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.

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

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