will seek."

 
          With Memorial Day coming up, my mind has been on the highest offices of our military, the Joint Chiefs of Staff who advise the President on issues related to military actions and security of the U.S. around the world.  Let's lift these men up before the Lord asking God to give them a desire for wisdom that can only come from Him. 

Admiral Mike Mullen , Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Norton Schwartz –  Chief of Staff of the U. S. Air Force

Martin Dempsey – Chief of Staff of the Army

Gary Roughead – Chief of Naval Operations

Father,
We offer up prayers on behalf of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the U.S.  Please soften their hearts toward You so that they desire your wisdom and direction.  We pray that their focus will be on the security of our country and for the welfare of the troops under them.  We ask that you will work through them to advise the President and his Cabinet wisely on military matters.  Protect them and use them according to your will. 

Blessings.

Seek God's Face

When you said, "Seek My Face", my heart said to you, "Your Face, O Lord, I shall seek.."  Psalm 27: 8

 For the word of God is living and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  Hebrews 4:12



Beautiful Spring is arriving in the Rocky Mountains and it is time to begin our prayer blogging once more.  We have taken a short unannounced hiatus to evaluate the future of this ministry and God is ever faithful to meet us when we seek Him for his will. God is faithful to provide not only the insight but the fortitude to continue on the earthly journey before we come to our final rest with Him. 

The Lord has given clear direction in reference to Elohim Prayer Bead ministry and we will continue our blogs and the sales of our prayer beads for specific needs and points of prayer.  Thank you to all of you who have asked about the status of the ministry.  Your input has been greatly appreciated.  We are privileged to walk the path of Christ with you. 

Father ~ Thank you that your Spirit opens new insights through your Word.  Your Word is powerful and truthful, able to lead us to honesty with ourselves and to know your heart for us.  Thank you for calling us to a relationship with you.  Give us hearts that desire you more than the attractions of this world.  Give us strength and courage for the journey and hearts that love you and others with the compassion of Christ.  We bring our needs to you Lord. 

Praise be to God. 

     



God sings over you!

Happy Monday, pray-ers. As we kick off another work week, I'd like to remind you of one of God's sweetest promises. This comes at a dark and frightening time for much of the world with the people of Japan struggling to survive amid continuous aftershocks and tsunami threats. The instability affects the entire world economically, environmentally, and physically.

Your situation might not be as newsworthy as a tsunami or a 9.0 earthquake and it might not impact tens of thousands, but it might feel just as terrifying to you. Each life is valuable to God. Each person's trauma breaks His heart. As you read the following Scripture and the prayer that follows, take time to meditate on it. Allow His promise to soak into your heart and change your outlook.

"The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17

Dear Father in heaven, thank you for your promises. Please save us. Show us how you delight in us and rejoice over us. We need the quiet that comes only from you. Draw us close in these unsettling days. May we return your love and faithfulness. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Praying for you all,
Shelley

Carol's Prayer Challenge Results - Pray Daily



Prayer brings peace and quietness of heart

 
"The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."
      Philippians 4: 5-7

February was a month of anxiety for me.  My prayers were short and lacked the intimacy needed to really put my mind at peace.  By the end of the month I was quite sick, asthma is affected by stress and worry, and I was in full-swing with my lungs bearing the weight of my worry.  I didn't realize that worry was the cause for my lack of oxygen until Shelley and I joined in prayer and ask the Lord for insight into my breathing issues.  I must say at this point, I am convinced that Satan is alive and working hard to stress believers to their maximum capacity and keep them distracted from their personal time with God.  But we have a powerful weapon against worry and distraction, the Word. 

Romans 8:28 tells us that God uses all things in a believers life to work together for good.  We know and can be sure that what Satan intends to use for evil, God redeems by utilizing our struggles to cause growth and dependence upon Him.   2 Corinthians 4: 7-8 says, We are hard pressed on every side but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.  Our assurance from Philippians is that when we take our needs to God and sit in His presence, the peace which surpasses all understanding will faithfully fall from heaven so we can resume our lives with the knowledge that God loves us and has heard our prayers. 

