Welcome to 'Prayer Reflections' - Please relax with a cuppa & enjoy! If this is your first visit you will find an introduction message & affirmations (located on top left side of page). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That's How Much I Love You
Untethered by time, [God] sees us all. From the backwoods of Virginia to the business district of London; from the Vikings to the astronauts, from the cave-dwellers to the kings, from the hut-builders to the finger-pointers to the rock-stackers, he sees us. Vagabonds and ragamuffins all, he saw us before we were born. And he loves what he sees.
Flooded by emotion. Overcome by pride, the Starmaker turns to us, one by one, and says, "You are my child. I love you dearly. I'm aware that someday you'll turn from me and walk away. But I want you to know, I've already provided you a way back."
And to prove it, he did something extraordinary.
Stepping from the throne, he removed his robe of light and wrapped himself in skin: pigmented, human skin. The light of the universe entered a dark, wet womb. He who angels worship nestled himself in the placenta of a peasant, was birthed into the cold night, and then slept on cow's hay.
Mary didn't know whether to give him milk or give him praise, but she gave him both since he was, as near as she could figure, hungry and holy. Joseph didn't know whether to call him Junior or Father. But in the end called him Jesus, since that's what the angel said and since he didn't have the faintest idea what to name a God he could cradle in his arms.
Neither Mary nor Joseph said it as bluntly as my Sara, but don't you think their heads tilted and their minds wondered, "What in the world are you doing, God?" Or, better phrased, "God, what are you doing in the world?"
"Can anything make me stop loving you?" God asks. "
Watch me speak your language, sleep on your earth, and feel your hurts. Behold the maker of sight and sound as he sneezes, coughs, and blows his nose.
You wonder if I understand how you feel? Look into the dancing eyes of the kid in Nazareth; that's God walking to school. Ponder the toddler at Mary's table; that's God spilling his milk.
"You wonder how long my love will last? Find your answer on a splintered cross, on a craggy hill. That's me you see up there, your maker, your God, nail-stabbed and bleeding. Covered in spit and sin-soaked. That's your sin I'm feeling. That's your death I'm dying. That's your resurrection I'm living. That's how much I love you."
From In the Grip of Grace Copyright 1996, Max Lucado
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Seven Lessons From The Cross
"Father, forgive them; they don't know what they're doing." Luke 23:34 TM
Lesson 1: Forgive those who hurt you.
Two children were playing when one accidentally hit the other with a stick. That night the injured boy's mum said, "Son, you must forgive Harry before you go to sleep." Grudgingly he replied, "Okay, but unless I die before I wake up, he'd better watch out tomorrow morning!"
Hello! When people hurt us, it's hard to believe it could've been unintentional or done in ignorance. Yet amazingly, after being flogged, humiliated and nailed to the cross,
Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; they don't know what they're doing." Forgiving means refusing to remain a victim. By not holding grudges or retaliating you free yourself from the control of those who offend you.
Jesus said, "Pray for anyone who mistreats you" (Mt 5:44 CEV).
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who was persecuted by the Nazis, said, "God doesn't promise that when we bless our enemies they'll not despitefully use us. They will. But that can't hurt or overcome us, so long as we pray for them. By praying for them, we are doing for them what they can't do for themselves."
Professor Tony Campolo routinely asks his secular college students what they know about the teachings of Jesus. The response is always the same: "Love your enemies." More than anything else this command stands out as the thing that differentiates Christians from non-Christians. Jesus said, "Give as freely as you have received!" (Mt 10:8 NLT). Practicing forgiveness stems from a deep gratitude to God for wiping out a debt so great, we could never have repaid it."
Assuredly...today you will be with Me in Paradise." Luke 23:43
Lesson 2: Reach out to others.
When Jesus was hanging on the cross the Bible says, "One of the criminals hanging alongside cursed him. But the other...made him shut up: 'Have you no fear of God.We deserve this. He did nothing.' Then he said, 'Jesus, remember me when you enter your kingdom.'
[Jesus] said.' Today you will join Me in paradise'" (Lk 23:39-43 TM).
While one man mocked, the other acknowledged his sins and received mercy. The truth is, as much as it galls judgmental people, God said, "If you confess and reject [your sin], you will receive mercy" (Pr 28:13 NCV). And that promise is for the lost, the least, and the lowest among us. Jesus could have been so focused on His own pain that He failed to see the suffering of those around Him. But instead He reached out in love as a fellow-sufferer.
In the depth of His own agony He not only promised the thief on the cross eternal life, He comforted him with these amazing words; "Today you will be with Me in Paradise!"
There's a lesson here for you - one that Job the patriarch learned. Job lost all his children and his fortune in a single day. Yet he found healing - and went on to greater things.
How? Listen: "After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before. After this, Job. saw his children and their children to the fourth generation" (Job 42:10 &16 NIV). It's in reaching out to others, that we ourselves become whole.
"Woman, here is your son." John 19:26-27 TM
Lesson 3: Take care of the people who depend on you.
In addition to losing her son, Mary was also losing His protective "covering" in a society where women were often treated as second-class citizens after the family males died. So as well as coping with her grief as a mother, Mary may have been wondering what the future held for her. Jesus recognised that. In the midst of the chaos, when He saw her and "the disciple He loved standing near. He said to His mother, 'Woman, here is your son.'
Then to the disciple, 'Here is your mother.'" When the other disciples fled in fear, John followed Jesus all the way to Calvary. Then he went even further. The Bible tells us (and history confirms it) that once Jesus committed Mary to his care, John fulfilled that charge, and "From that moment. accepted her as his own mother" (Jn 19:27 TM).
Here's what we learn from this. Never let your own suffering blind you to the needs of those who depend on you. When you're enmeshed in your own problems it's easy to assume that your loved ones automatically understand where you're coming from. Not necessarily. While it's okay to let them help, never "dump your stuff" on them, or expect them to suffer because you're suffering. The Bible says, "Do not let selfishness be your guide ... give more honour to others than to yourselves. Do not be interested only in your own life, but.in the lives of others" (Php 2:3-4 NCV).
Jesus was always more concerned with other people's needs than His own - and we should take our cue from Him.
"God, why have You forsaken Me?" Matthew 27:46 NKJV
Lesson 4: Direct the hard questions to God.
At Calvary Jesus asks one of the most heart-wrenching questions ever recorded, "God, why have You forsaken Me?" These words are also found in Psalm 22:1-3 (TM), where David poured out his soul in despair, asking God, "Why did you dump me ... Are you indifferent?"
Ever felt like that? The Bible says that at Calvary God made Jesus "who knew no sin, to be sin so we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Co 5:21 NASB). In order to break sin's hold on us and make salvation possible, Jesus underwent a temporary separation from His Father. At that precise moment He felt "Godforsaken." If you've ever felt overwhelmed and abandoned, you know from experience that there's not another living soul who has a satisfactory answer to your "Why?"
With the best of intentions our loved ones can only go so far. Only God can pour His healing balm into your breaking heart and help you make sense (or at least accept) what's happening. That's why you need to go to Him for your answers. But here's the flip side to directing the tough questions to God - you must be willing to accept His answer and do what He says.
The Bible says, "God has given us His promise and His oath" (He 6:18 NLT), so even if you don't get the answer you want, you can rest assured He hears you. You can also be certain of something else: the One who makes "everything.work together for good" (Ro 8:28 NLT) always sends the answer that's in your best interests. So you can trust Him!
"I'm thirsty!" John 19:28 TM
Lesson 5: Acknowledge your humanity.
Combine the torment of being crucified in the intense Judean heat with the loss of bodily fluids, and you can understand why Jesus was thirsty. However, the Bible says that when they offered Him water containing "a mild painkiller. He wouldn't take it" (Mk 15:23 TM).
Why? Because it would have dulled His senses and He wanted to stay alert. Make no mistake, Jesus could have summoned a host of angels to deliver Him. But He chose to die for our sins. He said, "No one takes My life.I give it up willingly!" (Jn 10:18 CEV).
This also explains why John wrote: "Jesus, seeing.everything had been completed" (He fulfilled every prophesy concerning His crucifixion) said "I'm thirsty!"
His next statement would be so history changing, that He wanted His voice to be loud and clear: "It is finished!"
When you're in a dark valley like Jesus was that day, it can cloud your thinking and make you lose perspective - unless you voice your needs to those around you. By acknowledging His physical thirst, Jesus reminded each of us that there are times when we're not self-sufficient; when we need help from others.
Why else would Paul write: "Bear one another's burdens, and.fulfil the law of Christ" (Gal 6:2 NASB)? David writes: "As a father has compassion on his children.the Lord remembers that we are dust" (Ps 103:13-14 NIV). God remembers we are just human - we're the ones who forget!
The bottom line is, Jesus was humble enough to acknowledge His humanity, and we need to learn to do the same.
"It is finished." John 19:30 NKJV
Lesson 6: You can add nothing to it.
