New Year, new changes. Bit by bit. That's how it's going down in our house. We are just taking it one step at a time.
On New Year's Eve Day we sat our boys down, and taught them about goal setting. We talked through what our goals were, personal, professional and spiritual. Honestly it was a really neat idea my husband came up with. We had finished eating lunch and he just started the conversation and we went around the table asking each child what they wanted to learn about, change, or achieve. When you have a nine, seven and five year old you get some really cool responses.
One thing I wanted to do was put ideas into action. So yesterday since we are still on Christmas vacation from school, I made a list. Our older boys are growing up and it's a transitional point in their lives, they need some encouragement embracing maturity (don't we all at times really?). So one idea I had was to re-do their rooms. Nothing major, just updating furniture, rearranging and removing the toddler era toys and making their rooms more grown-up.
Well, we've got three boys and buying new furniture isn't something we do everyday. So we started with our seven year old because his birthday is this month. I sat each of the kids down and talked to them about growing up, and gaining more responsibility and freedom. What that entails and how they have to earn certain privileges by proving they are responsible and stepping up around the house to show us they can handle things.
As I was making my list of all the things I wanted to get done in the first three months of the year, I began to realize, some where pretty inexpensive while others were not. So my specific to-do list yesterday included the less expensive options, and a lot of prayer. I began praying asking the Lord to guide us to what He had for our boys. Specifically our oldest. It may sound silly, but I prayed and asked the Lord, "for a good deal on furniture for Joseph or even maybe if someone has a free set to pass on."
Well, I've got a sister in Christ that loves to deal hunt as I do, and she lives locally. She finds amazing deals sometimes so I sent her a text asking if she had over the holidays seen any good deals on a headboard.
A few hours later, and several bags of toys to be donated and rearranging two bedrooms of furniture, I got a text with an offer for a free headboard.
I mean, are you serious Lord?
See, sometimes I ask God for things, and in the back of my mind I might be thinking they are "pie in the sky" and a "Long-shot." So I don't even know that while asking I really expect to see the fulfillment of what I asked for. Now I am not preaching "name it and claim it." Not by any means.
What I'm suggesting is that in the busyness of our everyday, sometimes we pray without expectation. We whisper a prayer here and there, and sometimes we even pour out our hearts to God begging for action. But over time, our hearts grow stagnant. As if we know God will do what He wants to do when He wants to do it, and so yes we are praying, but no we are often not expecting.
Wrong.
"And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive." Matthew 21:22
I am not suggesting the Lord will give you everything you ask for. To be honest, we need to shout a Hallelujah that He does not give us everything we ask for! But we can be confident that when we pray, He hears us, He provides for us, He loves us, and He answers us.
He answers things sometimes in the exact way we prayed, sometimes in the exact opposite of what we prayed. But our God is a faithful God who loves His children dearly and knows our needs before we even ask, He knows our wants before we present them to Him. And at every moment He gives us exactly what we need.
So, yesterday...I had the parenting privilege to explain to my boys that the Lord knew my request even though I had spoken it to no one other than Him, and He chose to grant that. He blessed us. Not because of who I am, they are or my husband is. But simply because of who He is.
This is our God, “Who is like You among the gods, O Lord? Who is like You, majestic in holiness, Awesome in praises, working wonders? Exodus 15:11
You may be wondering why I am blogging about free bedroom furniture. You know what? It's not about the gifts, it's about the Giver! Our God is gracious, and He cares about every little detail.
Sometimes in the dailyness of life we can forget that. But God. He comes unto the mundane and shows us Himself. He is who He is, and He is majestic.
Can I encourage you today to ask the Lord to guide you in praying expectantly? Put those 'pie in the sky' requests before Him, He knows they are there anyway, you may as well lay them before Him, and watch and wait. Our God is a mighty God who is able to do exceedingly more than we can even ask or imagine. Cover your to-dos with prayer. Cover your day with prayer. Then work diligently and ask God to guide. He will.
Then, let me encourage you to share...give Him praise even when it may seem small, or you may wonder if people will think you are crazy. It's okay. It may be small, and people may think you're crazy. But the Lord won't. Nothing is too small or too great for our God and He alone is worthy of Praise!
**so go ahead, Praise the Lord, and if you wanna share with me, leave me a comment, I will gladly praise Him with you!**
Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts
1.03.2014
7.26.2013
Christmas in July
Today I went for coffee! So exciting because I don't do it all the time, and I had a FREE birthday coffee!! YAY! Coffee is good....FREE coffee is better!
So I pulled up to get my favorite drink at a local coffee shop. I ordered my drink and pulled around...I'll be honest...I was giddy. It's a bit like Christmas in July when I score a free coffee!!!
At this particular place, there is always a "question of the day" and customers put their tip in whichever answer suits them best. My jaw didn't drop at today's question...but rather seeing the results...
Okay, so honestly this may not surprise as many of you as I hope it does...but the "Lie" bin was full and the "truth" bin was sparse...at best.
So, can I pose the question, if people themselves would rather lie every time they are asked a question.....are they opposed to being lied to?
The other day I was driving behind a car with the bumper sticker that read, "Kids have imaginary friends, adults have God"
You know what? I'm appalled. I mean I didn't even grow up in a Christian home, but our family had respect for religion and the church goers among us. That era is gone folks.
Romans 1:24-25 says, " Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen"
The entire ride home my heart was so somber. All those people who "bought" into the lie....I wondered...did it seem laughable to them? Honestly....if lying wins....what does that mean? It means we are all liars. So we are all waking around lying to one another. When does it stop?
I'm not debating the Scripture that says, "all have sinned" and "none are righteous" Those are true without question, but I am saying as a believer (and I know I'm not alone...) I try to walk in the truth....Jesus says He has no greater joy than to hear that His children are walking in the truth.
Could it be possible that absolutely no fellow believers went before me today in the line for coffee? Were they are disgusted as I was? Did they forgo putting their money where the mouth is so to speak by not contributing either way. Who knows, anything is possible.
I brought it up to the barista. I said, "I'm appalled at this" To which she replied, "Well I don't put those questions there." Wow. I had to breathe, that sweet woman immediately became defensive. She must've thought she was going to get an earful of dissatisfaction from me. I just calmly replied, "Ma'am I am so disheartened that the results show people choose lying over truth....not that the question was posed." She quietly smiled and nodded in agreement.