This month, my list of prayer needs has grown tremendously as I add those in need of healing from spiritual and emotional bondage, drug and alcohol addictions, and physical needs.  God is faithful and no amount of worrying that I indulge in will affect any of those things; only by prayer will my burden be lifted and lives healed.  Do not bear your burdens alone, the Lord is near.  Reach out to the Heavenly Father for your peace and hope, reach out for a needy world, reach out for yourself. 

May the peace of God fill your hearts and minds in Chris Jesus. 
Blessings,
Carol

February challenge results - Pray daily

Happy Monday, dear readers. It's nearly the middle of March, and we're about to finish our segment on praying The Lord's Prayer. We were ambitious in scheduling such an important and rich piece of Scripture to one month. As we know, all Scripture is God breathed (2 Timothy 3:16), but the Lord's Prayer quite literally came from His mouth. It deserves more attention than I normally give it.

Our challenge this month was to pray daily. How did that go for you? Remember, we're still using prayer journals, and this is a very effective way to record each prayer and how God answers it. Adding a daily prayer seems like a small task compared to the prayer journal, doesn't it?

I found in my own effort to take on this challenge that praying daily does SEEM like a small task. What an arrogant creature I am. <half laughing> Prayer should never be a small thing. We should never approach the throne of the Almighty God as if we deserve access. We are allowed there because He loves us and desires a relationship with us.

As a mom with two toddlers, much of my praying seems to happen on the fly. Changing diapers, making cereal or sandwiches, grocery shopping, endless errands - it all gets lumped together and my prayers often go up while I do those things. The Bible says to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17), but it also talks about being reverent. Jesus Himself showed reverence. "During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission" (Hebrews 5:7). We're also told in 1 Peter 1:17 to live out our time on earth in reverent fear of the Father who judges each person's work impartially.

Do I show reverence in my prayer life?

It means a feeling or attitude of deep respect tinged with awe (definition courtesy of dictionary.com). I'm afraid I run before the throne of grace in a hurry, toss my petitions before Him, perhaps bow once if I remember, and rush out to accomplish the next task on my list. My own challenge has become to go before Him with a feeling and an attitude of deep respect tinged with awe. To show reverence, and to be thankful that He asked me to come in at all.

How did this month's challenge go for you? Let us know in the comment section or in an email to elohimprayer@gmail.com. We love to hear from you!

Praying for you today,
Shelley

Tempting or testing?

"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one." Matthew 6:13

The final section of the Lord's Prayer seems to imply that God would indeed tempt us. As we pray these words, our understanding of the word 'temptation' conflicts with our understanding of God's nature.

The Bible says God is our Creator (Genesis 1:27, 2:7). He is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, forgiving and just (Exodus 34:6, 7). Jesus called God "Abba, Father" (Mark 14:36). Nowhere does it say God is a tempter. That distinction is left for Satan.

While God will not tempt us, He will test us. "The Lord your God is testing you to find out whether or not you love Him with all your heart and with all your soul" (Deuteronomy 13:3). King David understood this. He prayed at the beginning of the building of the temple for the Lord, "I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity" (1 Chronicles 29:17).

So God will not lead us into temptation, but He will allow us to be tested. Indeed, He is often the One testing us.

These tests are meant to strengthen us, but Satan often tries to use them as a doorway to temptation. After Jesus' baptism, as He walked in the wilderness for forty days, "The tempter came to Him and said, 'If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread'" (Matthew 4:3). Our Lord was tempted by the evil one, and so will we be tempted. "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation" (Matthew 26:41). Satan's strategies include suspicion, envy, jealousy, resentment, judgment, and all things that are against God. His most subtle tool is to trick us into believing God is not all that He says He is - that He does not have all the power, and He does not want to give us every good thing.

The other important thing to note in this piece of the Lord's Prayer is that Jesus was specific about the evil one. He didn't pray, "Deliver us from evil." That overall thought is certainly captured in the words, but Jesus pointed to an actual being. There is one who embodies evil. He is a thief, coming only to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). Jesus teaches us to pray against this evil one, and to trust that God will deliver us from him and his tricks.

We'll be talking about our monthly challenge results in the next post or two. Stay tuned for that. Also come back for a day where we focus on praying the Lord's Prayer as a community of believers. There is unspeakable power when we gather for prayer. Let's come together and experience it!