In the Old Testament tabernacle there were different items of furniture, such as the table of showbread representing our need for fellowship, the lampstand representing our need for light and understanding, etc. But there were no chairs.
Why? The priests' work was never finished! He couldn't sit down. But after Jesus cried, "It is finished," He returned to heaven and sat down at the right hand of His Father - the work of redemption was complete! The Greek words for "It is finished" literally mean "paid in full." It's what folks in those days wrote across a receipt when the bill was paid in full.
Christ's death covers your every sin - from the cradle to the grave. And to offer your good works as partial payment, insults God. You can't add to a finished work! Imagine seeing a finely crafted coffee table sitting in a carpentry shop ready for delivery. You reach for a wood plane and say, "It's good, but not good enough, let me show you." The master carpenter immediately steps in and says, "No, you'll ruin it!"
Or imagine receiving a very expensive gift from a loved one. Immediately you pull out a $5 bill and say, "Here, let me help you with the cost." No, the smaller the gift the greater the offence. You're robbing the giver of his joy and the sacrifice of its worth. Listen: "This is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast" (Eph 2:8-9 NIV). Saving faith simply means trusting only in a finished work of Christ!
"Into Your hands I commit My spirit." Luke 23:46 NKJV
Lesson 7: Release it to God.
Some of the issues we struggle with seem to be never-ending; like money worries, family problems and health concerns. Even when we get a break and should be resting, we sit up anticipating the worst, wondering, "How long, Lord?"
The only way to have real peace is to commit the outcome to God. When Jesus cried, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit," it wasn't a cry of defeat or resignation. No, it was an act of trust that meant surrendering control to the Father. The atoning blood had been shed, salvation's work was finally complete.
But before Jesus could pray that prayer, He first had to pray, "Not My will, but Yours be done" (Lk22:42 NIV). In other words, "Father, I release the outcome to You!"
In Philippians 3:10 Paul wrote, "I want.to know Christ and the power that raised Him to life.to suffer and die as He did that I may be raised to life" (CEV). We all want to rule and reign with Christ some day, we just don't want to submit our will to His today. But it doesn't work like that.
Jack Hayford writes: "The charted course. always has been.'the way of the cross.' The cross not only calls us to Jesus, it also calls us to a life, to the wisdom of God's ways in all our relationships and pursuits to the pattern of Jesus in the face of our deepest struggles." So whatever you're wrestling with today, release it to God once and for all. When you do you'll experience His peace, and you won't be disappointed with the outcome.
Author: Bob Gass. Used with permission UCB The Word For Today (April 2006)Website: http://www.thewordfortoday.com.au/
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that who so ever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
If you do not know Jesus and would like to know more please write to me email: prayereflections@yahoo.com.au & I will get back to you as soon as possible.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Welcome
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Clearing The Mind
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son that who so ever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16
Uncluttering, by Patrick D. Odum
Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out, and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved (Matthew 9:17).
In anticipation of a construction project that will necessitate moving our church's food pantry, we've been doing a little cleaning at church.
Like a lot of homes -- maybe like your home, in fact -- church buildings accumulate stuff. And while some of the stuff they accumulate is important and necessary, a good portion of it is "we-might-want-to-use-this-again-sometime" stuff. We have a lot of that kind of stuff lying around, waiting for "sometime." By the look of it, some of it has been waiting since the Nixon administration.
Anyway, watching people sorting through cabinets and shelves and throwing out stuff that's no longer useful has me thinking about the old stuff that one finds lying around church buildings. Old stuff like hymn books that are no longer used, or leftover Bible class curriculum, or old sound equipment, or broken furniture.
It's got me thinking, as well, about old stuff like traditions, ways of doing things, values, and assumptions about the world around us and the community in which we live. I've been thinking about how most churches could stand to do some "uncluttering," for lack of a better word. I've been thinking how most churches need every now and again to look at all the stuff that's lying around and ask if it's worth keeping.
I wonder if that wasn't what Jesus was getting at with his "new wineskins" comment. I look at that, I look at where it's located in Matthew, and it starts to dawn on me what Jesus had in mind. He's announced to a paralyzed man that his sins are forgiven, and people are calling it blasphemy because forgiving sins is God's business. He's invited a hated, traitorous, corrupt tax collector to join his inner circle. (Imagine, for comparison, if he asked a businessman laundering drug money for the mafia.) The pious people have called him and his disciples out for not fasting. He's just about to be touched by a woman made "unclean" by her constant hemorrhage, and then he'll go on to touch an "unclean" dead body. He heals the woman and raises the dead little girl, but clearly he's giving the religious folks plenty of ammunition.
See, I think the folks that criticized Jesus for doing the things he did needed to clean out their church buildings, if you take my meaning. They had some stuff lying around that wasn't doing them or the people God called them to teach and lead and serve much good at all. They had some assumptions, traditions, and practices that were just taking up space, causing people to stumble, and getting in the way of the things that really mattered. But it was stuff that had always been there, and as far as they were concerned, always would be there. And so they left it in place and got very grumpy and impatient whenever someone tripped over it or wondered aloud if it wouldn't be better to toss it out.
It happens in churches. Stuff accumulates over the years. Oh, there's always a reason that it does, and usually it's a very good reason. At least at the beginning. Over time, though, the reason fades and what's left is the tradition, or the practice, or the assumption. I bet you can think of some stuff at your church like that. A lot of it is innocuous and harmless enough. I recently conducted an experiment at my church to try to find out why, after the servers pass the communion trays, one of them always comes back up to the front to put the lids from the grape juice trays back on the pedestals that the stacks of trays start on. The trays aren't there anymore, but someone always moves those lids. No one seems to know why, but there you are. (The best answer I got was, "I don't know: so there's room for the offering plates later?")
A lot of the old stuff that's lying around my church, and yours too, is like that. It doesn't interfere with anything, and doesn't take up much space, so why not hang on to it? And some of the old stuff is there for a really good reason, and shouldn't be thrown out unless it's for an even better reason. And some of it -- well, it's the equivalent of walls and columns and floors and ceilings in a building. It's load-bearing, and to get rid of it would be to forsake the gospel and cease being the church.
So, really, I'm not advocating throwing out old stuff without discernment, just getting rid of the clutter!
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I chose this message to reflect on & then pray with discernment that you will remove clutter from your life, mind or thinking so you can move forward in victory. I can relate because recently I moved to a smaller house & needed to sort through all our home contents & literally throw out a lot of stuff. Whilst doing so we found several items that brought back memories, some happy, some very sad & hurtful - we found that as we went through the process of uncluttering there was many tears & much healing from the past. After the move we still needed more room so we began the process again this time it was harder deciding what to keep & what to let go. We found as the large skip was driven away a release & peace of mind.
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The Last Box Out (By Roy Irwin) [Edited]
After my wife and I were married we faced the task of moving the contents from my apartment over to her condominium which would be our new home together. After several weeks of discussion and planning, the one question we kept coming back to was, "What are we going to do with Josh?"
"Josh" is my 'wondercat'. He had been born the same month that I moved to Indiana. I fell in love with him the first time I saw him and I had raised him from the time he was a kitten. For his entire life, all he had known was me and the comfort and security of our apartment that had been his home. But all that was about to change...
There was no way to communicate to him that his world was about to be turned upside down. He was going to be moving to a new home. Waiting at that home was going to be my wife's two cats...
The question about Josh was what to do with him while we were moving. We couldn't lock him up at my apartment while we were moving because there would be too many people going in and out for that to be practical. We didn't want to take him to his new home and leave him alone with his new 'brother and sister' without us being there.
Finally, it was decided that we would work around Josh. We would move the entire contents of the apartment, and then take Josh to his new home. When the move started, Josh was so excited! There were a number of dear friends who came to help us. He loved the attention everyone gave him as he came by to visit. Josh HAD to see what everyone was doing and 'help' where he could. And excellent 'help' he was - standing in doorways you were trying to walk through when your hands were full, jumping directly in front of you without warning, sitting on boxes that you were trying to move, etc...
When half the apartment was no longer there, Josh caught on that something wasn't quite right. He became withdrawn and began to leave everyone alone. The look on his face showed concern. We had told him, "No" and "Stay back" so many times, it was as if he wondered if everything was leaving except for him. Was he was going to be left behind?
I will never forget coming back to the apartment for the last time. It was completely empty except for Josh. He was sitting quietly in the far corner with his head down. He looked SO sad and it was breaking my heart. But all of that changed when I called out his name! And then he knew!
His entire countenance changed as he meowed loudly and raced across the apartment to meet me. He jumped up into my arms, nearly knocking me over. I'm certain that at that moment, he KNEW that HE was going too! He would NOT be left behind! HE was going to be the last box out! And he could not have been happier!
If only Josh had known that we had planned the entire move around him. If only he had known all the preparation we had done to get his new home ready for him - he would not have been nervous!
In much the same way, WE can be confident about where we will spend eternity! We know that Jesus Christ has already gone before us and taken care of all of the details!