This Christmas in July free coffee turned into a sweet time of fellowship with the Lord. I don't want to live a lie. My life isn't perfect, I don't have it all together...I may have a clean house or whatever, but I do NOT live a perfect life. I make mistakes, I say and do things I shouldn't...but by the overwhelming grace of our Lord Jesus, I can run to Him each time and receive His forgiveness and mercy and strength to live more like Christ each day.
Dear friend, fellow believer....I pray that this encourages you to take a LOVING stand for truth. Years ago, I had a situation where I felt compelled to correct a believer in Christ, I was going to write a letter...and each time I sat down to write the letter, I had no clarity. No precise words. So I stopped and I committed to prayer for a few weeks. I never ended up writing the letter. Why? Especially when the other party was clearly wrong. Well because it's amazing how quickly we all become the crowd that walked away rather than stoning the adulterous woman. We all have sin don't we? We all need Jesus. Every. Single. Day.
Don't go into a full force assault you against the world for truth. Prayerfully ask the Lord to show you where you can stand for truth in a manner that is consistent with Scripture...with love and grace. Ask God...."Lord how can I speak the truth in love today as I live in a fallen world?" Sweet friend...you will be overwhelmed with the opportunities He gives you.
So I pulled up to get my favorite drink at a local coffee shop. I ordered my drink and pulled around...I'll be honest...I was giddy. It's a bit like Christmas in July when I score a free coffee!!!
At this particular place, there is always a "question of the day" and customers put their tip in whichever answer suits them best. My jaw didn't drop at today's question...but rather seeing the results...
Okay, so honestly this may not surprise as many of you as I hope it does...but the "Lie" bin was full and the "truth" bin was sparse...at best.
So, can I pose the question, if people themselves would rather lie every time they are asked a question.....are they opposed to being lied to?
The other day I was driving behind a car with the bumper sticker that read, "Kids have imaginary friends, adults have God"
You know what? I'm appalled. I mean I didn't even grow up in a Christian home, but our family had respect for religion and the church goers among us. That era is gone folks.
Romans 1:24-25 says, " Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen"
The entire ride home my heart was so somber. All those people who "bought" into the lie....I wondered...did it seem laughable to them? Honestly....if lying wins....what does that mean? It means we are all liars. So we are all waking around lying to one another. When does it stop?
I'm not debating the Scripture that says, "all have sinned" and "none are righteous" Those are true without question, but I am saying as a believer (and I know I'm not alone...) I try to walk in the truth....Jesus says He has no greater joy than to hear that His children are walking in the truth.
Could it be possible that absolutely no fellow believers went before me today in the line for coffee? Were they are disgusted as I was? Did they forgo putting their money where the mouth is so to speak by not contributing either way. Who knows, anything is possible.
I brought it up to the barista. I said, "I'm appalled at this" To which she replied, "Well I don't put those questions there." Wow. I had to breathe, that sweet woman immediately became defensive. She must've thought she was going to get an earful of dissatisfaction from me. I just calmly replied, "Ma'am I am so disheartened that the results show people choose lying over truth....not that the question was posed." She quietly smiled and nodded in agreement.
This Christmas in July free coffee turned into a sweet time of fellowship with the Lord. I don't want to live a lie. My life isn't perfect, I don't have it all together...I may have a clean house or whatever, but I do NOT live a perfect life. I make mistakes, I say and do things I shouldn't...but by the overwhelming grace of our Lord Jesus, I can run to Him each time and receive His forgiveness and mercy and strength to live more like Christ each day.
Dear friend, fellow believer....I pray that this encourages you to take a LOVING stand for truth. Years ago, I had a situation where I felt compelled to correct a believer in Christ, I was going to write a letter...and each time I sat down to write the letter, I had no clarity. No precise words. So I stopped and I committed to prayer for a few weeks. I never ended up writing the letter. Why? Especially when the other party was clearly wrong. Well because it's amazing how quickly we all become the crowd that walked away rather than stoning the adulterous woman. We all have sin don't we? We all need Jesus. Every. Single. Day.
Don't go into a full force assault you against the world for truth. Prayerfully ask the Lord to show you where you can stand for truth in a manner that is consistent with Scripture...with love and grace. Ask God...."Lord how can I speak the truth in love today as I live in a fallen world?" Sweet friend...you will be overwhelmed with the opportunities He gives you.
5.22.2013
Check out that new Timing Belt!!!
A few days ago we took our van into the dealership for a new timing belt!!! Yes, I'm excited! Timing belts, though the parts aren't that expensive...the labor is and the consequences of one blowing can cause major engine damage. It's one of those things that takes a lot of money to fix, and you don't actually see any improvement. You don't walk out to your car and say, "Now that is a sharp timing belt!!!"
First, we have a friend who works at the local dealership and knowing we were planning on driving a lot this summer, our friend took the extra few minutes to look up the maintenance history of our vehicle. Since we bought it used all we really knew was it had not been wrecked. After a routine oil change, our friend told us, everything looked good, although the timing belt had never been changed and was about 50,000 miles overdue. We thought we needed to get this done...and somewhat expeditiously too.
So, we got a quote. $400. UGH! Really! $400 for a belt change. It's one of those things that is SO necessary. If your timing belt blows, so can your engine...and a new engine...UGH!! Yet again, you don't see any benefit. It's not like getting new tires, where at least you get to see how shiny they are and all that nice new tread so when you look at them it makes you feel somewhat better about spending all that cash.
Now, our friend said it looked in decent condition and we could drive our van throughout the summer, and it should be fine. Should be. Not sure that we want to risk blowing our engine over a $400 repair.
Knowing that expense was coming, I started praying. We had the money set aside...but I was asking the Lord for a miracle as we prepared to spend that money. We try to set aside money for larger expenses in advance, and though we knew the timing belt was coming, we thought we had another 20,000 miles before it would need a second one...needless to say when we found out it never had been changed we knew it was a priority. So, one morning as I was specifically praying for this situation, that afternoon I opened the mailbox to find an "Escrow overage" check.
Really Lord? Yes...I cried tears of thankfulness!
I mean, we are so undeserving of His abundant provision and grace.
So my sweet husband, who always takes care of me, took the van in and got the timing belt replaced. When he picked it up, it was $108 less than what we had been quoted. Really....at the dealership? Praise the Lord!
I drove the van home, and I thought about this simple timing belt and the Lord's provision, and how even though the timing belt was an unseen by most...it was a top priority...the consequences of ignoring the problem were too great.
