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?

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.

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?

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. 

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

Overhaul of the Mind

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:2

An amazing transformation of our hearts and minds takes place when we draw close to God in prayer.  Setting our minds on things above refers to heavenly priorities rather than earthly priorities.  Really a huge change in our thinking and daily practices but the promise of God is that those who choose to set their minds on His priorities will be changed.  By spiritual design the old nature begins to fall away and the new God-focused nature is put on.    We have a choice in this transformation.  The choice we face is whether to believe and live by the promises of God or not.      

Ephesians chapter 1 says we are blessed in Christ “with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm” and that the eyes of our heart can be “flooded with light” so that we KNOW and UNDERSTAND the “immeasurable power of God” in and for those who believe.  It is this power which raised Christ from the dead that works in us!!  We are made alive and given a new nature by the power of God; we can hope and rely on God completing this work when we focus our minds on His priorities and ways.    

The Bible is an amazing book and by reading it doorways to the mind and heart are opened.  A new way of seeing, believing and living is presented to us that can increase our hope in God and his plan.  Scripture points out human behavior before and after meeting Christ.   It helps us understand the difference between the old way of life and the new.   In Philippians 4 of the New Testament, there is a section that addresses how to engage in the “battle” of the old nature through our thoughts.  It says, "...whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence or worthy of praise, dwell on these things."

Changing the focus of our minds hinges on where we allow our minds to dwell and what thoughts we allow to take root in the mind.  Philippians chapter 4 stresses to us that the most beneficial resting place for the mind is in faith and prayer.  "Do not fret or have anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, continue to make your requests known to God."  Let's look for any piece of thanks we can give to God and add that to our prayers.  Developing a thankful attitude can really change the way we see the everyday circumstances that we face. 

One of the most exciting versions of the Bible is the Amplified version.  If you have the opportunity this weekend, go to the link below and read Ephesians 1 and Philippians 4 in the Amplified Bible version.  It will knock your socks off!! 

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/

Father, we thank you for the spiritual blessings of knowing you and being in Christ.  There is no other who can save and redeem us so we rely on you and your promises to us.  Transform us as we draw closer to you.  Put in us a desire to be the spiritual-minded people you want us to be.  We love you. 

Blessings,

Carol

 

Love of God

Human beings are fickle when it comes to love.  We rely on emotions that ebb and tide with situations or mood and then respond to those emotions.  (I know this is a very simplistic statement but I am not a psychologist nor do I want to spend a great deal of time expounding on this topic.)  The love of God toward us is the total opposite; it is not dependent on who we are, what family we're from, have we been "good" today, all of which boils down to do we deserve His love.  Scripture says, God is love and the goodness of God toward us comes from that love.  Wow!!  What a statement!!   (See Psalm 69:16 and Psalm 109:21)  Can we accept and believe in God's love without question, even in tough times??  What does God's love look like and what does it mean to return God's love?  Lofty conversation for a little blog!!! 

God's love and what God expects as our response to love is described very succinctly in the New Testament book of 1 John.  Chapter 4 verses 7 - 12 says, "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.  Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.  This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.  This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.  Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.  No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us."   This one passage tells us that God is love and His love is demonstrated for all through the atoning sacrifice of Christ for sin so that we might live. Our love is demonstrated back to God by our love towards each other.  In fact, this passage says that IF we love one another then God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.  Another WOW statement!  We show each other the love of God by our love toward one another. 

1 John 4 continues in verses 13 - 17, "This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit.  And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.  If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God.  And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.  God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them."   God IS love (again) and whoever accepts the sonship and sacrifice of Jesus can know and RELY on the love of God.  Not only that but God will live in us and we in him by his Spirit.  God's character is constant, it does not change which means that his love toward us does not change.  As I said earlier this is the opposite of human love and can only be accomplished through the Spirit which lives in us when we believe in the work of Jesus. 

We all struggle with very individual situations.  It is easiest to question God's love in the struggles but scripture indicates that it is by holding on to our faith during struggles and allowing God's work to take place that we gain a character that will be rewarded with the crown of life promised to those who love him.  See James 1. Hold on to the love of God toward you and continue in faith and love.  Don't doubt but pour out your heart to a God who loves you and gives of his goodness in many ways both seen and unseen.  

Blessings to you,
Carol

Please read the whole book of 1 John which compares and contrasts the love of God with love of the world, light versus darkness, and love versus hatred. 

Devotion Challenge

Spiritual Challenge for January:  Prayer Journal


Happy New Year to all of you!!!  This year Shelley and I felt compelled to provide a topic of spiritual challenge each month in addition to our prayer blogs.  Since our focus for January is a New Year, New Love, New You we decided that we want to push the boundaries of our own comfort zones and find areas to grow.  Then of course we had the hair brain idea of asking you to join us because more is better when attempting change and for support in change. 