In John 14:2-3 Jesus has told us that: "In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."(NIV)
Many people have comfort and security here on earth, yet they wonder or worry about what will happen to them when they die. If you have made Jesus Christ the Lord and Savior of your life there is no need to fear the future, you have the promise of spending eternity in heaven with him!
"Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for the promise that you have prepared a place in heaven for each of us. Because of this, we do not have to fear the future, but instead, can rest easy in the knowledge that you have planned ahead for us. Thank you for this peace that we can know now. Amen."
I chose this message as I could so relate we have four cats (note all strays that adopted us) that we had to plan our move around. We made our plans & had the carriers ready - however we did not expect the removalist to be early & had not quite got the cats ready. As soon as the truck pulled up one cat bolted, the second started howling & digging in claws whilst the third started trying to break out of the carrier - it was very stressful - the fourth had moved before & sat peacefully in His carrier - no problems - yet the move before he had bolted, struggled when found & tried to break free, this time he had learnt from his previous trauma - please note after the move they all settled in fine & seem to love the new home & garden. When change & trials come which cat are you like? I pray today you find peace in knowing Jesus died for you, loves you, is with you in your trials, nothing is impossible with Him, He has even prepared a place for you in heaven. Give Him your burdens today.
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May God bless you this day... then write it down!
Well, it happened yet again. I needed to make a call and reached for my cell phone only to find it wasn't where I thought it was. I checked all the usual places...my desk, the car, kitchen counter, the bathroom, by the bed. Nothing. After an hour or so, I had to turn to my last resort. I picked up another phone and called myself. Way off in another room I could hear my clever ring tone, A Beautiful Day , calling out to me. The phone was under the cushions of the sofa in my den. Don't ask.
It seems the older I get, the more things I misplace...eyeglasses, car keys, wallet, my sanity. I'm relatively satisfied I've not completely lost my mind, at least not yet. Hey, many of my friends suffer from similar experiences. I've thought perhaps with my increase in age, there has been such a huge increase in my intelligence that the brain just can't hold it all. However, recalling I'm the same person who once cut down a tree limb while standing underneath it, i've tossed that theory aside.
A good memory is a wonderful thing, but more important is the remembering. What use is a good memory that never has a purpose? But it's in the remembering that we can find purpose, renew faith, and rediscover hope.
In these days we forget so much because we have so much on our minds, so many things pulling us in so many directions. Difficulties come, stress settles in, anxiety rises. We lose focus and patience. Faith and trust fade. All because we have forgotten to remember. What can we do against this spiritual erosion that slowly wears us down? The answer is very simple.
Years ago, Moses was called to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. They witnessed plagues and water turning into blood. They were there when the angel of death passed over. They saw the Red Sea part, crossed on dry land, and watched the Egyptian army drown when the waters returned. They followed a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. When they were hungry, they had quail in the evening and manna in the morning. All these things came by the hand of God. But they forgot to remember.
Life in the wilderness was hard and in their thirst, they complained bitterly. At God's command, Moses struck a rock and water gushed out. He called the place Massah and Meribah, which mean testing and quarreling , because in their time of difficulty, the people had cried out, Is the LORD among us or not? (Exodus 17:7) Though they now had water, everything soon took an even more serious turn. They were attacked. But God had not abandoned them. With Moses holding high the staff of God, Joshua took some of the men and fought back. After a long day's battle, they finally defeated the Amalekites.What happened next gives us encouragement today.
Then the LORD said to Moses, "Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered..." (Exodus 17:14a)
Write this! Over and over in the Bible we see such words. Write this down...on stone tablets, parchment, scrolls, staffs. The Ten Commandments, the Law, the Prophecy, the covenants. The names of leaders, the history of families. Songs of praise. The ways of God and those of His Son. Time after time, God has instructed His people to write it all down as something to be remembered.
Why? Because when we don't write it down, we forget. We forget about blessings and answered prayers. We forget His promises and His presence. And soon the only thing we can remember is how hard life is. Hope fades and we cry out, "Is God with me or not?"
You want some real encouragement today? You want to recharge your faith and trust in God? You want to walk into a new day with the assurance that whatever comes, you will be able to stand because God is by your side and He will make you stand? Then begin to write it down.
Take a journal, notebook, even a scrap of paper. Think of your life, what happened years ago and what occurred yesterday. Record your blessings. Big or small, it doesn't matter. Make a list of your prayers and the answers you've received. Jot down when God did something you least expected.
And write down your complaints with Him. Yeah, that's right. He didn't abandon His people in their wilderness and He won't abandon you in yours. You think He doesn't already know how you feel? Write them down and see how He responds. The problem with the Israelites was not that they complained. Jesus walked on this earth and knows how difficult life can be. The problem was... they forgot to remember.
So do it. Make time each day or once a week, but do it. Don't rely on memories alone. And when life comes crashing in, go back and read about your Heavenly Father. He's something worth remembering.Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him. You come to the help of those who gladly do right, who remember your ways. Isaiah 64:4-5a
Take care and be God's, Chuck
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I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving." Psalm 69:30
" For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves." Colossians 1:13
" Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice." 1 Chronicles 16:10
" Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth."Psalm 96:9 " I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service." 1 Timothy 1:12
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Hear Him In Quiet Time
Your quiet time with God (Oct 10-16 2007)
"O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek You." Psalm 63:1 NIV
When you come to meet with God you should have an attitude of:
(1) Expectancy. Expect to 'give and get' from your time together. And make it a time of intimacy. It's impossible to have a love affair in a crowd or a public place; intimacy calls for being alone with the one you love. The Bible speaks about Christ as the Groom and us as His bride. Think of the anticipation and excitement shared in such moments.
(2) Reverence. Don't rush into God's presence. Prepare your heart by being still before Him and letting the quietness clear away the thoughts of the world. Remind yourself Who it is you're meeting with - God! "You are worthy...to receive glory and honour" (Rev 4:11 NIV).
(3) Alertness. Get to bed early so you'll be in good shape to meet God in the morning. He deserves your full attention. Give God the best part of your day - when you are the freshest. Follow the example of Christ: "Very early in the morning...Jesus...went off to a solitary place, where He prayed" (Mk 1:35 NIV). Hudson Taylor said, "You don't tune up the instruments after the concert is over...you tune them up before you start."
(4) Willingness. This attitude is crucial: you don't come to your quiet time to choose what you will or won't do, but with the purpose of doing anything and everything God wants you to do. Jesus said, "If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether My teaching comes from God" (Jn 7:17 NIV). So come to meet with the Lord, having already chosen to do His will no matter what!
Your quiet time with God (2) O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek You." Psalm 63:1
Stephen Olford said, "I want to hear God's voice before anyone else's in the morning. And His is the last voice I want to hear at night." David and Daniel met with the Lord three times daily (See Ps 55:17; Da 6:10). Whatever time you set, be consistent. Put it on your calendar; make an appointment with God as you would with anyone else. And keep it. Don't stand Him up!
The question is often asked, "How much time should I spend?"
Here are some guidelines:
(1) Don't start with a two-hour quiet time. You'll get discouraged. You'll create memories of failure rather than memories of success. You must grow in this relationship as you do in any other. So begin with a few minutes and let it grow.
(2) Don't clock-watch. That'll ruin your quiet time faster than anything else. Decide what you can do in God's Word and prayer during the time you've selected; then do it! Sometimes it'll take more time than you have set aside, sometimes less. But don't keep looking at your watch.
(3) Emphasise quality, not quantity. It's what you do during your quiet time - whether 15 minutes or two hours - that's important.
(4) Choose a special place. "Next morning Abraham got up and returned to the place where he had stood before the Lord" (Ge 19:27 NIV).
Your special place ought to be a place where:
(a) you can pray aloud without embarrassment;
(b) you're comfortable. (Don't have your quiet time in bed - that's too comfortable!)
As the days go by your special place will come to mean everything to you because of the wonderful times you have there with the Lord.
Your quiet time with God (3) "O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek You." Psalm 63:1
For the next few days let's deal with some 'quiet time problems.'
The problem of discipline! This is known as "the battle of the blankets." It faces you the moment you wake up. The devil will exaggerate how tired you are. And when he and your flesh team up, it's a battle to get out of bed.
So here are some tips on overcoming this problem:
(a) Go to bed on time. Too many of us stay up late watching TV, therefore we have a hard time getting up in the morning. Dawson Trotman lived by the Scripture, "Early will I seek thee." Even if he had company the night before, he would excuse himself and go to bed because his top priority was meeting with Christ each morning.
(b) Get up immediately upon waking. If you wait to think about it, you've already lost the battle. Furthermore, when you wake up in the morning it's not the time to pray about deciding to get up. If you have to pray about it, do so the night before, and pray that you'll have the willpower to do it. Plan it. Be intentional! Resolve like the Psalmist, "In the morning, O Lord, You hear my voice" (Ps 5:3 NIV).
