A Reminder About Our Sorrows

Psalm 56:8 "You keep track of all my sorrows.  You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book."

1 Peter 1:6-7 " So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world."

     December is a harder month for some people.  It can be a time of joy, but for others a time of remembering past hurts. We live in a world of hurts; people will tun their back on others, people will cause tears to fall, and people will stop talking with others.  All of these afflictions are not only known by God but noted in His book of record. [Psalm 56:8]  What a consolation to us, as believers.  The following are reminders from Matthew Henry's Commentary about how God is in control over our sorrows and how we are to reach out in prayer.

     " God takes cognizance of all the afflictions of his people; and he does not cast out from his care and love those whom men have cast out from their acquaintance and converse."  [M. Henry]

      "God has a bottle and a book for his people’s tears, both those for their sins and those for their afflictions. "  [M. Henry]

      "God will not forget the sorrows of his people. The tears of God’s persecuted people are bottled up and sealed among God’s treasures; and, when these books come to be opened, they will be found vials of wrath, which will be poured out upon their persecutors, whom God will surely reckon with for all the tears they have forced from his people’s eyes; and they will be breasts of consolation to God’s mourners, whose sackcloth will be turned into garments of praise. God will comfort his people according to the time wherein he has afflicted them, and give to those to reap in joy who sowed in tears. What was sown a tear will come up a pearl."  [M. Henry]

      "The saints have God for them; they may know it; and to him they must cry when they are surrounded with enemies; and, if they do this in faith, they shall find a divine power exerted and engaged for them; their enemies shall be made to turn back, their spiritual enemies, against whom we fight best upon our knees."  [M. Henry]

     We must remember thru 1 Peter 1:6-7, that our trials are temporary and working for our good.  The struggle is real, but it's making us better and more Christ-like.  Be happy that you were chosen for this suffering because your reward in heaven will be worth it all.

      As for myself, I've stocked up my fair share of bottles of tears.  But, no one can steal my joy because it is secure in Jesus and His promises.  Yes, I've had trials of abandonment and hard suffering, but I know my struggles are temporary.  Jesus has never and will never disappoint me.  He doesn't take my trials away, but helps me through them.  What is unseen is getting clearer to me everyday, as my time draws nearer.

    "Only God has the final say over your life. Your future is secure. Your Father is faithful. His promises are true. The unseen world is a far more reliable anchor than the seen one. Your trustworthy God holds you and all you love. You can choose to be immensely and deeply grateful for that, always. And gratitude is the breeding ground of joy. "  [bible.com]

Ask Yourself

 

Genesis 18:14  "Is anything too hard for the Lord?"

     Have you ever asked yourself the question from Genesis 18:14,  "Is anything too hard for the Lord?"  We all have doubts, like Abraham and Sarah.  God promised them a son, though both were past child-bearing age.  Wouldn't we all question the possibility of that?  We must remember Mark 19:26 " “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

      "That is what we need to ask. Is anything too hard for God? Does he ever give up because the problem is too great? Does he ever throw up his hands and quit? Does he ever shake his head at the sound of a prayer request and say, “I can’t handle that problem”?"  [M. Lucado]

      We must believe and trust that 'nothing is too hard for our God'.  He is bigger than any storm we face.  Even when we feel that He is miles away, He is right beside us.  We are the ones who have moved, yet He still pursues us with His great love.

      "Our tendency is to magnify our fears. We place a magnifying glass on the diagnosis, the disease, or debt. Stop that! Meditate less on the mess and more on the Master. Less on the problems and more on his power."  [M. Lucado]

       As for myself, God has amazed me with making my impossible thoughts into God-made realities.  He has turned my doubts into proven faithfulness.  He has got me thru every trial and mountain of fear.  I trust Him more and more every day.  More Jesus, less me...that's the way it should be.

A Grateful Heart

 

       It's the time of year to recognize our thankfulness more.  A grateful heart is a healthy heart.  Many people only seek to be thankful of and not to be thankful for.  Max Lucado speaks of "The 'If Only River' as being on it's shore and being one step away from the good life."  What is your 'if only' that keeps you from a life of gratitude and a good life?  If only, you had a better job?  the kids moved away? the kids lived closer? you were married?  you were richer?  you were ____?    Instead, look at what you are already blessed with.  