Father God, thank you for your Word. Thank you for sending your Son into the world to be the light and our salvation. Please continue to speak to us through your word and through your Spirit. We pray that when the time of testing comes, we would not become tempted. Rescue us from the evil one and help us to trust you in all things. Amen.

Praying a blessing over you,
Shelley

The Provisions of God

"Give us this day our daily bread.  Forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors.  For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions."  Matthew 6: 11, 14 - 15

These verses of the Lord's prayer speak to us about total dependency upon God.  Whether it is for physical or spiritual nourishment we are totally dependent upon God for our sustenance each day.  Can we feed our physical bodies without the God-given provisions of earth, seed or rain?  Can we sustain a Spirit-filled life without our Lord first providing the way and revealing himself to us?? 

Our Lord's gracious presence is available daily; we have only to ask him for our needs to be filled.  The Israelites received manna from heaven while wandering in the desert; we too can ask for and receive the Lords daily provisions.  Trust and believe that your God will provide when you ask and trust his work on your behalf.  

Pondering this verse brings about questions of why there are those who have their needs met and those who go hungry or are homeless.  When considering all scriptural instructions given to believers we might interpret this verse to mean, "Give us this day our daily bread so that we can share with other who are in need."  (Matthew 25: 35-40)  Jesus instructed believers to care for the poor, widows and orphans by sharing the provisions He has given to us.  Believers are to show and lead the poor, oppressed, and unbelieving world to the Lords love and compassion so that they can know and depend on him themselves.  This is our privilege and our duty. 

As we move on to the Lords' words regarding forgiveness we bring along our dependency on God.  Jesus instructs us to ask for the forgiveness of our debts AS we also forgive those who are indebted to us.  Many scholars and translators interpret this verse to mean, 'forgive us our sin as we forgive those who sin against us'.  This verse is very humbling to Christians and keeps us from believing that because we know the Father we are entitled to believe that we are better than others.  We do not have the right to hold on to grievances we have with others because they don't "deserve" forgiveness or that we can keep someone coming back over and over to ask for forgiveness.  Jesus very clearly instructs us that as we are willing to practice forgiveness then we will be forgiven.  (Psalm 24: 1-6)

Jesus displayed true forgiveness to us when on the cross he prayed for his persecutors by asking the Father to forgive them.  (Luke 23: 34) Do we dare hold on to grievances with others when our Lord chose to forgive those who crucified him?  Our acceptance of Gods' work to reconcile us to him by Christs death on the cross is the provision that allows us to approach him.  We can approach God in the righteousness of Christ because He provided the way for us to come to him forgiven and free of our debt of sin.  (2 Corinthians 5: 18-21)

Our God is immense and full of light.  Let's ask the Lord to provide our daily needs and forgive us of our unholy ways.  Let's ask the Lord to help us see where we need to forgive and ask him to forgive us for holding on to grievances rather than act with compassion toward a world without hope.

Father - we seek you for our needs today.  Help us to embrace you with our whole heart.  We want to know and give forgiveness from you.  Help us to acknowledge our dependence on you and share with others the hope that only comes from our relationship with you. 

Blessings in your walk,
Carol

Bringing His Kingdom

"Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."

Darrell W. Johnson, in his book Fifty Seven Words that Change the World, says this section of the Lord's Prayer, "is one of, if not the most radical things a human being can do."

When Jesus taught His disciples to pray this, they were starving for revolution. Rome ruled and did so with deadly force. The spiritual climate of the day was lukewarm. People felt the very real need for political change, as well as religious freedom and revival. Sounds much like the world we live in now, doesn't it? On the surface, these words sound like a prayer for temporal, or earthly, relief. In some ways, that's true.

To pray God's will be done on earth as it is in heaven is to pray that His perfect will be done. We often don't realize all that encompasses. And we fail to recognize the upheaval that must take place to bring His will and His kingdom on earth - both in our personal lives and in world events. Think about the change you must make in your daily life to give in completely and live God's perfect will.

A little uncomfortable? Radical? Does it take a truckload of trust to obey God's perfect will? It does for me.

When we pray for His kingdom to come, we must recognize that it is partially here in the form of believers in Christ. The Holy Spirit ushers in His kingdom, and when we accept the Holy Spirit into our lives WE usher in the kingdom. Jesus' return is still to come, so we pray, "Your kingdom come." We're asking Jesus to come back! Even so, Lord Jesus, come.