(c) Go to bed with thoughts of Scripture. Fall asleep with the attitude of, 'See You in the morning, Lord.' Ask Him to wake you up with thoughts of Him. One of the best ways to do that is to go to sleep with a Scripture verse on your mind. "Do not let this Book...depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night" (Jos 1:8 NIV)
Your quiet time with God (4) O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek You." Psalm 63:1
You say you're not getting much out of your quiet time? Rick Warren refers to this as "the battle of the blahs." He writes: "You can never judge your quiet time by your emotions. Emotions may lie; feelings may come and go. If you only have a quiet time when you 'feel' like it, the devil will make sure you never feel like it. Some days will seem bland. On other days you'll think Heaven has opened up to you. So don't expect a glorious 'experience' every morning. Not having goose-bumps doesn't mean God is not present."
Dry spells can be caused by:
(a) Disobedience. God won't bless you beyond your last act of disobedience. And He won't reveal step two until you've taken step one.
(b) Being in a hurry. Samuel Chadwick said, "Hurry is the death of prayer." So go for quality and content, not mileage!
(c) Being in a rut. When your quiet time becomes a ritual instead of a relationship, it dies. So be flexible; change your routine, keep it interesting - for you and the Lord.
(d) Not sharing your insights with others. When we give out, we get back more in return. Share your quiet-time thoughts with others and see what happens. If you're still not getting anything out of it, tell God about it. It takes time to develop a relationship. You must learn to see God in all kinds of circumstances in order to get to know Him well. So don't give up:
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up" (Gal 6:9 NIV).
Your quiet time with God ( 5 ) "O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek You." Psalm 63:1
Once you have won "the battle of the blankets" and "the battle of the blahs," you'll have to fight "the battle of the brain." Your mind will wander off in 101 directions during your quiet time. The devil will make sure it does. You'll find yourself distracted by noises, lack of sleep, tensions with others, work, and things you 'just can't forget.'
So here are some helpful suggestions:
(1) Be sure you're thoroughly awake. Take a shower, splash cold water on your face, or do some exercise. Get the adrenalin flowing! The Psalmist writes, "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for You, O God" (Ps 42:1 NIV). A deer being pursued by a hunter has only one thing in mind; getting to the stream where its wounds can be healed, its thirst quenched, and its strength renewed.
(2) Use a memo pad. When you decide to spend time with God you'll suddenly 'remember' everything you have to do, or have left undone. So write things down as they come to you, then tell yourself, "I'll get to that later," and go back to prayer.
(3) Walk while you're praying. You won't fall asleep while standing up, so move around.
(4) Personalise the Scriptures. Pray them back to God. Since God's Word is always in line with God's will, your prayers will get answered. For example, use Psalm 23: "Lord, You are my Shepherd, therefore I shall not want for anything. Thank You for leading me in paths that are right when I don't know which way to go." This simple technique can transform your quiet time.
Your quiet time with God (6) God, you are my God, earnestly I seek You." Psalm 63:1
Nothing is more difficult to maintain than your quiet time with God. When pressures mount, what's the first thing you're tempted to drop? Satan knows if he can keep you from it he's won the battle, because he'll have no opposition from you.
Backslidden Christians will tell you, "It started when I began to neglect my quiet time with God."
"So how can I overcome this problem?" you ask.
(1) Make a covenant with God. And be serious about it: "When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it...It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfil it" (Ecc 5:4-5 NIV).
(2) Put it on your schedule. Block out time to meet with God each day, just like you plan a doctor's appointment or a business lunch. Can you imagine keeping an appointment that's more important?
(3) Be ready for the devil's excuses and attacks. To be forewarned is to be forearmed. So follow the Boy Scout motto, "Be prepared!" Dr. Robert G. Lee used to say, "If you wake up in the morning and don't meet the devil face on, it means you're headed in the same direction!"
(4) Leave your Bible open the night before at the passage you intend to read in the morning. When you wake up it will serve as a reminder to have your quiet time.
"But what if I miss a day?" Don't worry, and don't go on a guilt trip. If you miss a meal it doesn't mean you gave up eating. You simply eat a little more at the next meal, and go on from there.
Your quiet time with God (7 ) O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek You." Psalm 63:1
Psychologists say it takes up to three weeks to get familiar with a new habit; then another three weeks before it takes root. You've got to get beyond that six-week barrier!
Here's a simple formula for developing a habit:
(1) Make a strong resolution! If you begin half-heartedly you'll never succeed. The Bible says "Encourage one another daily" (Heb 3:13 NIV). So become accountable to someone. Ask them to encourage you, and to remind you of the promise you made to God.
(2) Never allow an exception. A habit is like a ball of twine: every time you drop it some of the strands unwind. So never allow 'just this once' to occur. Each act of yielding weakens your will and causes you to lose ground.
(3) Seize every opportunity to practice your new habit. Whenever you get the slightest urge to practice it, do it right then. Don't wait, use that moment to reinforce it. It doesn't hurt to overdo a new habit when you are first starting.
(4) Rely on the power of God. When all is said and done, you must realise you're in a Spiritual battle and that you can only succeed by the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. So pray that God will strengthen you. Depend on Him to help you develop the habit for His glory.Write down the following words and sign your name to the bottom of them. Then keep them before you constantly:
"Lord, I commit myself to spending a definite time with You every day, no matter what the cost. And I'm depending on You to help me to be consistent. Amen."
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Hearing from God (1) (Aug 29th- 1st Sept 2007) - "He will be our guide." Psalm 48:4 (NIV)
Jesus told His disciples, "The Spirit of truth (the Truth-giving Spirit)...will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth)" (Jn 16:13 AMP). Jesus spoke these words to men with whom He'd spent the previous three years. Now you'd think that if Jesus was with us personally for three years day and night, we'd have learned all there is to know. But Jesus said to expect more, because He will always have something to say to us about each new situation we are facing.
God wants to speak to you on a one-to-one basis. He wants to lead you step by step into the good things He has in store for you. He cares about the tiniest details of your life. Never hesitate to take what you think are small things to God; after all, everything is small to God! He even keeps track of how many hairs you have on your head (See Mt 10:30). He cares about the desires of your heart. He wants to reveal truth to you that will set you free from worry, fear, and limitation. His plan to share an intimate relationship with you existed before you were even born.
The Psalmist said, "All the days [of my life] were written before ever they took shape" (Ps 139:16 AMP). Paul said that God "determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek Him" (Acts 17:26-27 NIV).
Doesn't it stand to reason that if God plans all of our days, and where we're going to live before we're even born, that it's important for us to learn how to hear from Him
Hearing from God (2) - "Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
If you are unwilling to listen to God in one area, you'll be unable to hear from Him in other areas. People think they can't hear from God, but in reality there are a lot of things they already know He wants them to respond to, but haven't done so. The more quickly you do whatever it is the Lord tells you to do, the more quickly He reveals the next step you are to take.
Hearing from God must be developed by practice - especially if you're a talker! That's why He says, "Be still and know that I am God." Our flesh is full of energy and always wants to be active doing something, so it can be difficult for us to be still. Don't just talk to God when you want or need something; spend time with Him - listening! He'll open up many issues if you'll just be still before Him.
You say, "But I don't think I've ever heard God talk to me!" Could it be that you haven't learned to listen? When you ask God for something, it's time to tune your 'receiver.' Even if He doesn't respond at that moment, He will in due time. You may be doing some ordinary task when He decides to speak to you. But if you've honoured Him by listening as part of your fellowship with Him, He'll speak to you at exactly the right time.
Perhaps you've wasted many years going your own way. It's not too late to go in a new direction. If you are sincerely willing to obey God, He'll guide you on an exciting journey of learning to hear from Him every day of your life.
Hearing from God (3) - "His anointing teaches you concerning everything." 1 John 2:27 AMP
We need to have an attitude that says, "God, no matter what anyone else is telling me, or what I think myself, if I clearly hear You saying something to me I'm going to honour You and do what You say."If we pray diligently, hear from God, then start asking everybody else what they think, we're honouring people's opinion above God's. This attitude will prevent us from developing a relationship in which we consistently hear from Him. We need to trust God to instruct us - without needing reassurance from others:
"The anointing (the sacred appointment, the unction) which you received from Him abides [permanently] in you; [so] then you have no need that anyone should instruct you... His anointing teaches you concerning everything and is true...so you must abide in (live in, never depart from) Him" (1 Jn 2:27 AMP).
This verse isn't saying that we don't need anybody to teach us God's Word. But it does say we have God's Spirit living inside of us to guide and direct our lives. We might occasionally ask somebody for advice, but we need not go constantly to other people to ask them about decisions we're making for our lives.If we are ever going to develop the ability to hear from God and be led by His Spirit, we have to start making our own decisions - and trust the wisdom God has deposited in our heart. The devil wants us to think we're not capable of hearing from God. Don't buy it! The Holy Spirit that dwells inside you will give you confidence, comfort, and counsel for your life. So, learn to listen to Him!