       Colossians 3:15-17  " Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.  Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.  And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

       As for myself, I am thankful for where I have been, where I am now, and where I am headed.  I am grateful that God created in me a heart that hasn't turned bitter despite all the hardships I have been through.  Lord, help me to continue to recognize that this world is not my home.

Speak Life

 

Proverbs 16:24

Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Proverbs 12:18

The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Psalm 19:14

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

      Our words matter, more than we realize.  What we say to others and to ourselves can make a difference.  Words can uplift or tear down, so we must use them wisely.  Words can entangle our thoughts, where we replay them over and over.  It is better to turn to God's word and defeat Satan's ploy to try to beat us down and destroy us.  May we always be mindful of the words being circulated throughout our own worlds, by our mouths or our minds.  Seek to inspire!!

      "Many things are pleasant that are not profitable, but these pleasant words are health to the bones, to the inward man, as well as sweet to the soul. They make the bones, which sin has broken and put out of joint, to rejoice. The bones are the strength of the body; and the good word of God is a means of spiritual strength, curing the diseases that weaken us."  [M.Henry]

       As for myself, I've recently been dealing with uncertainty about my health.  The lack of encouraging words from others made my own thoughts even darker.  The words I told myself went in a downward spiral.  What I did cling to were God's promises..He will never forsake me and that He is working out all things for my good because I believe in Him.  My words to myself were based on fear and impatience, not truth.  Finally, this week I got the good news of my test results.  I was reminded again of Matthew 6:27  "Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?"  The unknown is a pit that we fall in that really tests our trust in the Lord.  God's word is what speaks life into my soul to uplift it, like no other words can. So, when you're feeling ucertain turn to His word that never fails.

Scales, Money, and Honesty

 Proverbs 11:1

The Lord detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with him.  [NIV}

A false balance and dishonest business practices are extremely offensive to the Lord, But an accurate scale is His delight.  [AMP]

A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight.  [ESV]

God hates cheating in the marketplace; he loves it when business is aboveboard.  [MSG}

Proverbs 20:23

The LORD detests differing weights, and dishonest scales do not please him. [NIV}

        With all the translations above, we can see how God requires us to be honest in our financial dealings with one another.  It is an offense to God's justice to practice wrongdoing.  "However men may make light of giving short weight or measure, and however common such crimes may be, they are an abomination to the Lord." [M. Henry]

       "Nothing is more offensive to God than deceit in commerce.  Nothing is more pleasing to God than fair and honest dealing, nor more necessary to make us and our devotions acceptable to him." [M.Henry]

         "Christians shouldn’t hoard but give as much as God directs. It is God’s money. His rewards outweigh the cost. “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work”  [gotquestions.org]

          When I was 13-14 years old, I had a vegetable stand by the side of the road in front of our house.  I setup a table with scales, brown paper bags, a calculator, and a sign with prices per pound for each vegetable.  I would call out to my dad, "I need more washed tomatoes" or okra, squash, etc.  I sometimes had a friend join me and help with my little stand.  It was a fun, but honest way to earn some extra cash.  If a customer ever questioned the price, I would always double-check my math.  I wanted my little veggie stand to be God honoring and pleasing in His sight.

         I think most of us have accidentally passed thru security with an item that we meant to pay for.  Did you go back and return it or pay for it?  Or did you think the big store wouldn't care?  God cares!  Recently, I went to Ross and as we were loading the van, I noticed my unpaid for leggings were on my dog, Jack's stroller.  As soon as Jaile got me in the van, she went in to pay for them with my purse.

         "Integrity in money matters is a rare thing. But God wants His people marked by financial integrity. What someone does when no one is looking indicates their true character. Integrity in money matters has to do with being honest and upright when no one is looking. It means acting according to biblical principles, even if you think you’ll never get caught, because you know that God is watching and you want to please Him."  [bible.org]

       "Lose My Soul" by TobyMac

The Animals In Our Lives

 Proverbs 12:10

The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.