For the month of January, the spiritual challenge is to begin a prayer journal.  All through scripture you will find exhortations to “remember” the goodness, works, ways, thoughts and the attributes of God.  Psalm 77: 11-12 says “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.  I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.”   One way of remembering God’s work and direction in your own life is to write out prayers for reference in the future.  Your prayers can be written out in snippets, in part, or in whole and then as God answers your prayers these too can be added to your journal.  

The prayers can be responses to the Lord from your reading, your own daily devotional prayers, praise and thanksgiving for the blessings you have been given, or maybe your prayers for others.  The goal of a prayer journal is threefold; 1) to encourage your prayer life, 2) to look back at your prayers and remember God, and 3) to look back and see how God has answered your prayers.  As you sit with God for any length of time you will begin to gain understanding in situations that might have alluded you before.  God will communicate to you through your thoughts, interactions with others, or in a myriad of ways.   These outcomes too can be added to your prayer journal for future reference and to remember how God has spoken to or directed you. 

If you have been a Christian for a long time you might have heard this practice referred to as a spiritual discipline.  A spiritual discipline has the purpose of creating habits designed to bring you closer to God which is also one purpose of our challenge for January.  Keep in mind that the main goal of this challenge is not to become “formal” pray-ers or even to document your prayers but rather to develop a deeper relationship with Jesus where we know and love him more. 

So grab a notebook, anything you can carry around with you easily, and jot down your prayers, praises, and conversations with God.  What is on your heart that needs to be put into a prayer??  God already knows so put it into words and allow the Lord to increase your faith or challenge you as you wait on God to move.  At the end of the month Shelley and I will give you feedback on how our month has gone with this discipline.  Please contact us through our e-mail at Elohimprayer@gmail.com and give us your feedback on this challenge. 

Philippians 4:4-7 says “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus.”

And finally as we go deeper into our relationship with the Lord our whole mental attitude can shift and so that we desire a more holy and faith-filled life and a better way of being.  “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8

Strength in the Lord

"Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong." 1 Corinthians 16:13

What is happening in your life today, dear reader? Is your faith being tested? I exhort you to stand fast in the faith. Be brave. Be strong. Watch for the crafty ways the evil one attacks God's people. Resist him and draw near to God.

Praying blessings on you today,
Shelley

Dearest Lord Jesus, help us. We are weak. Increase our faith as your word says you will do. Give us discernment and eyes to see the attacks of the enemy. Help us lift shields of faith to put out his fiery arrows. Thank you for your promises and your protection. Amen.

Light in the Darkness

I was driving to work early this morning and was struck by an image from nature.  It was still dark but the moon was shining bright over the Rocky Mountains.  Glory be what a beautiful sight!!  As I drove towards that image, a small, wispy cloud moved  horizontally in front of the moon.  The moon was shining through the cloud from above, below, and ever so gently through its wispy tendrils.  I could barely take my eyes off it.  While continuing my trek to work and gazing at the moon, the words "light in the darkness" came to mind and made me think of the scriptural truths of the light that Christians bring to the darkness in another. 
I often find myself feeling quite guilty at my human failings and of the fact that others see them.  I can be moody and anxious, and my faith falters at times when I look at obstacles that seem bigger than I.  But this morning as I looked at the light pouring through the cloud, I felt the Lord tell me that it is natural for the light to be filtered through the cloak of humanity.  Glimmers of light are used by God to bring another soul to Him.  Glimmers of light through a struggle can offer hope to another.  Glimmers of light bring joy and peace to someone who is hurting. 
Jesus is the true Light of mankind and we are but a reflection of His light.  We gain His light in our own lives as we pray and read scripture and then practice its truth.  The light of Jesus shines through my character and my life as I live to show others how much He loves them.  The light of Jesus shines through your character and your life as you show others His love for them.   It is the nature of God to move while using a human vessel.   Scripture indicates that when perfection comes in the form of Jesus that the shadows are removed.  I have to believe this is true with light in the darkness as well.  The power of God far outweighs my weakness.  Praise God!! 

1 Corinthians 13: 12  Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

2 Corinthians 4:6  For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

Lord Jesus,
Be our light and guide on this journey.  I pray that you will draw us to yourself and that your light is evidenced in our lives even if through glimmers.  Let us more and more see you as you are; our Lord and Saviour, the light of the world. 

Blessings. 