Hearing from God (4) - "For the revelation awaits an appointed time".
Please go to link http://www.ucb.com.au/ Sat 1st September to read the rest of this message!~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Praying for others: How to pray for others "Grace, mercy, and peace from...Jesus Christ." 1 Timothy 1:2
Paul prayed for three things to be given to those he loved. So when you're not sure how to pray for others, what better example than this one where he asks God to give Timothy:
(1) Grace: Peter says, "God, who gives all grace, will make everything right. He will make you strong...support you and keep you from falling" (1 Pet 5:10 NCV). This word grace implies 'all of God you'll ever need to handle whatever you're facing.' That's worth praying for, isn't it?
(2) Mercy: A large publishing house has a machine that automatically mails reminders to its readers that their subscriptions have expired. One day it malfunctioned and a rancher in a remote Colorado town received 9,734 notices! So he drove for kilometres to the nearest post office, mailed in his cheque, and wrote, "Send me the magazine. I give up!" That's how it is with God; He keeps sending us notices!
The Bible says, "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness" (Lam 3:22-23 NIV).
(3) Peace: "All who listen to Me shall live in peace and safety, unafraid" (Pr 1:33 TLB). What a gift to know that God's peace can sustain you through the worst situations. And the kind of peace He gives is different from what the world offers (See Jn 14:27). At best, the world's peace gives us temporary relief;
but "the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds" (Ph 4:7 NIV).
So the next time you're praying for someone ask God to saturate them in His grace, mercy, and peace.
Written Bob Gass Ministries Used with Permission from "The Word For Today" (Aug-Nov 2007): http://www.blogger.com/ to those in Australia the devotional is available free from UCB Australia by phoning 1800 068 204.
Sunday, July 08, 2007
Come - Be Still - Listen
After much prayer I have today posted the following messages as I believe they are important to our daily walk - you will also find further messages related to these articles in the April 2006 archive - it is my prayer that you will find a message or scripture here that will minister to your situation & that you will leave here encouraged & refreshed in spirit. Be blessed today!
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Come Away to a Quiet Place (Phil Ware)
The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place (Mark 6:30-32 TNIV). [Emphasis added.]
How do you restore your energies after you have reached the spiritual exhaustion point?
What do you do when the fatigue debt has mounted so high in every dimension of your life - physical, emotional, and spiritual - that you do not think you can do one more thing?
Where do you go for renewal when plenty of sleep won't relieve the bone-weariness that pulses through every fiber of your being?
These are not hypothetical questions. You probably know that from personal experience. There is a kind of tiredness that nothing seems to relieve. This kind of exhaustion comes at the end of a long spiritual battle or from being the long-term caregiver for a loved one or from ministering to people repeatedly until you are completely depleted or from battling a long and debilitating illness or from ...
For many of us who have found ourselves in such wearisome conditions, retreat and rest are often prescribed. They are also much desired.
Yet many find such restful retreats remedy their weariness for just a short time, only to learn its return has left them feeling completely and perpetually "burned out."
Elijah's example of rest and refreshment after his exhaustion is a good one. Food and rest were not enough for Elijah to be renewed (1 Kings 19:1-7), although they were part of his healing.
What Elijah needed most, however, was to be in the presence of God. He needed to have God minister to him and speak directly to his heart (1 Kings 19:8-18). God spoke to Elijah in a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19:12) and called Elijah back into service, reminding him there were others out there still serving the LORD God (1 Kings 19:18). One of these in particular needed Elijah to prepare him to lead God's people (1 Kings 19:15-17).
Carve out some sacred space and some holy time!
I am not surprised that when Jesus saw the weariness of his apostles, the Lord not only told them to go away to a quiet place, but he also called them to be with him. Getting away wasn't enough. Resting and being alone, far away from the crowd, wouldn't rekindle the holy fire they needed to minister. No matter how restful retreat from the maddening rush may seem at the time, getting away by itself will not restore what is spent.
Only the presence of the Lord can renew, restore, revitalize, reinvigorate, and re-establish our spirits. Only the Spirit of God, the breath of heaven, can make dry bones rise again (Ezekiel 37:1-13).
Used with permission - HEARTLIGHT(R) Magazine 2007 -- http://www.heartlight.org/
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Be Still! (Kimberli J. Brackett)
One of my favorite songs has always been "Be Still and Know that He is God" by Stephen Curtis Chapman. The scripture reference (which is also one of my favorites) is taken from Psalm 46:10 - a simple yet profound verse.
I sometimes wonder which part of the verse is most desired by God - that I am still or that I know He is God. I think the answer to my own question would be that you can't have one without the other. Something to ponder anyway ...
Today, I'm adding to those two favorites a verse that my children have learned this week while memorizing Psalm 37. Verse 7 says, "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him."
I know I am drawn to both Stephen's song and these scriptures because it's so difficult for me, in my flesh, to be still. So often God says, "Be still my child," as a gentle reminder to me that I can only hear what he is asking of me, I can only see the unimaginable power He possesses, when I decide to quit talking, asking, and planning, and simply ... listen.
I don't know about you, but my heavenly Father sometimes has to go to extremes to get my attention. He decided in the last two weeks to take the "be still" part of my life into his own hands. In his infinite wisdom, the Father graciously moved our family to Noodle, TX - yes, there IS a town in Texas called Noodle...
God sometimes has to purposely remove us from what is comfortable and "normal" so He can show us how distracted and "busy" we are in this big noisy world we live in. He so desperately wants to show himself to us, to tell us he loves us, but so often we can't hear him speak words of love or see His fingerprints in our lives because we are so busy being busy. ....
God is gently calling you to be still!
BUT ... you know our God is faithful. Outside my bedroom window, He brings an incredible sunrise every morning over the pond - matter of fact it's 7:45 a.m. and I'm watching it as I type this to you. There is also a bridge and a windmill (which I love) outside the same window! Almost every day, He sends at least one roadrunner that plays on the bridge for me and my children to watch. .... He may have forgotten to put big trees in West Texas, but there are cactus and rocks and valleys and gorgeous terrain. The wind blowing on our faces reminds us of His angels that are protecting us everyday. When we sit on the rocks overlooking the valleys and hills, we hear nothing. Did you read that correctly ... we hear NOTHING.
The blessing of this is that when you PRAY in the quietness of this place you actually CAN hear God because there are no distractions.Why am I sharing "Life in Noodle, TX" with you? Because, my sweet friends, I know that you too need to be still ... I know that you too need to find a quiet place where God can show himself to you in a mighty way so you can, possibly for the first time in your life, "know that He is God."
I know that I desperately needed Him to help me be in a place of solitude so I could hear what he was asking of me as a mother and a wife and as a ministry leader. He wanted me to watch the sunrise every morning, to get into His word and lay myself face down at His throne so He could show me the path I needed to take to be in His will. I was off course ... way off course. He wanted me to see through His eyes and not my own the direction I needed to go. He wanted for me to prioritize things differently and allow Him to be the love of my life and the only guide in my journey.
God is gently calling you to be still ... can you hear him? What blessing has your Heavenly Father planned in the stillness awaiting only you? What amazing truth is almighty God going to reveal to you when you surrender your heart to the quietness of his throne?
Let him show you. You only have to "be still" and he will do the rest ... remember ... He is God.
Used with Permission: - HEARTLIGHT(R) Magazine 2007 -- http://www.heartlight.org/
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Who Can Be Still? (Rubel Shelly)
Ever feel guilty when somebody quoted this Bible verse: "Be still, and know that I am God"? (Psalm 46:10).
I'll bet you'd like nothing better than to find a quiet time today. Maybe you are even planning for it. Wonderful things can happen in times of solitude, stillness, and silence before God. But "stillness" is hard to come by and simply isn't available on some days or in certain life experiences.There's precious little time for stillness when production deadlines are close. A report is due in three hours. An inspection is in progress. If you live in a big city, there are voices and horns. There is constant motion. Shared living space has someone else's music, someone else's TV, and someone else's voice. Where do you find God in all the noise?
Then there is "noise" of a different quality altogether. Pain from illness or injury screams at you. The pressure of finding a new job or putting life together after a death takes away your tranquil sense of God. Sadness, disappointment, and loss crash over you with the roar of an angry sea. Strange as it may seem to say, the greater need for some of us may be less for stillness than to learn how to hear God's voice smack in the middle of all the noise, chaotic activity, and disorienting trouble.
"They reeled and staggered like drunken men; they were at their wits' end. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven. Let them give thanks to the Lord ..." (Psalm 107:27-31).
Do you really think ours is the first to feel this way?
Do you really think ours is the first generation of humankind to feel the pressure of noise, tension, and uncertainty? Of course it isn't. And the experience of some of those people can guide us in our times of stress.