         I thank God everyday for the animals He has put in my life.  Each one of them have been a special blessing in their own way.  They all have their own personality and express themselves differently.  There were only a few short years that I didn't have an animal in my care.  M. Henry says, "The animals that are under our care must be provided for, must have convenient food and rest, must in no case be abused."  Yes, every animal should be taken care of, just like we would want to be.  God's command to "Love one another" includes the animals that are in our lives.  "A godly person is always kind, and that kindness extends to the animals under his care. The righteous person cares about all life, including animal life." [gotquestions.org]

        "God cares greatly for the animals He has created. Those who seek to follow His ways will also care about His creation, including animal life. Animal cruelty, the neglect of pets, and the wanton destruction of a species are sin. Christians are called to care for animals, expressing the same attitude toward animal life as our Creator has."  [gotquestions.org]

        When I was in my teens, I couldn't do most of the jobs that my friends had.  I wanted a job tho, that was within my capabilities.  So, one Christmas I got a female golden retriever, that I named Wendy.  Wendy turned out to be a wonderful mother, so much so that she took care of another one of our dog's pups.  My dad took care of a lot of the physical labor in raising my pups, like filling the feeders and water bowls and taking them to the vet for shots.  I gave Wendy and her pups all the love they needed.  It's hard to let go of the pups when they are old enough, but they filled new homes with fun, excitement and love.  God's creatures are an example of His creativity, blessings, and bundles of love.

Lying Hurts

 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor”   Exodus 20:16

         As I continue my youthful blogs, I want to talk about lying.  The Bible is clear that lying is a sin and is displeasing to God.  The first sin in this world involved a lie told to Eve.   "In the early church, Ananias and Sapphira lied regarding a donation in order to make themselves look more generous than they really were. Peter’s rebuke is stern: “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit?”. God’s judgment was sterner: the couple died as a result of their sin of lying.   Jesus called Himself the way, the truth, and the life, and He expects those who follow Him to be people of truth. The truth is to be expressed in love, offering hope to those seeking redemption from the lies of the world. [gotquestions.org]

         "Satan continues his efforts to make sin less offensive, heaven less appealing, hell less horrific and the Gospel less urgent." - John MacArthur

            Yes, we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  I freely admit that I am a sinner and that includes my days of lying, as a teenager.  God knows all of our sinful ways and sometimes our parents find out about them too.  

             In 7th and 8th grade, I played the flute in band.  It wasn't my love or my talent.  I was supposed to practice a few times a week and record it in a chart.  One time, my parents had went out to dinner and when they came home, they asked "Did you practice your flute?'  I answered without any doubt, "Yes!"   My dad went back out to the car and brought my flute back into the house.  BUSTED!!  The lie I told was undeniable.  My parents told me how disappointed they were of me.  I felt ashamed and went to them asking for forgiveness.

             We should all repent of our sinful ways and ask for forgiveness from God.  Ephesians 1:7-8  "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us."  God has His arms open wide ready to welcome you into His kingdom with His free gift of salvation.

Appearance and The Truth of It

 1 Samuel 16:7

" The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

           The world is so quick to judge a book by it's cover or people by what they see.  "In ways we cannot understand, we reflect His own beauty. God places some value on appearances; if He did not, we would all look the same. It is not a wrong thing for us to notice and appreciate physical appearance as well."

            "Our outward appearance should not be our focus. If the reason we try to be the perfect weight, wear the best clothes, have facial treatments, etc., is to impress other people, then our physical appearance has become a matter of pride. We should be humbly aware of our appearance rather than acting to conform to the world’s standards. We must watch out for anything that draws us away from God, including the too-often extreme emphasis the world places on appearances.  God has shown us His own amazing power and beauty and love in an incredibly diverse creation. We should be humble, not committing idolatry in worshiping the creation rather than the Creator."  [gotquestions.org]

            As a teenager, I was a girly girl.  My focus was on both an inner and outer beauty of myself.  I didn't want to be in the popular crowd of girls who were pretty in the mirror, but were obviously ugly in their speech and attitude.  I am grateful that God looks at my heart because while it's not perfect, it is a caring and thoughtful one.  I know love because Jesus loved me first and I've seen it through Him.