It's just like our relationship with the Lord. We can choose to ignore His voice, His soft whisper drawing our hearts to Him through His word. We can rationalize that we don't have time to spend in His word daily, or no time to pray....afterall....no one really knows. It's not like if you overeat all the time and you become overweight....everyone can actually see that. And we don't want to look bad to others do we? Or if we roll out of bed and don't fix our hair...people can see how crazy our bedhead really is.
But remember, the Lord He looks at our hearts, not our attempts to appear righteous or "all together" for others. ..."But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7
The Lord was speaking so gently to me this week. My quiet times, and my prayer times need a fresh breath of His Spirit. I need to start afresh. I need to change my approach. Because the lackluster prayers...just don't cut it. And the bottom line...the Lord Himself has not changed.
The beauty of the Lord is that, the more of Him that we pour into ourselves....the more of Him that comes out.. "But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person." Matthew 15:18. If frustration and irritability are always coming out of my mouth as a first response...it's clear that those things have slowly crept in and crowded out the precious and living word of God that I know He has over the years hidden in my heart. It's my responsibility to rely on the Lord to guide me each day....and that sounds so simplistic so "pie in the sky" and yet if we dig into His word, we will see...that's what He is asking of us. To simply trust, and rely on Him.
I love this in John 7:38, " Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."
I want that living water to flow like a rushing river out of my heart that my kids will be blessed and my husband will be blessed and I can minister to those who need Him for God's glory. The consequences of ignoring our heart condition is just too great. We must tend to our hearts as a top priority in our Christian life. We need for our hearts to be pure before Him and in step with Him that we would bless others for His glory each day!
It's often a small amount of time....maybe an hour a day...and yet we find excuses. So...set the alarm...make an "appointment" prioritize your relationship with Him...not out of legalism...or a checklist...simply because you want to know this great God, the One who willingly gave up His own Son so that we would be saved by believing in Him. Let's know Him y'all...so that we can make Him known!!
First, we have a friend who works at the local dealership and knowing we were planning on driving a lot this summer, our friend took the extra few minutes to look up the maintenance history of our vehicle. Since we bought it used all we really knew was it had not been wrecked. After a routine oil change, our friend told us, everything looked good, although the timing belt had never been changed and was about 50,000 miles overdue. We thought we needed to get this done...and somewhat expeditiously too.
So, we got a quote. $400. UGH! Really! $400 for a belt change. It's one of those things that is SO necessary. If your timing belt blows, so can your engine...and a new engine...UGH!! Yet again, you don't see any benefit. It's not like getting new tires, where at least you get to see how shiny they are and all that nice new tread so when you look at them it makes you feel somewhat better about spending all that cash.
Now, our friend said it looked in decent condition and we could drive our van throughout the summer, and it should be fine. Should be. Not sure that we want to risk blowing our engine over a $400 repair.
Knowing that expense was coming, I started praying. We had the money set aside...but I was asking the Lord for a miracle as we prepared to spend that money. We try to set aside money for larger expenses in advance, and though we knew the timing belt was coming, we thought we had another 20,000 miles before it would need a second one...needless to say when we found out it never had been changed we knew it was a priority. So, one morning as I was specifically praying for this situation, that afternoon I opened the mailbox to find an "Escrow overage" check.
Really Lord? Yes...I cried tears of thankfulness!
I mean, we are so undeserving of His abundant provision and grace.
So my sweet husband, who always takes care of me, took the van in and got the timing belt replaced. When he picked it up, it was $108 less than what we had been quoted. Really....at the dealership? Praise the Lord!
I drove the van home, and I thought about this simple timing belt and the Lord's provision, and how even though the timing belt was an unseen by most...it was a top priority...the consequences of ignoring the problem were too great.
It's just like our relationship with the Lord. We can choose to ignore His voice, His soft whisper drawing our hearts to Him through His word. We can rationalize that we don't have time to spend in His word daily, or no time to pray....afterall....no one really knows. It's not like if you overeat all the time and you become overweight....everyone can actually see that. And we don't want to look bad to others do we? Or if we roll out of bed and don't fix our hair...people can see how crazy our bedhead really is.
But remember, the Lord He looks at our hearts, not our attempts to appear righteous or "all together" for others. ..."But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7
The Lord was speaking so gently to me this week. My quiet times, and my prayer times need a fresh breath of His Spirit. I need to start afresh. I need to change my approach. Because the lackluster prayers...just don't cut it. And the bottom line...the Lord Himself has not changed.
The beauty of the Lord is that, the more of Him that we pour into ourselves....the more of Him that comes out.. "But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person." Matthew 15:18. If frustration and irritability are always coming out of my mouth as a first response...it's clear that those things have slowly crept in and crowded out the precious and living word of God that I know He has over the years hidden in my heart. It's my responsibility to rely on the Lord to guide me each day....and that sounds so simplistic so "pie in the sky" and yet if we dig into His word, we will see...that's what He is asking of us. To simply trust, and rely on Him.
I love this in John 7:38, " Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."
I want that living water to flow like a rushing river out of my heart that my kids will be blessed and my husband will be blessed and I can minister to those who need Him for God's glory. The consequences of ignoring our heart condition is just too great. We must tend to our hearts as a top priority in our Christian life. We need for our hearts to be pure before Him and in step with Him that we would bless others for His glory each day!
It's often a small amount of time....maybe an hour a day...and yet we find excuses. So...set the alarm...make an "appointment" prioritize your relationship with Him...not out of legalism...or a checklist...simply because you want to know this great God, the One who willingly gave up His own Son so that we would be saved by believing in Him. Let's know Him y'all...so that we can make Him known!!
11.07.2012
What if defeat is the spark of revival?
I missed it. Yup....the election...the focus of our country for countless months...I missed it. Did I vote? Absolutely...to me that is a privilege and an honor and the very least I can do as a "thank you" to those who gave their lives so I could do so. But the outcome? Yeah, I fell asleep. It was a long day. So somewhere shortly after I got my kids to bed I just fell asleep watching the news.
I woke up midway through the night and asked my husband...to which he replied.."four more years." My initial thought was not surprise...but disgust. I'm just being honest. Then as I settled back down to sleep, I woke up first thing this morning, and began praising God. You know...He was not surprised. He didn't fall asleep on the election and wake up in the middle of the night to find out the results. He already knew them.
But as I was running and praying this morning, the Lord began to burden my heart. What if He is using this to spark a revival within the hearts of Christ followers throughout our nation? And...what if...just maybe that revival is a call to faithful fervent prayer?