Scripture references:  John 1:9; John 8:12, Romans 13:12, 2 Corinthians 4:6, Ephesians 5:8, 1 John 2:9

Monday Prayer - My Light and My Salvation

“The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear.  The Lord is the strength of my life - of whom shall I be afraid.”  Psalm 27:1

I have prayed this verse many times since I first memorized Psalm 27 in my bible study group a number of years ago.  The Lord – MY light – yes, without him there is only darkness and fear inside of me.  The Lord – MY salvation – I have chosen Jesus the author and perfector of my faith!   YES, He is my hope and my life and I am especially confident of this fact when I live in these truths which dispel my fear and doubt. 

Whom shall I fear when the God of the Universe and His expression of love to the world in Jesus chooses to act in kindness towards me?  Human beings harbor many fears and I don’t know about you but when I dwell on my fears rather than on the proven truth in the Bible, my thoughts can easily turn my feelings to those of hopelessness. (Proven?  Yes, proven!!)    

The Lord is the strength of my life – when I am weak, then I am strong because HE is my strength for whatever lies ahead.  God works for the good of his people even during times that are difficult to bear.  I am still confident of this; I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.  Be strong and take heart, wait for the Lord

“Hear my voice when I call, O Lord, be merciful to me and answer me.   My heart says of you seek His face, your face Lord will I seek.”  Psalm 27:7-8

Father,
Please give hope to those of us who are struggling with fear and doubt in this earthly life. Help us to grasp your divine love and understand that your intentions toward us are for good.  Father, may we earnestly seek you in prayer to express our devotion and needs offering them as a fragrant sacrifice to You.  May we seek You in your Word asking for confidence in your character and for the increase of our faith unto strength. 
The world offers many options for relief from our pain and fear but we have proven time and again that they provide only a momentary hush from the voices within. Father you are proven to offer a peace that quiets all voices and all lies bringing us a hope that the world cannot experience outside of you.  May we seek you for a path and a peace we so desperately desire.
Father, I pray for those who either don’t know you or are afraid to seek you, that you gently draw them to yourself and show them your love and your mercy.  May their hearts soften towards you so that your work may begin. 
In your precious Son’s name,
Amen

The Vine and the Branches

One way the Bible describes Jesus is as the vine that feeds and sustains His followers with a life that is inaccessible except in relationship with Him. “I am the vine, you are the branches” gives a beautiful pictorial of Jesus as nourisher for all those who seek their spiritual life in Him. Jesus points us to a relationship with Him that is intimate and dependent, filled with passion and life.

Prayer is a dialog with Jesus that nourishes our soul and empowers us to live with Him. Anyone who earnestly wants to know Jesus can develop a relationship with Him. Anyone who honestly asks Jesus to be with them in life will not be disappointed because He will honor your request. He will meet you when you pray and will answer you as you seek Him with a heart that desires a new way and a new life.

Meeting with Jesus in prayer regularly will bring about changes in you that are new and exciting, like wanting to spend time in prayer talking with Him. You will want to go to Jesus with decisions to be made. His guidance is wise and accurate. You will want to give up habits that are not in keeping with His nature. He will give you the strength and courage to meet these challenges. Jesus can guide you through all the circumstances of life with insights that are not your own. This is called living a spirit-filled life of faith and is one of the great wonders of life in Him.

Please feel free to let us know if you have questions about how to ask Jesus to become part of your life.

Blessings,
Carol

Companions in Prayer

Many years ago, God called me to a ministry of intercession, which is prayer for others by the leading of the Holy Spirit. God has used my prayer times with Him to let me know how much He desires time alone with all people so they can get to know Him and His desires for living in Him.

It is good to pray for others but the better way is to lead them back to the Father so they can learn dependence on Him for all their human needs.

This blog is a place where we can share together about prayer and be in prayer. God is greater than all our needs and my hope is that as we talk and pray together, we will all grow in faith and knowledge of Him.

Another aspect of this blog that we will delve into is the Bible, the Word of God. Knowing the Bible and praying God’s words back to Him infuses prayer with power. The Bible is filled with divine intent and direction from God, which if used to form prayers will allow your mind and your will to agree with God. This is how change can take place.

Where you are in your life doesn’t matter here. We welcome your input, your prayer needs, your questions, and your friendship. We welcome you here as we investigate God and His ways together. Our focus will be on prayer most of the time, but our topics will cover life. My desire is to testify to the faithfulness of God even when we don’t see the immediate evidence of life being easy.

We will investigate questions such as:

• How do we know that God is with us?
• How can we pray through the needs of our lives so we trust God for each and every moment of the day?
• How do we deal with tragedy?
• How do we voice our thanks and praise?
• How can we have confidence that God is real and cares about us?
• Who is Jesus?

I think you have a good perspective on our goal for this blog.

I hope you will join us often and that you will weigh in on the conversation. It is my privilege to travel this path with you.

Blessings,

Carol