            Oh, I spent plenty of time in front of the mirror growing up.  Blue eye shadow was my signature shade.  Straight hair with feathered bangs transformed into permed hair with perfectly teased bangs.  My obsession with the latest in-style jeans, usually Guess brand for me, was my mom's battle back then.  

            Matthew 23:12 ""For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."   When I got married, my beauty needs got humbled along with my bank account.  I was suddenly grateful for all the stuff I got at Walmart and The Dollar Store.  

            As I've gotten older, humility has come more from knowing who I am and whose I am than anything else.  My small size has been judged by people, as a person who needs a child's menu or no menu at all.  My wheelchair bound self has been judged as one who's never walked or been educated or had a life.  People think they are better than me just because of their current abilities, that I have lost.  Not knowing isn't better, but just ignorance.

          A mirage is an example of seeing and believing in something that's not true.  Don't make your vision of others like a mirage, find out the truth about them in whatever shape or form you see them in. 💚

Sleep

 

Psalm 4:8  "In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety."

        Sleep is essential for us to restore our worn down muscles from the day and to recharge our brain.  Sleep plays an important role in both your physical and mental health.  When we feel secure and at peace, our sleep comes more easily and is more restful.  As Psalm 4;8 states, it is God alone who is all sufficient to protect us when all of our own defenses are at rest.  "Though I am alone, yet I am not alone, for God is with me; though I have no guards to attend me, the Lord alone is sufficient to protect me; he can do it himself when all other defenses fail." [M. Henry]  

         "So a good man, having by faith and prayer cast his care upon God, sleeps and rests night and day, and is very easy, leaving it to his God to perform all things for him and prepared to welcome his holy will." [M. Henry]  

          As a very young girl, my nightly prayer was "Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take. AMEN"   It may sound a little depressing for a 4 or 5year old to say, but it's not.  It's was a reassurance that God is in control as I closed my eyes knowing that I had nothing to fear or worry about.  I don't recall ever being afraid of monsters under my bed.  God gave me 'peace'.  This prayer can help bring children sweeter sleep and more confidence every day.

        Oh, how I miss the sweet sleep I had in my youth.  As I look back in hindsight tho, I can see how I learned patience and endurance even during my sleep times.  Whether it was my pink foam curlers or my brace's headgear for my teeth, their uncomfortable times on my head was preparing me for a future I would've never suspected.  I wonder if those times made it easier for me to accept my current mask wearing with greater ease.

         God alone has made me sleep in safety.  I've always felt secure whether I lived at home, in the dorm, in an apartment, in a rented room, in a duplex or in my own home because I've always known God watches over me.  Psalm 145:20  "The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy."

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. —

Isaiah 26:3

Fear Isn't Part Of The Plan

 

Isaiah 41:10

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.      

         Today, I will discuss one type of fear.   The fear that comes from living in this dangerous world and the feeling of being alone, but we are not.  The verse above, Isaiah 41:10, comforts us and tells us how God is always here for us and with us.  'Do not be dismayed' reminds us not to get too frustrated, too alone, or too overwhelmed by what we face.  He is with us!  His strength helps us, like nothing in this world can provide!  Its indescribable and all-powerful!   This verse is "to silence the fears, and encourage the faith, of the servants of God in their distresses." [M. Henry]  For by suppressing our fears, He assures us... to fear not the enemy and doubt not the promises of God.  God is all-sufficient, even in our worst times.  "He will take us by the hand as our guide, to lead us in our way, will help us up when we are fallen or prevent our falls; when we are weak he will hold us up-wavering, he will fix us-trembling, he will encourage us, and so hold us by the right hand."  [M. Henry]