Whoever the subjects of this ancient-but-always-modern thought (Psalm 107), they were reeling and staggering under their load. There was no serene stillness before God for them. To the contrary, they were "at their wits' end." So right in the middle of their frenzy and distress, "they cried out to the Lord in their trouble" - and God heard them.
If your life has more tumult than stillness, more crash than tranquility, God has not abandoned you. He beckons you to cry out to him, and he will show himself to you.
Amidst the noise, you will find him with you in the middle of it all.
Used with permission: - HEARTLIGHT(R) Magazine 2007 -- http://www.heartlight.org/
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Reflective Prayer: Lord it is so hard in the busyness of life to find the time & place of solitude to be with you - help me Abba to be a wise steward of my time - help me stop & find that place that is yours & mine alone - help me to stop talking - let me be still and listen - help me to know you - thank you for hearing my cry today! Amen
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Learning to Listen - (Max Lucado)
Equipped with the right tools, we can learn to listen to God. What are those tools?
Here are the ones I have found helpful:
A regular time and place. Select a slot on your schedule and a corner of your world, and claim it for God. For some it may be best to do this in the morning. Others prefer the evening Others prefer many encounters during the day. Some sit under a tree, others in the kitchen. Maybe your commute to work or your lunch break would be appropriate. Find a time and place that seems right for you.
How much time should you take? As much as you need. Value quality over length. Your time with God should last long enough for you to say what you want and for God to say what he wants.
Which leads us to a second tool you need? an open Bible.God speaks to us through his Word.
The first step in reading the Bible is to ask God to help you understand it. Before reading the Bible, pray. Don’t go to Scripture looking for your own idea; go searching for God’s. Read the Bible prayerfully. Also, read the Bible carefully.
Here is a practical point. Study the Bible a little at a time. God seems to send messages as he did his manna: one day’s portion at a time. Choose depth over quantity. Read until a verse “hits” you, then stop and meditate on it. Copy the verse onto a sheet of paper, or write it in your journal, and reflect on it several times.
Will I learn what God intends? If I listen, I will.Understanding comes a little at a time over a lifetime.
There is a third tool for having a productive time with God. Not only do we need a regular time and an open Bible, we also need a listening heart. Don’t forget the admonition from James: “The man who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and makes a habit of so doing, is not the man who hears and forgets. He puts that law into practice and he wins true happiness” (James 1:25 PHILLIPS).
We know we are listening to God when what we read in the Bible is what others see in our lives. Paul urged his readers to put into practice what they had learned from him. “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do” (Phil. 4:9 RSV).
If you want to be just like Jesus, let God have you. Spend time listening for him until you receive your lesson for the day - then apply it.
From Just Like Jesus - - UpWords from Max Lucado - Copyright (W Publishing Group, 1998, 2001)
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Reflective Thought: Armour for the Battle
Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. (NAS) 1 Peter 5:8-9"
Personal spiritual warfare is anything we do as a conscious effort to live out the kingdom of God and oppose the kingdom of Satan in our particular contexts." (Scott Morreau).
The basic secret for overcoming our enemy is simply knowing God in a vital and deepening relationship. Our focus as Christians should be on God, His power, His sovereignty, His holiness and His love. Because of Christ's victory on the cross, our standing against the enemy is possible. ...the struggle between being godly & being you. The amazing truth is that God has elevated us, spiritually, to the same exalted position Christ enjoys. God "raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus" (Eph 2:6).
As we take our stand in the victory of Christ, Satan is powerless to defeat us. No one who is wise goes into battle unprepared. Paul tells us: "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power" (Ephesians 6:10).
Immediately after beginning a relationship with Christ, a believer finds himself in a constant struggle. On earth, there are 2 kingdoms in conflict: God's Kingdom and the spiritual forces of evil (Ephesians 6:10-12). It is not a question of which Kingdom is stronger. Jesus is the stronger who has bound Satan (Luke 11:14-22). Because of Christ's victory on the cross, our standing against the enemy is possible.
So what's the struggle? Basically it's the struggle between being godly and being you. Paul says "be strong." The word "strong" means to empower. It comes from the root word "dunamis" which is where we get our word "dynamite". So it is dynamite like power. But, you cannot be strong in yourself. The strength come from God and His power.
Paul continues to write: "Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:11-12).
The verb tense of "put on" means that it is a command to begin at this very moment. Right now, not later! Put on the whole armor or God, not just bits and pieces, but the full armor of God! The phrase, "Take your stand" implies that not everyone does take a stand. Often, the very fact that you are willing to stand while everyone else is falling away, draws the attention of others and makes them seek out your secret.
HINT: The secret is your relationship with Jesus Christ.
So, are you STANDING? Are you EVEN in the Battle? Whose strength are you fighting IN?
Your own strength or GOD'S? Everything aims at our ability to stand. . .refuse to yield ground. . .sometimes all you can do is stand! And you will "win" if you stand! But, expect an active battle as you stand. "You can always measure the weight of your blow by the one you get back." (from a missionary in New Guinea)
Written by Marji "Mike" Kruger - Anchor Your Life: Devotions - http://www.anchoryourlife.com
Friday, May 25, 2007
Affirmations
Due to many prayer requests I have once again added some old & some new affirmations below to use daily -
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The Power of Words:
There are so many people in the world that are capable of doing the Lord's work, but they have a problem with discouragement. This is the enemy's number one weapon and he is more successful with it then you may think. You would not believe the attacks and numerous times satan tried to discourage my heart to do what the Lord put in my spirit to do. My mouth is what kept me victorious and that is what I want to share with you today.
Our mouth is the most powerful weapon we can use when fighting spiritual battles, but it isn't in our own strength that we are victorious but in the Lord's. The Bible says that life and death are in the power of the tongue and we shall eat the fruit thereof (Proverbs 18:21).
Always be quick to speak words of life, blessing and prosperity. When life gets tough and you start speaking negative words, eventually that problem will get worse because you are giving the enemy the authority to stick around.
The enemy comes to us slowly and tries to plant a thought in our mind and then sits back to see where we will go with it. It is then up to us to accept it and pursue that thought or cast it down and speak words of authority over the devil.
You do have control over your mind and are completely capable to defeat satan and the plans he has for you.
If you have been washed by the blood of the Lamb and have opened your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ, then the devil has no business hanging around you. You must renew your mind and realize that satan must flee when he's commanded to in the name of Jesus Christ. (Mark 16:17)
I want you to do something that I believe will help you understand that you do have control over your mind and the things that enter it. I will give you a sentence that I want you to repeat in your mind 4 times and when you are repeating this the 4th time I want you to start counting to ten out loud.
Are You Ready?
Repeat in your Mind this sentence: Nothing is working right and I should just give up.
Repeat again
Repeat again
Repeat again
Now start counting Out Loud --- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Ok. What happened when you started counting out loud? The thought that was being repeated in your mind stopped the second you opened your mouth and started counting the numbers.
Every time the enemy comes with words of discouragement and defeat, we are to stand strong and speak the scriptures. In 2 Corinthians 10:5 the Bible declares "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." Every thought that is not of God, we are to bring into our control and overcome it by speaking words of life and not death. (Deuteronomy 30:19)
The second the devil gives you a thought of discouragement or to quit a certain task the Lord has given you, you should be quick to speak words of authority using the scriptures.
Examples:
You are to weak to handle this situation; you are to open your mouth and say " I am strong in the Lord and in the power of His might" (Ephesians 6:10).
"I will overcome every obstacle with the help of the Lord and nothing shall overtake me." (Deut 28:1-3)
You are not smart enough to handle this problem; open your mouth and say "God will give me all wisdom to handle any situation" (James 1:5).
You are not going to beat the cancer; you are to open your mouth and say "By His stripes I am healed" (Isaiah 53:5).You will never be able to pay all your bills; open your mouth and say "God will meet all my needs according to His Riches and Glory. I will lend and not borrow and the Lord will make me the head and not the tail" (Deuteronomy 28:12-13).
You will never see your children and grandchildren get saved; open your mouth and say. "Me and my household will be saved in the name of Jesus" (Acts 16:31).
I have written these things to you for one reason. I want you to be encouraged to do all that the Lord has put in your heart to do. Never think that you are not good enough or do not have the skills to do the work of the Lord. The Holy Spirit will put in your heart every step that you need to take so don't worry about that.
Jesus says in Matthew 10:19-20 "But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you." KJV
I encourage you to search Gods Word and write down all the scriptures that are relevant to the problem or situation you are going through. The devil is not afraid of you but he is terrified of Gods Word and must obey when commanded to in the name above all names, Jesus Christ.
Remember This: Jesus doesn't call the qualified; He qualifies the called
In Christ Service, Dwayne Savaya Gods Work Ministry
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Reflection: Lest We Forget:
Always remember: The enemy wants to block your path. If he can tempt and divert you from your course, he can stop you from entering into the full portion (inheritance) that God has for you. He will develop strategies against you to bring deception and then division. He develops ways to accuse you so he can hold you in condemnation. He wants to block your supply, discourage you, stop you praying & praising. Do not be ignorant of his wiles.