Sometimes circumstances don't go as we would like and often we resign ourselves to not praying...thinking "well it is what it is and we can't change it."
This morning as I was running, and thinking on the Lord and His goodness. Maybe...just maybe God Himself desires a drastic work in the hearts of His followers to be committed to His word and prayer above voicing our disgust in our political system. Let's face it....we have freedom in America that is unmatched elsewhere in our world. I dare say not one of us has been threatened with our lives in America.
The 'worst' persecution I've experienced is my sister telling me that in her will, she will not let me raise her boys because I believe in Jesus. That hurts...it stings....because I love her and those boys with all my heart...BUT....I love my Jesus and I will not deny Him to gain worldly things. I do not have to forsake my God for my country...my president or anyone else for that matter.
So...I began begging God this morning...to send revival.....fall fresh on us in America....start with me! Renew my heart to be fervently committed to pray for my president. It was not coincidence that this morning my quiet time was Romans 3.
Sweet sojourner of Christ, remember in the depths of your heart...if the Lord Himself can save you and I...He can save absolutely ANYONE.
"There is none righteous, no not one, there is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God, all have turned aside, together they have become useless; there is none who does good, there is not even one." Romans 3:10-12
I woke up midway through the night and asked my husband...to which he replied.."four more years." My initial thought was not surprise...but disgust. I'm just being honest. Then as I settled back down to sleep, I woke up first thing this morning, and began praising God. You know...He was not surprised. He didn't fall asleep on the election and wake up in the middle of the night to find out the results. He already knew them.
But as I was running and praying this morning, the Lord began to burden my heart. What if He is using this to spark a revival within the hearts of Christ followers throughout our nation? And...what if...just maybe that revival is a call to faithful fervent prayer?
Sometimes circumstances don't go as we would like and often we resign ourselves to not praying...thinking "well it is what it is and we can't change it."
This morning as I was running, and thinking on the Lord and His goodness. Maybe...just maybe God Himself desires a drastic work in the hearts of His followers to be committed to His word and prayer above voicing our disgust in our political system. Let's face it....we have freedom in America that is unmatched elsewhere in our world. I dare say not one of us has been threatened with our lives in America.
The 'worst' persecution I've experienced is my sister telling me that in her will, she will not let me raise her boys because I believe in Jesus. That hurts...it stings....because I love her and those boys with all my heart...BUT....I love my Jesus and I will not deny Him to gain worldly things. I do not have to forsake my God for my country...my president or anyone else for that matter.
So...I began begging God this morning...to send revival.....fall fresh on us in America....start with me! Renew my heart to be fervently committed to pray for my president. It was not coincidence that this morning my quiet time was Romans 3.
Sweet sojourner of Christ, remember in the depths of your heart...if the Lord Himself can save you and I...He can save absolutely ANYONE.
"There is none righteous, no not one, there is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God, all have turned aside, together they have become useless; there is none who does good, there is not even one." Romans 3:10-12
AND
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23
So...I appeal to you, anyone who reads this or stumbles across this, would you join me in fervent prayer for our leaders not to make the right decisions...but to have the eyes of their hearts opened the the sweet love our of Jesus....to pray that as a nation we would be a people with soft and ready hearts to hear the word of God, to receive it and to act on it and live it out. Being honest, as believers we know....that salvation is the start...all the rest...making right decisions, living a life that honors God...that follows salvation...because truly Christ is the answer. So let's get crazy.
Let's live it out...let's pray EXPECTING that God Himself hears (John 11:41-42) and that He, the God of all creation will pour out His Spirit afresh on our nation. Ask....but ask believing that God will act. Do not ask defeated...do not allow the doubt, anger or frustration to have a foothold. Don't do it. Stand in the victory of Christ and rest on His Sovereignty. Then, if you are so inclined...fall on your face before your Maker and beg for revival. We all need it to some extent...and if we lay it all down...God sees people as saved or lost. That's all. His word tells us He doesn't want any to perish but all to come to eternal life.
Roll up your sleeves...let's get busy...let's PRAY WITHOUT CEASING (1 Thes. 5:17) Can we join together to pray for salvation to fall afresh on our country? Can we trust that God really is who He says He is, and He is so much bigger than a political party and that God is far more concerned with our hearts than our voter registration?
10.23.2012
....get up...engage and get moving....
So, I love to exercise. Well, I like it..I love how I feel after the soreness goes away. I've been a fairly active person throughout my life, I actually played basketball throughout my youth. You would think then, that my body "knows" how to do exercises...but alas...even this morning as I was doing one particular ab exercise, I had to "tell" my abs to wake up engage and get moving! It's funny...I realize that might actually sound ridiculous to you. I tell my muscles to get going. But for whatever reason post c-sections, I've had to engage my mind in getting my abdominal muscles to work.
This morning as I was telling my abs...'wake up and do this!' the Lord spoke softly to my heart....that's what I've been telling you for years. Get up, engage and get moving!!! Thank you Lord for your kindness...you soft whispers...Your loud shouts...Your willingness to actively pursue a sinner like me!!
It seems funny to me that over certain seasons of our lives we will deal with particular sins....we will run to God and His word and experience tremendous victory over sin as we actively pursue Him...remember, 1 Cor 10:3-4 ...the battle we fight is not of this world but in the spiritual realm and the strength we have is divinely powerful!!!
I remember as I first committed to living for Christ and then told my family, I heard all sorts of comments but one stuck with my so vividly, I can hear it as if it were yesterday.."Oh...it's just a phase you'll grow out of it."
Ouch! As I look back, not only do I know through the word of God that that statement was foolish, but I can clearly see the judgement... Yes, from an unbeliever. It's painful...and especially when it comes from a loved one. You can be so thrilled about Jesus and that excitement can (momentarily) be quenched when a dear loved one pronounces judgement on you so harsh as that. Belittling the very life that has renewed and redeemed you. It's a tough pill to swallow.
...as I see the Lord working actively in my life..that was only the beginning. That was the beginning of the Lord dealing with my heart about a judgmental spirit in me. Sometimes...I honestly believe that the Lord allows us to actually experience the very same sin we struggle with in order to develop a godly compassion for those who struggle with it, and to develop a pure heart that cries out to God for deliverance for others from the very sins we were in bondage to.
Trust me, it's never fun being on the receiving end of someone's sinful actions. That goes for any sin...not just anger or gossip....being judged...receiving unkind words..being lied to....and the list rolls on doesn't it?