We'll be finishing up the Lord's Prayer in the next few posts. Don't forget this month's challenge to pray daily, and don't forget to use your prayer journal! We'll talk about that in a few days, too.

Lord Jesus, we pray for your kingdom to be evident in us as we interact with the world. We ask that You would shine through us so everyone would know Your love and grace. Please help us live Your will, Father God. On earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus' holy Name we pray, Amen.

Blessings on you today,
Shelley

Hallowed Be Your Name

        
 "Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name"       Matthew 6:9



 What does it mean for the name of God to be  "hallowed"?  


To hallow means to consecrate or set apart as holy.  Have you ever noticed that there are many references in scripture that provide descriptive traits of God?  "Father" is a term most of us are familiar with, but let's consider a few more traits of God that give reason for his name to be hallowed. 


In Exodus 3, God describes himself to Moses as "I Am Who I Am" or in another translation "I Will Be Who I Will Be" which the translator interpreted to mean "My nature will become evident through my actions".   God reveals aspects of His Character to us through a myriad of lifetime situations and intimate relationship with believers. 


Further in Exodus, God describes himself to Moses using more concrete terms.  In Exodus 34, God describes himself as a 'compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, forgiving wickedness, rebellion, and sin'.   Who do you know that you could ascribe these characteristics continuously, every day, every week, every year?    


In Luke 1, Mary and Zechariah refer to God as Savior who has brought salvation to them, referring to the near future birth of "The Savior" Jesus Christ.  Romans 10 says that anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.  Saved from what?  Eternal separation from God. 


Our God is robed in a nature higher than that of the best human.  He is consistent in the face of evil, faithful to the end of time, cares about the weak, poor, and oppressed, always judges with objectivity according to his laws, always forgives, and always perseveres with humanity to salvation.  He deserves a place of consecration above all others who offer some form of salvation yet come and go on the screen of history.  God is creator, they the created.  God is generous, they receive from him.  God is savior, they granted salvation. 


His name is higher than any other!  


Father God - show us what it means to cradle your name in a holy place in our lives.  We lift your name up in the sea of those who desire to be equal to you by offering their plans of salvation.  Only you can truly provide salvation from the sin that binds us.  Show us your character through our times of prayer and through the situations that crop up each day.   Teach us to consecrate your name as holy. 


May you be blessed by lifting up the name of our God.
Carol



      

Prayer against discouragement

Happy Wednesday, faithful readers!

We're taking a very short bunny trail off the Lord's Prayer path today. It's come to our attention that many people are struggling against overwhelming discouragement. What an effective tool the enemy has developed against us! Discouragement, fear, strife. Fear is one of the most powerful motivators to stay where you are or to move from where you should be. Discouragement is another form of fear.

We're in battle. The field is your mind and the prize is your soul. Dramatic words perhaps, but no less real. How do we fight this battle? We pray. And pray and pray until we see a break in his assault. Satan quivers in fear when we go to our knees, or when we bow our heads, or anytime we reach out to the God of creation and begin talking with Him.

We want to reach out and lift you up, whatever your struggle. God says that whatever is not of faith is not from Him. Let's make a decision today to stop playing into the enemy's hand. We will live in faith. We will no longer bow to the voice that tells us we can not do it, or that it's pointless to go on, or that no one cares anyway. Tell that voice to be silent!

Father God, we pray protection over our hearts and minds. Silence the voice of the evil one and help us to realize that we have the almighty power of the Holy Spirit living in us. When we say, "Be still!" our adversary must be still in the name of Jesus. Help us realize that we have the victory of every blessing you bestow. You are kind, generous, compassionate, and full of love. Every good gift comes from You. We pray that Your blessings would rain down on us, drenching us with Your love and Your vision of us. Remind us to put on the full armor of God so we can continue this fight. We love You and thank You for hearing our prayer. Amen.

Don't give up the fight, dear ones. Don't let discouragement stop you from serving Him and doing what you know to be His calling. Write to us or leave a comment and tell us how you fight discouragement or fear.