          As a child, some of my fears were mine alone and weren't spoken of to anyone.  I knew my legs were weaker than others, just by the mere presence of my braces.  In elementary school in Stuttgart, I had to cross the ditch to get to school and the fear of falling led me to scope out the smoothest, different path each day.  God gave me confidence thru the Holy Spirit.  When I was in 6th grade at Sylvan Hills Elementary, God provided strength thru my new friend, Nita.  She knew it was hard for me to walk up the steep hill from recess to class, so she pulled me with her belt loop on her jeans.  Onto junior high, where stairs were now a part of my daily struggles and fears.  I was slower than slow, but that was better than a fall.  I knew God was with me and upholding me with His right hand.  The struggle wasn't over when school was out but now the bus trials called for strength and endurance.  My friend, Lily, helped me get my school books onboard because just getting myself on was a feat in itself.  So many times, a tumbling I went off the bus while books and a flute case went scattering.  My dog, Bosco,  waited patiently for me so we could climb and fall on the steep gravel driveway together.  Confidence was built not only in myself but in God's promise to 'be with me always'.

           As a teenager, my most difficult surgery yet was now to be faced.  Back surgery that involved placing 2 titanium rods along my spine and fusing them to my vertebrae.  This is where my trust in God was truly tested and God's promises were on the line.  Before I went back to surgery, I had no fear or obvious doubt but I reassured my Dad that 'It was going to be okay' and it was well with my soul.

          When we let fear rule our lives instead of faith, we get a life that isn't what God had planned for us.

Responsibility

Proverbs 22:6 

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

         One thing I believe is lacking in America today is responsibility.  What teaches a child into becoming an independent and purposeful adult is responsibility.  We have a responsibility in our actions, speech and attitudes.  "The greatest day in your life and mine is when we take total responsibility for our attitudes. That's the day we truly grow up." [J. Maxwell]  Who do we work for and have responsibility due to?  Colossians 3:23  "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters."   "We need to realize that in all things our first duty and responsibility is to God Himself." [H. Ironside]  We need to need to yield specifically to the Lord, forsake every doubtful aspect in our life, be willing to obey fully to God's will, and believe through prayer that He will flood our spirit with His power.

        "The more personal responsibility we take, the more in control we are and the more control we have, the more likely we will reach our goal as there will be no excuses to fall back on if we fail. Therefore, taking responsibility for our actions equals success."

      As a child, I was taught Galatians 6:5  "for each one should carry their own load."  I was not let out of household chores, because of some weakness clause.  After school, I remember folding clothes while watching "The Brady Bunch" and walking as fast as I could during commercials to get them put away before the show resumed.  Along with the clothes, beds also had to be made before my parents got home from work. 

         Responsibility was also taught on the weekends.  I was the riding lawnmower driver.  I was paid $10 to mow our entire 2.5 acres and you could find me mowing in my bathing suit  top and shorts with my headphones on.  If I wasn't mowing, I was pulling a trailer with brush from the yard or moving dirt with the blade on the front of the riding lawnmower.

          I was also taught about my responsibility to my Lord and Savior.  That my life was to serve and be an example for Him.  Yes, I failed Him but His forgiveness was also something I shared with others.  " Everything begins with the right priorities, and right priorities begin with God." [W. Kroll]

          As I grew older, these lessons on responsibility paid off.  It was only I who would finish numerous after hour labs in college, whether it be chemistry or checking on my fruit flies in genetics.  When I changed colleges between 3 states, I knew no one was going to figure it out for me if I was going to finish with a degree somewhere.  God led me, but I had to do the work.

          My attitude towards responsibility has always been that it was mine to finish in whatever I signed up for.  I don't believe in or partake in the blame game.  I was raised to be a doer and not as an excuser.  "The providence of God does not relieve us of human responsibility: it doesn't call for inactivity, it calls for activity."  [Alistair Begg]

Being Content

 

     Welcome blog readers!  For the next several blogs, I am going to change the way I do my blogs.  I am going to make them more personal with a biblical theme or verse to draw from.  I will start as a child and go from there, but no promises to go chronologically in order.  I hope this will be both fun and purposeful.

      Deuteronomy 5:21

“You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. You shall not set your desire on your neighbor’s house or land, his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor."

      As a child, my world was as normal as any other healthy child born into this world.  I hit all the milestones with ease and was a happy toddler.  As I began walking, my right foot turned in and caused me to fall more than normal.