God is faithful, clearly..God works miracles...I am a sinner redeemed!
I've been studying through James in my quiet time, and this in the "God's Word Translation" says it best...
"All of us make a lot of mistakes. If someone doesn’t make any mistakes when he speaks, he would be perfect. He would be able to control everything he does." James 3:2
The growth I believe comes as you can clearly discern sin in others...and out of a pure heart pray for them. Exercising self control and not speaking judgement on others often blesses hearts and saves relationships...more often than we could ever imagine.
What does it look like to with a pure heart pray for the sins of others? Well, personally...I believe it comes when you have a heart that is truly at peace with God and you forgive the hurt their sin has caused you and you desire for them to be free from that sin so they can experience Christ in a fresh way...OVER the desire for self vindication or self justification.
Tough. Pill. To. Swallow.
Truly desiring a brother or sister in Christ to be free from sin instead of "getting even"
I encourage you dear sister, look to your Creator and embrace His truth...
"But the Lord told Samuel, “Don’t look at his appearance or how tall he is, because I have rejected him. God does not see as humans see. Humans look at outward appearances, but the Lord looks into the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7
Why this verse? For me this is a resting place. A truth that I hold very dear to my heart. I've been the one looking at the outward of others, I been (and still am and will be) judged by my outward...but my confidence, my trust and my identity are rooted solely in Christ. Not man. What the Lord thinks of me is what is true. Who the Lord tells me I am is really who I am...not what others think, judge or perceive.
Sometimes, I have to tell my mind...wake up...engage and get MOVING. Just do what God has called you to do..don't 'sit a spell' in the judgment of others. Don't wallow in that pit. Step out, look up and trust with unwavering confidence...the Lord, He is my God. He is my Rock and He is faithful!
This is our mission ladies: "For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10
While we are trying our best to live at peace with all men (and women) as God calls us to, we are ever aware that our purpose is to live a life pleasing to God. Remember it is the Lord Christ we serve!!!
This morning as I was telling my abs...'wake up and do this!' the Lord spoke softly to my heart....that's what I've been telling you for years. Get up, engage and get moving!!! Thank you Lord for your kindness...you soft whispers...Your loud shouts...Your willingness to actively pursue a sinner like me!!
It seems funny to me that over certain seasons of our lives we will deal with particular sins....we will run to God and His word and experience tremendous victory over sin as we actively pursue Him...remember, 1 Cor 10:3-4 ...the battle we fight is not of this world but in the spiritual realm and the strength we have is divinely powerful!!!
I remember as I first committed to living for Christ and then told my family, I heard all sorts of comments but one stuck with my so vividly, I can hear it as if it were yesterday.."Oh...it's just a phase you'll grow out of it."
Ouch! As I look back, not only do I know through the word of God that that statement was foolish, but I can clearly see the judgement... Yes, from an unbeliever. It's painful...and especially when it comes from a loved one. You can be so thrilled about Jesus and that excitement can (momentarily) be quenched when a dear loved one pronounces judgement on you so harsh as that. Belittling the very life that has renewed and redeemed you. It's a tough pill to swallow.
...as I see the Lord working actively in my life..that was only the beginning. That was the beginning of the Lord dealing with my heart about a judgmental spirit in me. Sometimes...I honestly believe that the Lord allows us to actually experience the very same sin we struggle with in order to develop a godly compassion for those who struggle with it, and to develop a pure heart that cries out to God for deliverance for others from the very sins we were in bondage to.
Trust me, it's never fun being on the receiving end of someone's sinful actions. That goes for any sin...not just anger or gossip....being judged...receiving unkind words..being lied to....and the list rolls on doesn't it?
God is faithful, clearly..God works miracles...I am a sinner redeemed!
I've been studying through James in my quiet time, and this in the "God's Word Translation" says it best...
"All of us make a lot of mistakes. If someone doesn’t make any mistakes when he speaks, he would be perfect. He would be able to control everything he does." James 3:2
The growth I believe comes as you can clearly discern sin in others...and out of a pure heart pray for them. Exercising self control and not speaking judgement on others often blesses hearts and saves relationships...more often than we could ever imagine.
What does it look like to with a pure heart pray for the sins of others? Well, personally...I believe it comes when you have a heart that is truly at peace with God and you forgive the hurt their sin has caused you and you desire for them to be free from that sin so they can experience Christ in a fresh way...OVER the desire for self vindication or self justification.
Tough. Pill. To. Swallow.
Truly desiring a brother or sister in Christ to be free from sin instead of "getting even"
I encourage you dear sister, look to your Creator and embrace His truth...
"But the Lord told Samuel, “Don’t look at his appearance or how tall he is, because I have rejected him. God does not see as humans see. Humans look at outward appearances, but the Lord looks into the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7
Why this verse? For me this is a resting place. A truth that I hold very dear to my heart. I've been the one looking at the outward of others, I been (and still am and will be) judged by my outward...but my confidence, my trust and my identity are rooted solely in Christ. Not man. What the Lord thinks of me is what is true. Who the Lord tells me I am is really who I am...not what others think, judge or perceive.
Sometimes, I have to tell my mind...wake up...engage and get MOVING. Just do what God has called you to do..don't 'sit a spell' in the judgment of others. Don't wallow in that pit. Step out, look up and trust with unwavering confidence...the Lord, He is my God. He is my Rock and He is faithful!
This is our mission ladies: "For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10
While we are trying our best to live at peace with all men (and women) as God calls us to, we are ever aware that our purpose is to live a life pleasing to God. Remember it is the Lord Christ we serve!!!
2.26.2012
Praying through it all
"First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men" 1 Timothy 2:1
I have to confess, I haven't been praying as fervently lately as I ought. I've been praying consistently, just not fervently. Sometimes as I've felt the Lord nudge me to pray for others, I won't stop and do it right then, sometimes I do. I've been haphazardly approaching prayer. It's ridiculous. It's not okay. As I look back on the past week's events, I realize a few things, first...I'm an idiot. I take prayer for granted and I ought to be consistently praying without ceasing, and second....taking the time to stop and pray with a friend is often more powerful and certainly more meaningful than a hug and a pat on the back.
Here's my week in review....I'll try to be brief so as not to bore you, but I pray....that as you read you will Praise Him with me, He is amazingly wonderful and altogether worthy! Our God is all-powerful and all-sufficient. He supplies our needs, He creates needs we don't even know we have, and then meets them in ways we certainly could never deserve. He is good!