Tear down mindsets of poverty. Poverty has a voice which says, "God is not able." Dismantle unbelief over provision. "Prove Me NOW," says the Lord! Look up and see the windows of blessings that He wants to open up. Watch Him overcome your devourer.
God says: I will supply all your needs Philippians 4:19
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Francis Frangipane: "TAKE UP THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT--THE WORD OF GOD--AND GO TO WAR!"
"If we advance protected by the Blood of the Lamb, if we war armed with the Word of God, and if we shoulder in our hearts the Cross of Christ, we will truly be more than conquerors through Him that loved us."
Christ not only came to set captives free, He came to train and empower the recently freed to be warriors. We may not always walk perfectly, but because God causes all things to work for good, we still can walk triumphantly. How can we, imperfect Christians, walk triumphantly?
The Bible says we overcome "because of the Blood of the Lamb and because of the word of [our] testimony, and [we do] not love [our lives] even when faced with death" (Revelation 12:11).
These three things--Christ's atoning blood, our testimony of God's eternal word, and choosing to not love our own lives--secure us in the place of victory. We are a covenant people, a people purchased for God from every nation. Yes, we still sin, but God has placed the iniquity of us all upon His Son, Jesus Christ (Isaiah 53). When the enemy comes to accuse and condemn us for our failures, we must remind ourselves that every sin we have ever committed has been nailed to Christ's cross. The entire "certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us," has been paid in full by the Blood of Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:14)!
As much as we need the blood of Christ, to functionalize our victory, we also need a living knowledge of God's Word. Many Christians are awakened spiritually, but they do not know God's promises in the Bible. To be successful, we must know God's Word, believe it, and speak it with faith when we pray. We overcome by the "word of our testimony."
Third, in our world of excess and self-gratification, we must learn the wisdom and power of carrying the Cross ("they did not love their life"). By becoming true disciples of Jesus Christ, the Cross keeps us focused on our transformation. It also keeps us from the quicksand of self-pity, gratuitous over-indulgence, and unforgiveness.
To aid your fight of faith, we've prepared a brief collection of Scriptures.
Remember, God's Word will not return to Him without accomplishing the purpose for which He sent it (Isaiah 55:11). Let us, therefore, "hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful" (Hebrews 10:23).
Don't murmur when you pray, proclaim the Word of God with authority. Indeed, the Holy Spirit tells us to take up "the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God" (Ephesians 6:17). If we advance protected by the Blood of the Lamb, if we war armed with the Word of God, and if we shoulder in our hearts the Cross of Christ, we will truly be "more than conquerors through Him that loved us" (Romans 8:37).
The following are just a few of the many mighty promises of God. We urge you to print these verses, memorize them and pass them on to your friends and fellow intercessors.
Spiritual Warfare Verses
"Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven: and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in Heaven" (Matthew 18:18).
"The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil" (1 John 3:8).
"'No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; and every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their vindication is from Me,' declares the LORD" (Isaiah 54:17).
(Isaiah 42:13, 1 John 4:4, James 4:7, Matthew 28:19-20, Matthew 16:18, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, Luke 10:19, 2 Corinthians 2:14, Isaiah 49:24-25)
Divine Shelter of God
"For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the Kingdom of His beloved Son" (Colossians 1:13).
"The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold" (Psalm 18:2). (1 John 5:18, Psalm 91:1, Romans 8:28)
Fear
"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear" (1 John 4:18). "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me" (Psalm 23:4). (2 Kings 6:16, Hebrews 2:14, Hebrews 2:14-15)
Deliverance, Forgiveness and Salvation
"He will again have compassion on us; He will tread our iniquities under foot. Yes, You will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea" (Micah 7:19)."If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). (Isaiah 53:5, Psalm 32:7, Psalm 91:3, Hebrews 7:25, Romans 8:34, Luke 4:17-19)
Peace
"Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10)."In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You alone, O LORD, make me to dwell in safety" (Psalm 4:8). (Romans 16:20, Philippians 1:28, Psalm 110:1)
The Power of the New Covenant
"And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death" (Revelation 12:11). (Colossians 2:13-14, Matthew 26:26-28, Zechariah 9:11-12)
Healing
"But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5). (Hebrews 13:8, Matthew 4:24, Isaiah 53:4)
Family
"For I will contend with the one who contends with you, and I will save your sons" (Isaiah 49:25).(Acts 2:17, Acts 16:31)
Discernment
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly" (John 10:10). (1 Corinthians 2:15, Ephesians 6:10-18)
We hope these Scriptures will be a blessing and an empowerment to you. Francis Frangipane - Ministries of Francis Frangipane - Email:francis1@frangipane.org - Permission is granted (and you are also encouraged) to reprint this article We ask only that you keep ElijahList website, email contact info, and author contact information intact. http://www.blogger.com/ - email: info@elijahlist.net
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Affirmations: (Author Unknown - Scriptures from Bible - God's Word)
Having problems & cant cope? Then search Gods Word and write down all the scriptures that are relevant to your situation. The devil is not afraid of you but he is scared of Gods Word. The second you feel overwhelmed you should be quick to speak with authority using the scriptures.
Note in the scripture when Jesus responded to the devil He said, "It is written..." (Mathew 4:1-11)
For all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God has a positive answer for each one ... Speak out daily:
Please find some useful scriptures to use below:
You are to weak to handle this - you are to say " I am strong in the Lord and in the power of His might" (Ephes 6:10). "I will overcome every obstacle with the help of the Lord and nothing shall overtake me." (Deut 28:1-3)You are not smart enough to handle this - say "God will give me all wisdom to handle any situation" (James 1:5).
You will never see your children and grandchildren get saved; say. "Me and my household will be saved in the name of Jesus" (Acts 16:31).
You will never be able to pay all your bills; say "God will meet all my needs according to His Riches and Glory. I will lend and not borrow and the Lord will make me the head and not the tail" (Deut 28:12-13).
You are not going to beat the sickness or infirmity; you are to open your mouth and say "By His stripes I am healed" (Isaiah 53:5).
You say: "It's impossible" - God says: All things are possible (Luke 18:27)
You say: "I'm too tired" - God says: I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30)
You say: "Nobody really loves me" - God says: I love you (John 3:16 & John 13:34)
You say: "I can't go on" - God says: My grace is sufficient (II Cor 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)
You say: "I can't figure things out" - God says: I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6)
You say: "I can't do it" - God says: you can do all things (Philippians 4:13)
You say: "I'm not able" - God says: I am able (II Cor 9:8)
You say "It's not worth it" - God says: It will be worth it (Romans 8:28)
You say: "I can't forgive myself" - God says: I FORGIVE YOU (I John 1:9 & Rom 8:1)
You say: "I can't manage" - God says: I will supply all your needs (Philippians 4:19)
You say: "I'm afraid" - God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7)
You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated" - God says: Cast all your cares on ME (I Pet 5:7)
You say: I'm not smart enough" - God says: I give you wisdom (I Cor 1:30)
You say: I feel all alone" - God says: I will never leave you or forsake you (Heb 13:5)
"Never Again" List (Author Unknown)
Never again will I confess "I can't," for "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13).
Never again will I confess unmet needs or poverty, for "My God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory" (Philippians 4:19).
Never again will I confess fear, for "God hath not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" 2 Timothy 1:17).
Never again will I confess doubt or lack of faith, for "God has given to every man the measure of faith" (Romans 12:13).
Never again will I confess weakness, for "The Lord is the strength of my life" (Psalm 27:1). Also . . . "for the joy of the Lord is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10).
Never again will I confess supremacy of Satan over my life, for "Greater is He that is within me than he that is in the world" 2 John 4:4).
Never again will I confess defeat, for "God always causes me to triumph in Christ Jesus" 2 Cor 2:14).
Never again will I confess lack of wisdom, for "Christ is made unto me wisdom from God" (I Cor 1:30).
Never again will I confess sickness, for " . . with His stripes I am healed" (Isai 53:5). And "Jesus Himself took my infirmities and bore my sicknesses" (Matthew 8:17).
Never again will I confess worries and frustrations, for I am "Casting all my cares upon Him who cares for me" (I Peter 5:7).
Never again will I confess bondage, for "where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty" (2 Cor 3:17). Never again will I confess condemnation, for "There is now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1).
Finding life impossible - It is written: Nothing is impossible with God - He will never forsake you - They that wait upon the Lord shall be refreshed & strengthened - The battle is the Lords & with Him on our side we will win.
Battle weary: It is written: "The LORD will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven." Deut 28:7 NIV
Lost direction: It is written: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Feeling defeated: It is written: "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord." Isaiah 54:17.
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Reflective Thought:
Know your enemy. Your real enemy is the devil. Your enemy is not people. People are simply the instruments, simply the tools of the devil. It tells us in Ephesians 6:12, "We war not against flesh and blood." Recognize who the enemy really is and charge him with the Word and with faith-filled words.