      That is when, I began wearing corrective shoes.  They were white leather with black accents on the sides.  I was not happy with them, because they weren't my sneakers and they had to be worn for every occasion.  This was my first lesson on covetousness.  I wanted to wear the 'cool' shoes like the other kids, but those shoes weren't helpful to my feet or falling episodes.  "We cannot be covetous and thankful at the same time. Covetousness kills contentment, joy, and peace."  I don't know if I was ever thankful for those shoes, but I did learn to accept them.

      A year or two later, I was put into leg braces.  Now these were both good and bad, from my perspective as a child.  The good was that I could pick out my shoes and add variety.  The bad was that I now had ugly, hot restraints that I had to relearn to walk with.  Although the braces supported me to fall less, there were new things to learn not to covet.  Such as the cute ankle socks with the ball on the back, instead I had to wear hot white knee high socks no matter the season.  In later years, my friends began to wear cute shoes with heels, but my braces only allowed for flat shoes.  It may sound trivial, but for a girly girl it is a real thing that you just dismiss as another thing that you just give up.

        We live in a world where there is much to desire, but we must use our faith to see that we don't have to have everything our heart desires.  The small lessons I learned as a child, that helpful aides are more beneficial than pretty things, have stuck with me throughout my life.  There would be harder choices to come later in life, but with the same basic lesson to be lived out.  "He who is not contented in what he has, would not be contented in what he would like to have." [Socrates}

       "Faith is the experience of contentment in Jesus. The fight of faith is the fight to keep your heart contented in Christ — to really believe, and keep on believing, that he will meet every need and satisfy every longing."

 

Romans 12:12

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

2 Corinthians 4:17

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

         Do the troubles of your world ever seem overwhelming?  That's the goal of Satan.  We need to say as Jesus did to Peter in Matthew 16:23 "“Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”   When Satan tries to take over our thoughts and feelings, we must recognize that they are not what Christ wants for us.   We must "stand against his wiles and depths, by standing always upon our guard against sin."  [M. Henry]

         From a friend, "Does life feel rocky for you? I know that struggle all too well, but God is greater than our circumstances! I love how God weaves different people into the tapestry of our lives. He’s a good Father."

"Be joyful in hope." To believers, hope is a confident expectation in Christ's promises, resurrection, and return. No matter what troubles we go thru, we can be joyful by trusting in God to do what He says, He will do. There is so much joy to be found in the character of God.

"Be patient in affliction."  We will all suffer heartaches, injuries, disappointments, lack, rejection, and sickness.   Affliction reminds us that this world is not our home.   God has prepared a place for believers that is so great, we cannot fathom it.  To suffer for Christ is a privilege and we should feel honored by that call to do so.

         "Be faithful in prayer."   Prayer is our always available, effective and powerful connection to God.  There is no one better to whom we can take our troubles to, as well as give thanks to for who He is and what He has done.  While we pray for things to happen in our lifetime, we must recognize that our faithfulness to prayer isn't dependent on being answered on our timeline.  We pray for God's will and in His timing.

           As for myself, I am for the most part a positive and joyful person.  That joy comes from the confidence I have in God.  Every struggle is working for my good and knowing that makes them easier to bear.  My patience has grown tremendously through my afflictions.  My trials haven't been easy, but it is God's will for me.  For me to bring Him glory through my struggles is my obedient calling.  I have struggles that are both seen and unseen, but God is most glorified by how I react.  Do I lean on Him or my own understanding of what's happening to me?  Prayer is my lifeline for everything.  When the world has walked away, betrayed me, and turned it's back on me..God has always been there to listen, guide me and love me.  "Therefore I do not lose heart. Though outwardly I am wasting away, yet inwardly I am being renewed day by day. "

Prayer Life

 

      How is your prayer life?  Often people call on God on a 911 basis, when their need is great and God is a desperate resource.  Would you like to be turned to only in an emergency?  No, of course not, and neither does God.  God is available to us, 24/7 and 365 days a year, but why is He often a last resource that we go to.  Self reliance and dependency are the main faulty reasons.