6:45 pm last Sunday, I hadn't heard from Micah in a while and I thought that he and our oldest should almost be home, so I sent him a text asking if he was okay. I didn't hear back as quickly as I normally do, which is weird, because my husband and I communicate very well. So, after a few minutes, I felt the Lord leading me to pray for them. So, I did...asking for protection and for them to return safely home.
7:08pm, I get a call. "Well, we've been in an accident, and we were hit on Joseph's side of the car."
Words you DO NOT want to hear. A long pause, and then, "He seems fine, the EMS are checking him out now...I'll call you back."
Well. Instantly I started praying again. Not knowing what to think. Finally I got a call back, it was my sweet boy....I just needed to hear him speak to me, just to know he was okay.
His head his the glass and the black part that separates the rear window, and you can never be too careful with possible head injury. The EMS checked him out while Micah got his ticket and and the information he needed. They told my husband if he mentioned his head felt funny or he became nauseated we needed to take him to the ER for a formal evaluation.
So, they piled in the crashed Civic, which was drivable...but not pretty....and headed this way. I get a call, and my husband sounds uneasy. He told me our son started complaining that he felt like he may throw up, and his head felt "weird." To the ER they went. I am SO thankful for the Lord's provision of friends. With one text, a sweet sister in Christ was on her way over here and stayed with our youngest two so I could go and be with them at the hospital.
Before I left, she reached for my hand and said, "Let's pray" So, we did, me full of nerves and tears..my three year old loudly interrupting, but we prayed.
That drive to the hospital took forever. I called my in-laws asking for prayer and then spent the rest of the silence in prayer myself. By the time I made it to the hospital they were finishing up his CT Scan. Within 20 minutes we were being discharged. He was fine, just shaken up.
8:45 pm that night, we were all home. A little shaken...but I can honestly say our hearts were overflowing with gratitude.
My husband and I got our oldest settled, they had told us to keep him up a few more hours...and then we prayed together for the Lord's mercy throughout this ordeal. Often the accident isn't the toughest part. It's dealing with insurance, figuring out about the car and repairs. Injury claims, hospital bills.
On Tuesday, my husband dropped the Civic off at the insurance body shop around 10:30. We had no idea how long this mess would take, so we had been praying asking the Lord to work out all the details and to protect us.
By Tuesday afternoon at 4:30, we received a call. RIP Civic. 2005-2012. The car could not be salvaged, because though it appeared minor, the damage was substantial (frame damage).
So, now we had to hunt for a new car. A good car isn't easy to find. Well, okay...a good cheap car isn't easy to find.
Wednesday at 9:30 am, we met at the insurance body repair place and received a check for our car, above and beyond anything we ever expected. Apparently, it pays to keep the interior of your car in great shape!
We were searching all over for a good deal on a reliable older car that we could pay cash for, everyone's dream right? Just not always a reality because they are hard to find.
Well, our dreams sometimes are outdone by God's reality. We could not have ever imagined how the Lord would direct us to a car that wasn't even for sale, and yet...the owners willingly sold it to us, and for less than Blue Book value and about $600 less that what we settled for with insurance.
Thursday around 5:15, we went and bought the car. Friday at 8:30 we transferred tags and title. Added the car to our insurance and got our rate lowered.
Then Friday afternoon, because my sweet husband had been wanting a larger TV for our bedroom, I took took our oldest to buy one...because the Lord provided above and beyond anything we could have ever imagined.
Saturday, we took our "new" old car on a date.
And here I am....a dork who doesn't pray like I should....totally unworthy of God's blessings, and yet...He is God and He overflows His goodness and grace into my life...just because of WHO He IS!!!
This week was a whirlwind, but it was amazing. On top of all that, we were able to teach through this with our oldest. It was a living example of God's protection, provision and faithfulness. It was a tremendous blessing to be able to use something so real and so "bad" in our sons' eyes...to show him the goodness of our God!!
And, thank you to all of you who read my status on facebook and stopped and prayed. Thank you to my church family who called, emailed, texted and prayed. Thank you to my family (be it by marriage, not blood...but stronger because of Christ) for being there to lean on and trust for prayers.
"Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thes. 5:16-18
I have to confess, I haven't been praying as fervently lately as I ought. I've been praying consistently, just not fervently. Sometimes as I've felt the Lord nudge me to pray for others, I won't stop and do it right then, sometimes I do. I've been haphazardly approaching prayer. It's ridiculous. It's not okay. As I look back on the past week's events, I realize a few things, first...I'm an idiot. I take prayer for granted and I ought to be consistently praying without ceasing, and second....taking the time to stop and pray with a friend is often more powerful and certainly more meaningful than a hug and a pat on the back.
Here's my week in review....I'll try to be brief so as not to bore you, but I pray....that as you read you will Praise Him with me, He is amazingly wonderful and altogether worthy! Our God is all-powerful and all-sufficient. He supplies our needs, He creates needs we don't even know we have, and then meets them in ways we certainly could never deserve. He is good!
6:45 pm last Sunday, I hadn't heard from Micah in a while and I thought that he and our oldest should almost be home, so I sent him a text asking if he was okay. I didn't hear back as quickly as I normally do, which is weird, because my husband and I communicate very well. So, after a few minutes, I felt the Lord leading me to pray for them. So, I did...asking for protection and for them to return safely home.
7:08pm, I get a call. "Well, we've been in an accident, and we were hit on Joseph's side of the car."
Words you DO NOT want to hear. A long pause, and then, "He seems fine, the EMS are checking him out now...I'll call you back."
Well. Instantly I started praying again. Not knowing what to think. Finally I got a call back, it was my sweet boy....I just needed to hear him speak to me, just to know he was okay.
His head his the glass and the black part that separates the rear window, and you can never be too careful with possible head injury. The EMS checked him out while Micah got his ticket and and the information he needed. They told my husband if he mentioned his head felt funny or he became nauseated we needed to take him to the ER for a formal evaluation.
So, they piled in the crashed Civic, which was drivable...but not pretty....and headed this way. I get a call, and my husband sounds uneasy. He told me our son started complaining that he felt like he may throw up, and his head felt "weird." To the ER they went. I am SO thankful for the Lord's provision of friends. With one text, a sweet sister in Christ was on her way over here and stayed with our youngest two so I could go and be with them at the hospital.
Before I left, she reached for my hand and said, "Let's pray" So, we did, me full of nerves and tears..my three year old loudly interrupting, but we prayed.