Blessings on you today,
Shelley

Our Father in Heaven

"In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven..." Matthew 6:9

The beginning of the Lord's Prayer reveals several things. In these few words, we establish the focus of the prayer, who He is (and by extension who we are), and where He lives.

The Focus
The God of the universe, the God of creation, is the focus of this prayer. Righteous, holy, and true, He deserves to be the focus of all our prayers. Too often, my prayers focus on myself, my worries, my wants. Jesus instructs us to change our focus and put our eyes on Him.

The Father
Additionally, we get a chance to meditate on the nature and character of the Father God. He is timeless, unsearchable, compassionate, gracious, patient, abounding in love and faithfulness, forgiving, and just (Exodus 34:5-7). What a truly awesome gift that we can approach Him at all, indeed that He invites us to come to Him!

The Fruits
If He is our father, then we are His children. Ephesians 1:5 tells us that He predestined us to Him as sons (and daughters) by Jesus Christ to Himself. We belong to Him. He wants us to come to Him as children go to their loving parent. "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!" (Matthew 7:9).

The Foundation
Our Father is in heaven, but He sent the Holy Spirit to be with us at all times and in every place. Because of His triune nature, the Father God is one with the Holy Spirit and with Jesus Christ. So we pray to God the Father, knowing also that our prayer goes to Jesus and His Holy Spirit.

The power in these few words is immeasurable. As you go through this prayer, take time to consider who your prayer goes to, where He is, and how much He loves you, His child. Leave a comment with your thoughts on these first words of the Lord's Prayer and how praying it impacts your life.

Until next time,

Shelley

Meaningless Repetitions and Many Words

Hi all.  When Shelley and I decided to blog on The Lord's Prayer this month we were not prepared for the depth of instruction contained in this well-known simple reflection we repeat weekly, even daily in our religious practices.   Verses 7 and 8 of Matthew 6 give us direction on the content of our prayers.   

                

Matthew 6: 7 - 8
And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words.  So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. 

What was Christ referring to with the term "meaningless repetitions"?  And wouldn't many words in our prayers be a good thing??   And, if our Father knows what we need before we ask Him, why should we ask?  These are high questions we are pondering.  

In reviewing the scripture around the Lord’s Prayer, I concur with Shelley that the Lord is clearly instructing believers on the motives of their hearts and the practice of their righteousness in a community.  It is evident that there is to be a clear distinction between those who are living a life of faith with God and those who are practicing their religion to be seen by men.  Christ very clearly states that when the practice of our religion is to be seen by others then we have our reward in full.  In other words, when our prayers and deeds are for any other reason than to live a relationship of faith with God, then there is no blessing or reward that will come to us other than being seen by others. 

One prayer of Christ that really struck me was the prayer of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane.  This was an emotional and trying time for our Lord and he simply prayed the struggle of his heart.  Matthew 26 and Mark 14 record virtually the same words; “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will but as You will.” Christ offered very simple words to convey his longing  to the Father before heading to the cross to die for our sins. 

We do not need many repetitious words before our God to express the longings of our heart.  He knows our needs.  The expression of our needs in prayer acknowledges our reliance upon Him as we walk our life of faith.     “Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.”   Go to Him and offer the longing of your life, then live in the faith that you have been heard and that God will respond. 

Many blessings on your life,
Carol

Motivation and purpose in prayer

<Sigh.> Forgive my silence, dear readers. February's theme on praying the Lord's Prayer - and helping us all learn how to do that effectively - is proving an intimidating task. It's a little prayer with earth shattering consequences, as we'll see.

We open with the verses immediately before the Lord's Prayer, Matthew 6:5-6.
And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

I've spent much time considering and praying about this part of Scripture. It seems so self-explanatory that I hesitate to add my own meager thoughts. But one thing continues to plague me. This part of Scripture seems to hone in on motivation. The hypocrites' motivation is to be seen by men. These verses, in light of this month's theme, speak to me.

What is my purpose in prayer? What is my motivation?

Too often my purpose is to get my way. My motivation is worldly discomfort. The Bible says we should pray for the Father's will to be done (Mt. 6:10, 26:39). His way is higher than my own (Is. 55:9) and His will is perfect (2 Sam. 22:31, Rom. 12:2). And James, the brother of Jesus, tells us to count it all joy when we fall into various trials that test our faith (James 1:2). In the end, these trials and this testing perfects our faith, which is far longer-lasting than my worldly discomfort.