      What is  prayer and how does it work?  "Prayer is staying in communication with God—talking to Him, spending time in His presence, and drawing near to Him. Through prayer, we express adoration and thanks to God, we make requests known to Him, we intercede for others, and we learn more about His character and His will for our lives."  [gotquestions.org]

       Pastor and author Andrew Murray provided a good description of acceptable prayer, writing that “it must be to the glory of God, in full surrender to His will, in full assurance of faith, in the name of Jesus, and with a perseverance that, if need be, refuses to be denied."

        Is sin keeping you from an effective prayer life?  Unconfessed sin in your heart is a main hindrance of one's prayer life.  Isaiah 59:2  "But your iniquities have separated   you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you,   so that he will not hear."   Psalm 66:18  " If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened"

        Other Hindrances to Powerful and Effective Prayer Life:

1] When we are living according to the flesh, rather than in the Spirit 

2] When our prayers are selfishly motivated

3] A hardness of heart toward others

4] A spirit of unforgiveness toward others

5] Unbelief and doubt

6] Discord in the home

           “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective”, and that the “eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer”, and, again, “the prayer of the upright pleases Him”

Ten biblical instructions concerning prayer :

1) Pray to the Heavenly Father

2) Pray for good things 

3) Pray for needful things

4) Pray from a righteous heart

5) Pray from a grateful heart

6) Pray according to the will of God

7) Pray in the authority of Jesus Christ

8) Pray persistently

9) Pray unselfishly

10) Pray in faith

 

        Sometimes we pray and pray, but our prayers go unanswered.  This could be God saying 'No' and we are just not listening or accepting of His answer.  Or, sometimes our prayers are made in the wrong way.  

1] We want to help God answer our prayers.   If the answer doesn’t come as soon as we’d like, our faith in Him begins to waver, and we try to fix the situation ourselves. 

2] We focus on our requests rather than on God.  Our thoughts are focused on the needs and not on the One who can meet them

3] We pray without the Word of God  When Scripture fills our hearts and minds, our thoughts and prayer requests align with God’s will, and our faith grows strong. But if we neglect God’s Word, there is no light to guide our path or to give us understanding and assurance 

       I hope these thoughts on prayer help to make your prayer life more powerful and effective, as it has mine.  Peace and grace to you all.

Push Forward

 

Ephesians 6:10-11 

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

         Have you ever needed a little extra push to get something done?  I think we all have.  Remember, the little engine that could, he told himself 'I think I can' while others told him 'to believe its true then there's nothing you can't do' and that 'winners never quit'.    Encouragement is a basic need in our lives.   Life can be so discouraging at times, so much so that we have to seek out our own encouragement.  The Lord gave us the bible to not only guide us but to encourage us.  Matthew 6:33-34  "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

         Do you believe the Lord hears and knows your troubles?  Psalm 10:17-18  "You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed"   Prayer works, it's just not always on our timetable.  Our prayers are heard even when they go unanswered and sometimes no answer is the best answer.  Our cries to the Lord can motivate us to seek Him more, than we do when things are going as we'd like in our lives.  

          Romans 15: 4-6  "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."

          Proverbs 21:21  "Whoever pursues righteousness and love  finds life, prosperity and honor."  This verse is one that pushes us forward on the right path. When we do the right thing and act with love with others, then it will bring you great reward.  We have to go after or pursue being Christ-like in all our ways and then our lives will be more peaceful and prosperous.  Hebrews 12: 14  " Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord."

          We all need encouragement to make the most out of our lives and to avoid the snare of sin, that wants to entrap us.   1 Thessalonians 5:11  "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."    We can encourage each other: with a kind word, by our example, with an out-stretched arm, with a listening ear, with our resources, or by just sharing our faith.

          As for myself, I have been encouraged by many friends in different ways along my own journey.

          When I was 14 after my back surgery, I wanted to stay in bed and not move.  My aides, Missy and Tania, encouraged me with tough love to walk around the dining room and kitchen to make a training circle.  They knew that despite the pain and my complaints that this was the best path of treatment for me.  As it is with God, He helps us handle our trials, despite our complaints, knowing it will make us better and more like Him.

          Just yesterday, my church friends organized an Easter parade that went thru my driveway at home.  They knew that my recent days had been full of discouragement, so they banded together to show me that they were here for me and on my side.  As it is with God, He is always with me and will never forsake me.