That drive to the hospital took forever. I called my in-laws asking for prayer and then spent the rest of the silence in prayer myself. By the time I made it to the hospital they were finishing up his CT Scan. Within 20 minutes we were being discharged. He was fine, just shaken up.
8:45 pm that night, we were all home. A little shaken...but I can honestly say our hearts were overflowing with gratitude.
My husband and I got our oldest settled, they had told us to keep him up a few more hours...and then we prayed together for the Lord's mercy throughout this ordeal. Often the accident isn't the toughest part. It's dealing with insurance, figuring out about the car and repairs. Injury claims, hospital bills.
On Tuesday, my husband dropped the Civic off at the insurance body shop around 10:30. We had no idea how long this mess would take, so we had been praying asking the Lord to work out all the details and to protect us.
By Tuesday afternoon at 4:30, we received a call. RIP Civic. 2005-2012. The car could not be salvaged, because though it appeared minor, the damage was substantial (frame damage).
So, now we had to hunt for a new car. A good car isn't easy to find. Well, okay...a good cheap car isn't easy to find.
Wednesday at 9:30 am, we met at the insurance body repair place and received a check for our car, above and beyond anything we ever expected. Apparently, it pays to keep the interior of your car in great shape!
We were searching all over for a good deal on a reliable older car that we could pay cash for, everyone's dream right? Just not always a reality because they are hard to find.
Well, our dreams sometimes are outdone by God's reality. We could not have ever imagined how the Lord would direct us to a car that wasn't even for sale, and yet...the owners willingly sold it to us, and for less than Blue Book value and about $600 less that what we settled for with insurance.
Thursday around 5:15, we went and bought the car. Friday at 8:30 we transferred tags and title. Added the car to our insurance and got our rate lowered.
Then Friday afternoon, because my sweet husband had been wanting a larger TV for our bedroom, I took took our oldest to buy one...because the Lord provided above and beyond anything we could have ever imagined.
Saturday, we took our "new" old car on a date.
And here I am....a dork who doesn't pray like I should....totally unworthy of God's blessings, and yet...He is God and He overflows His goodness and grace into my life...just because of WHO He IS!!!
This week was a whirlwind, but it was amazing. On top of all that, we were able to teach through this with our oldest. It was a living example of God's protection, provision and faithfulness. It was a tremendous blessing to be able to use something so real and so "bad" in our sons' eyes...to show him the goodness of our God!!
And, thank you to all of you who read my status on facebook and stopped and prayed. Thank you to my church family who called, emailed, texted and prayed. Thank you to my family (be it by marriage, not blood...but stronger because of Christ) for being there to lean on and trust for prayers.
"Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thes. 5:16-18
12.31.2009
LORD, give me the wisdom, the strength and the power!!!
This morning all my children decided to ask for a snack at the same time....and my reply without thinking was, "your request will be processed in the order it was received" Really...have I been on hold lately? I honestly had to laugh a bit at myself, and then I started thinking about how the Lord always hear us, ALL of us, all the time. For those that are in Christ Jesus, we can pray at any time, in fact God tells us to "Pray without ceasing" 1 Thes 5:17. As I'm praying without ceasing, so might another brother or sister...and yet God hears us all. I think that the best word I can muster up is, humbling.
Lately we've been dealing with a lot of behavioral issues with my eldest son. Which primarily falls on my shoulders being that I am home with them. It's tough and taxing, and at times I just pick up a book just to escape because it seems too much. Finally, a few days ago when I thought I was going to lose the last bit of sanity I was struggling to hold onto....I shared my concerns with a friend...who I can absolutely trust to pray.
She shared with me out of Job 26, which was just an amazing blessing and helped me to refocus and regroup, my prayers stopped being about changing my sons' behavior...and more of crying out to the Lord to change me, change my responses...give me the grace to not grow weary in doing good, but to persevere to His glory! Parenting is beyond tough, it's indescribable. If I desire to reach my hearts' of my children, correct behavior will not be enough...Christ in them directing their lives must be my desire above my selfishness to just want well behaved children. I can not fathom parenting without Christ, much like I can not fathom marriage without Christ. Christ and His word.....for me is like oxygen, I can not breathe without Him or His Word (which He is, John 1:14). I can not, and nor would I want to, the depths of my heart are at best deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9) and nothing good dwells within me except that which is of God (Romans 7:18).
So, this morning as I was processing my children's requests, I began to think about God as my heavenly Father doesn't have to prioritize my requests verses another child's requests, He hears it all and responds to us all, in His time and for His glory. I began to think on His word and His goodness, and how He never changes, and sometimes I've felt recently as I've been dealing with my son that He seemingly was just not hearing my prayers about my son. Through His word:
"How you have helped him who has no power! How you have saved the arm that has no strength! How you have counseled him who has no wisdom and plentifully declared sound knowledge!" Job 26:2-3
I just dropped it all at His feet, my self centered prayers for changed behavior without regard to a heart change, because that is the easy way out. The Lord has stopped those, He's renewed a passion within me to cry out for my sons' heart....and revealing to me that my finite mind can never process all that God is, and the older I get and the more "I know" the less I really know, because God alone is God! I have no power to change my son, I must obey the Lord and discipline my children, I must love God before them as an example, but I must rest on the power of Christ in me to do this. I am completely powerless, I have no strength, I have no wisdom...but I have a Savior who imparts that to me as I ask (James 1:5, Job 26:4). I can trust that God will through Christ give me the strength, power and wisdom to "survive" this to His glory!
I'd challenge you sisters, to ask yourself...Am I praying for my loved ones to change so that it will make my life easier, or am I willing to simply trust God and pray for His work in both my heart and theirs, trusting that that change may be in myself or them or both, but whoever is changed it will be for the glory of God!
It's hard to not suggest the seemingly perfect solution to the Lord at times in prayer....but His ways are not our ways nor are His thoughts ours, thanks be to God, they are MUCH higher (Is.55:8-9)
Lately we've been dealing with a lot of behavioral issues with my eldest son. Which primarily falls on my shoulders being that I am home with them. It's tough and taxing, and at times I just pick up a book just to escape because it seems too much. Finally, a few days ago when I thought I was going to lose the last bit of sanity I was struggling to hold onto....I shared my concerns with a friend...who I can absolutely trust to pray.