The Bible also tells us about the relational nature of God. Adam and Eve, Abraham, the prophets, all the way through Jesus Christ and His model of perfect love, we have examples of God being a friend and a constant companion to His people. How do you nurture your relationships with friends, family, spouses? Do you ignore them or make demands of them and expect that relationship to thrive?

The God of the universe is the God of relationship. That should be our motivation in prayer, friends. He desires a relationship with you, one that involves conversation and getting to know each other. As the Father, He also desires the best for you. That might mean giving you what you want, but it might mean withholding for a higher purpose. His will be done.

What is your purpose in prayer? What is your motivation? Leave a comment and share your thoughts with us.

Praying for you today,
Shelley

Teach Us To Pray - February Challenge

This month, Shelley and I will be blogging about the teaching of Jesus on prayer, specifically on the section of scripture known as the Lord's Prayer found in Matthew 6: 9-13.  We will be focusing on verses 5 - 15, which will include some of the surrounding instruction on prayer, as well as the prayer itself.  Luke 11: 2-4 provides a portion of the prayer and in this particular portion of scripture the teaching is prompted by the request from one of the disciples, Lord, teach us to pray.....     This is the cry of our heart this month.   

Also, as mentioned in January, each month will highlight another prayer challenge.  The challenge for February is to pray daily and place some note of the prayer in your prayer journal.  If you are looking for direction in your journaling, you might consider praying the Lord's Prayer in full or by sections and using the upcoming blogs as a catalyst for your prayer focus.  In your journal, jot down the insights the Lord gives you and maybe consider sharing them with us.  This will be my journal focus this month.  If you choose another prayer focus or section of scripture, please feel free to share that with us and your insights. 

Matthew 6: 9-13

"Pray, then, in this way:
'Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come, Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread. 
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.'
Amen"


Father - as we move into a new month of considering you and your ways, teach us to pray as Christ taught his disciples.  Help our hearts to know and depend on you more and more each day.  Thank you for caring about us and about the things and people close to our hearts.  We lift them up to you.

Blessings on your journey,
Carol

Prayer Journal Challenge - Carol's Results

Hello to my prayer friends.  This month has indeed been one to increase my faith that my prayers are heard regardless of the answer.  As a young Christian, I began using a prayer journal and was quickly overwhelmed by the task of keeping up with it.  How do you record so many prayers and still keep praying!?!  Well, I had to look that monster in the face before I could move ahead this month.  How could I record prayers and answers without diminishing my relationship with God to a "yes" or "no" answer?  The answer is relationship and faith.    

My primary goal is to be in relationship with God; to bring my praise, thanks, needs, and concerns before him and to be assured that he is in control.  One of my first prayers for this challenge was to ask the Lord to increase my faith in all things and to help me see life from his perspective rather than mine.  He has been faithful to answer that prayer.  I do believe the intent of Philippians 4: 6-8 is that our faith is increased as we trust God in all situations.  Even those we have created ourselves. 

My second request in this challenge was to see God moving and working through my prayers.  I had some very specific requests for God and he has answered very specifically.  Our topic this month of taking off the old "man" and putting on the new has challenged me to look at my attitudes and thoughts and ask if I represent the God I so long to know and serve.  I have many answers on that topic and am humbled that God loves me so much that he will quickly point out my own personal needs when I ask for insight.    

My third request of God was for my own faithfulness to my prayers when the answers don't come quickly.  We are at times battling against spiritual entities and forces in this world meant to keep people blinded and hurting so they cannot know the love and power of God (see Ephesians 6).  My prayer journal includes many people that I will bring before the Lord until progress is evidenced by changed lives through the work of God.  Some will battle for years but we trust that God is faithful.

Overall, this month has been astounding as I watch God work all around me.  My prayer times have been intimate and exciting as I focused on being with Him and trusting that he hears me.  Praying believers stand in the gap for others and prove the love of God every day by their faith.  Journaling insights and answers to prayer has become exciting and faith-building.  I hope your month was the same.  We can move forward this year knowing the faithfulness of God at work in all things.

Many blessings,
Carol