She shared with me out of Job 26, which was just an amazing blessing and helped me to refocus and regroup, my prayers stopped being about changing my sons' behavior...and more of crying out to the Lord to change me, change my responses...give me the grace to not grow weary in doing good, but to persevere to His glory! Parenting is beyond tough, it's indescribable. If I desire to reach my hearts' of my children, correct behavior will not be enough...Christ in them directing their lives must be my desire above my selfishness to just want well behaved children. I can not fathom parenting without Christ, much like I can not fathom marriage without Christ. Christ and His word.....for me is like oxygen, I can not breathe without Him or His Word (which He is, John 1:14). I can not, and nor would I want to, the depths of my heart are at best deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9) and nothing good dwells within me except that which is of God (Romans 7:18).
So, this morning as I was processing my children's requests, I began to think about God as my heavenly Father doesn't have to prioritize my requests verses another child's requests, He hears it all and responds to us all, in His time and for His glory. I began to think on His word and His goodness, and how He never changes, and sometimes I've felt recently as I've been dealing with my son that He seemingly was just not hearing my prayers about my son. Through His word:
"How you have helped him who has no power! How you have saved the arm that has no strength! How you have counseled him who has no wisdom and plentifully declared sound knowledge!" Job 26:2-3
I just dropped it all at His feet, my self centered prayers for changed behavior without regard to a heart change, because that is the easy way out. The Lord has stopped those, He's renewed a passion within me to cry out for my sons' heart....and revealing to me that my finite mind can never process all that God is, and the older I get and the more "I know" the less I really know, because God alone is God! I have no power to change my son, I must obey the Lord and discipline my children, I must love God before them as an example, but I must rest on the power of Christ in me to do this. I am completely powerless, I have no strength, I have no wisdom...but I have a Savior who imparts that to me as I ask (James 1:5, Job 26:4). I can trust that God will through Christ give me the strength, power and wisdom to "survive" this to His glory!
I'd challenge you sisters, to ask yourself...Am I praying for my loved ones to change so that it will make my life easier, or am I willing to simply trust God and pray for His work in both my heart and theirs, trusting that that change may be in myself or them or both, but whoever is changed it will be for the glory of God!
It's hard to not suggest the seemingly perfect solution to the Lord at times in prayer....but His ways are not our ways nor are His thoughts ours, thanks be to God, they are MUCH higher (Is.55:8-9)
1.13.2009
the blessing of prayer
Today even before I got up..I just started praying, I've been feeling overwhelmed lately...probably because I've actually been reading the news. I don't really have time to watch TV, so periodically throughout the day I will check out the news online. It's CRAZY to say the least...and for me..what I've found..I'm better off spiritually if I don't know what's going on in this crazy world. But then I stop and think, and really that's probably selfish, because God has given me a gift...and it's not a secret it's a gift He has given to all of us..and it's something I am so passionate about, and need to do even more of...prayer. I was reading this morning...in Genesis, the story of Jacob after he had married his wives..and these verses was so pointed to me, "Jacob said, "O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, O LORD, who said to me, 'Return to your country and to your relatives, and I will prosper you,' I am unworthy of all the lovingkindness and of all the faithfulness which You have shown to Your servant; for with my staff {only} I crossed this Jordan, and now I have become two companies. Deliver me, I pray..." 32:9-11a I was just overwhelmed this morning with my own depravity and the almighty grace of my Savior. I look around at our world, I read the news...and I'm "shocked" at the outward expressions of sin that people exhibit, and then I pray. But God Himself, shocked by nothing because He is all knowing, knows the sins of my heart. I don't know of any particular sin right now that I am dealing with, other than just daily living a life that honors God by not sinning, and that itself is a feat...something that only comes from God...living in His grace and by His guidance. But I am aware that I am completely wholly unworthy to call God Father, to depend on His grace and sacrifice, and yet...that is what He has done. He accomplished what an unworthy sinner such as myself could not, and then graciously credited His actions on Calvary to my account. It's amazing really....completely humbling and so encouraging that I am to daily live for Him. AS Jacob cried out to God, saying how unworthy he was to received God's lovingkindess and faithfulness, I found myself this morning in a warm closet reading Jacob's heart, and I thought how amazingly blessed the Lord has made me, not just because I have a warm closet I can read His word in and cry out to Him in, but simply because He chose before the foundations of the earth to draw me near to Him, and bring me into the family of God. Long ago, I told a friend of mine, I never want to get over being saved. I think sometimes we do. I know I go through periods where I just don't give much thought to it...but I want to wake up each morning and Praise the Lord for being redeemed. I love how the Lord put this passage in His word to show us, our brothers and sisters in the past had the same sinful human heart we do today, and yet the cried out to God...they persisted...they did not let up...they laid their hearts and lives before the Lord. One of my favorite things from the Old Testament is the amazing prayers of the saints, crying out to God, as Hannah did, as Jeremiah did as Daniel did, and the list goes on. Their prayers...the WORD of God are such an astounding blessing, I find when I don't know what to pray..I can pray the words of my brothers and sisters from the Old Testament and it truly blesses my soul.
I want to share a few of my favorites with you, and I pray that God's word, which does not return void, blesses your soul.
O my God, incline Your ear and hear! Open Your eyes and see our desolations and the city which is called by Your name; for we are not presenting our supplications before You on account of any merits of our own, but on account of Your great compassion. "O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and take action! For Your own sake, O my God, do not delay, because Your city and Your people are called by Your name." Daniel 9:18-19
Call to Me, and I will answer you and teach you great and unsearchable things you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3
As for Hannah, she was speaking in her heart, only her lips were moving, but her voice was not heard. So Eli thought she was drunk. Then Eli said to her, "How long will you make yourself drunk? Put away your wine from you." But Hannah replied, "No, my lord, I am a woman oppressed in spirit; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have poured out my soul before the LORD. 1 Samuel 1:13-15
I want to share a few of my favorites with you, and I pray that God's word, which does not return void, blesses your soul.
O my God, incline Your ear and hear! Open Your eyes and see our desolations and the city which is called by Your name; for we are not presenting our supplications before You on account of any merits of our own, but on account of Your great compassion. "O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and take action! For Your own sake, O my God, do not delay, because Your city and Your people are called by Your name." Daniel 9:18-19
Call to Me, and I will answer you and teach you great and unsearchable things you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3
As for Hannah, she was speaking in her heart, only her lips were moving, but her voice was not heard. So Eli thought she was drunk. Then Eli said to her, "How long will you make yourself drunk? Put away your wine from you." But Hannah replied, "No, my lord, I am a woman oppressed in spirit; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have poured out my soul before the LORD. 1 Samuel 1:13-15
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