Obey the Word of God. It is not enough just to hear it, we must obey. Sometimes obedience to God means there will be a good fight. We have to fight to get anything that is worth having. Don't just read the Word, obey what God is instructing you to do to get your breakthrough.
Keep standing. What do you do if you prayed and obeyed and you have not experienced breakthrough? The Word of God tells us we are more than conquerors. We are to fight the good fight of faith, perceiving and expecting the God of the breakthrough to come through. Having done all to stand, STAND!
Yesterday's failure can become today's success. Tragedies can become triumphs. You can change the direction of your life. The secret is to see your breakthrough. Perceive it and see it clearly. God is a God of breakthrough, and He can bring the breakthrough in your life today. Trust Him.
Let us say, " I am strong in the Lord and in the power of His might" (Ephesians 6:10). "I will overcome every obstacle with the help of the Lord and nothing shall overtake me." (Deut 28)
Questioning what to do! Proverbs 3: 5-6 says "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."
God left us at least three powerful promises:
1. "I am with you always to the end of the world." Math 28:20
2. "He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, but ... will also provide a way out, so that you can stand up under it." 1 Corinthians 10:13
3. "If you ask for bread, He will not give you a stone. If you ask for a fish He will not give you a snake." Matthew 7:9-10
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Dwell on Goodness of God:
Dwell on Goodness of God:
Deut. 28:7 “The Lord will conquer your enemies when they attack you. They will attack you from one direction, but they will scatter from you in seven! “
Proverbs 6:31 “But if the thief is caught, he must pay seven fold as much as he stole…”
I may be wrong about this but I don’t think that I complain much or ever tell you about my bad days. I don’t because I usually don’t dwell on the things that make a bad day bad. That helps make a bad day better.
I usually dwell on the goodness of God and how that has impacted my life. I think about those things of real value and then I think of things in the light of God’s big picture – eternity and His eternal purposes. That makes any big problem immediately seem small and less significant.
On top of that, complaining glorifies the devil’s efforts. I won’t do that. I never let the devil get away with any attack he has brought against my life. The Apostle Paul taught us that “we don’t fight flesh and blood” – in other words, people are not our problem or enemy.
He taught us that there are spiritual forces that work to “kill, steal, and destroy.” Granted people are used by Satan to hurt one another at times but they are still demonic forces that try to hurt us, discourage us, and convince us that God is not real or does not care. That is a lie. He does.
Consequently, when I am attacked, I identify what it is that the enemy has done, I declare him caught, I identify him as the thief, and then I bring it to the Lord.
Why? Because of a very special promise that I remind God of – today’s Fresh Manna verse: “The Lord will conquer your enemies when they attack you. They will attack you from one direction, but they will scatter from you in seven! “
You may not know this about me but I love to do gardening – flower gardens. It is a place where I can get quiet with the Lord and wind down from working with people all day. I love to have a part in making things grow. Planting a garden is probably like painting on canvas to a painter. I put a variety of things in place in the garden. I nurture them, and over time, they spring into a beautiful flower garden.
This year our weather warmed up early. I was able to do my spring clean up in April. Then the weather stayed warm so I took a risk and planted it early. I actually had it mostly planted by the end of April. By May this year, it already almost looked like a summer garden. I had a broad mix of perennials and annuals. I invest a fair amount of money in building my garden as it’s a delight to Renee and I and one of the few hobbies that I spend money on.
Yesterday, we had a hard storm pass through. There were tornados in the area and we had hard hail and rain hit. It stripped many of the leaves from the trees. It also stripped the plants in the garden and every plant I had in a planter. I had beautiful towering geraniums three feet high with full blooms. It stripped them down to nothing. It stripped my beautiful blooming garden to the ground. Our streets were flooded. Part of one garden area was under water. Everything was a mess. I worked in three feet of water for an hour trying to clean the street sewers from debris so the streets would clear from flooding rain. I succeeded and the flood waters drained. Then I spend four hours just trying to rake the debris from the garden areas while trying also to not cry. A months worth of labor working many evenings and a significant investment in my garden and just been stolen.
I fell into bed last night exhausted. I fell asleep and began to dream. I had a horrible dream that Renee had died in this storm. Throughout the dream, I’d be walking but without her. Instead I’d be thinking about how much I missed her. It was such a sad dream. After what felt like a full night of this dream, I half woke up. I reached out for Renee but she wasn’t there. I fell back a sleep and dreamed more of the same. Then this morning I woke up and reached for her again. She wasn’t’ there but I realized she was next door at my daughter’s house. She’d been babysitting the grandchildren this week while my daughter and son-in-law were on vacation. When I realized this I was so happy!
I got up and looked out the window at my yard and garden. It is still devastated, but, it seems much smaller and less significant after my dream of Renee dying. I am so glad I have her. The garden I can replant. The time and money I’ve lost is not lost. I have turned it over to the Lord. I never let the devil steal even a nickel from me. What God has blessed me with is mine to use and to be a blessing. I will not let the devil steal from me.
What do I do about it? I turn it over to the Lord.
“Heavenly Father, Satan the thief has attacked our lives and he has no legal right to do so because Renee and I are children of God. I have prayed for your protection over this household and the enemy has violated that. I turn Him over to you. You said, you would “…conquer my enemies when they attack me.” You said, “Though they will attack you from one direction, but they will scatter from you in seven!” You said that “if the thief is found, he shall restore sevenfold…” I thank you for a sevenfold return on what the enemy has stolen and lay hold of that promise by faith today. Thank you for watching over us and the promise of your word in Jesus name. Praise God I have my wife. Praise God I will have my sevenfold return!
Used with permission: Pastor Tim Burt - http://www.freshmanna.org
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Reflective Thought: It’s a Jungle Out There - by Max Lucado (Week of May 25, 2007)
The story is told of a man on an African safari deep in the jungle. The guide before him had a machete and was whacking away the tall weeds and thick underbrush. The traveler, wearied and hot, asked in frustration, “Where are we? Do you know where you are taking me? Where is the path?!” The seasoned guide stopped and looked back at the man and replied, “I am the path.”
We ask the same questions, don’t we? We ask God, “Where are you taking me? Where is the path?” And he, like the guide, doesn’t tell us. Oh, he may give us a hint or two, but that’s all. If he did, would we understand? Would we comprehend our location?
No, like the traveler, we are unacquainted with this jungle. So rather than give us an answer,
Jesus gives us a far greater gift. He gives us himself.
Does he remove the jungle? No, the vegetation is still thick.Does he purge the predators? No, danger still lurks.
Jesus doesn’t give hope by changing the jungle; he restores our hope by giving us himself. And he has promised to stay until the very end. “I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt. 28:20 NIV).
We need that reminder. We all need that reminder. For all of us need hope.
Some of you don’t need it right now. Your jungle has become a meadow and your journey a delight. If such is the case, congratulations. But remember???we do not know what tomorrow holds. We do not know where this road will lead. You may be one turn from a cemetery, from a hospital bed, from an empty house. You may be a bend in the road from a jungle.
And though you don’t need your hope restored today, you may tomorrow. And you need to know to whom to turn.
Or perhaps you do need hope today. You know you were not made for this place. You know you are not equipped. You want someone to lead you out. If so, call out for your Shepherd. He knows your voice. And he’s just waiting for your request.
Upwords From Max Lucado Dev www.crosswalkmail.com - From Traveling Light Copyright (W Publishing Group, 2001) Max Lucado
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Psalm 66:20 Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.
Think of it! God is actually waiting to hear from us. It's not that God doesn't have other things to do, but that there is nothing He'd rather do than spend time with the children He loves.
It boggles the mind to realize that God loves us that much. He has made us to be like Him, and He anxiously awaits our call. Offer your prayers to God. He will hear them, and He will send His mercy upon them.
Prayer: Hear me, O God. Though I may have nothing of much importance to say to You, I need to know that You will listen to me and respond. I love You, Lord. Amen.Wisdom of the Psalms Devotional - May 25th 2007 - www.crosswalkmail.com
Saturday, February 24, 2007
SHAKE THE DIRT OFF
II Timothy 4:16-17 "All men forsook me ... but the Lord stood with me and strengthened me."
I chose this message as it not only an old story with a good ending - it illustrates that no matter how bleak our situation we need to keep trusting God - God is not like the farmer - He never fails us - sometimes life feels as though we are trully deserted - which is not so with God - Rom 8:28
SHAKE THE DIRT OFF (Author Unknown)
One day a farmers donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally he decided the animal was old and the well needed to be covered up anyway, it just was not worth it to retrieve the donkey.
He invited all his neighbours to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well.
Realizing what was happening, the donkey cried horribly.Then, to everyones amazement, he quieted down. A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well and was astonished at what he saw.
With every shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up. As the farmers neighbours continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up.
Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and trotted off!
Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt.The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a stepping-stone.
We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up!
Shake it off and take a step up!
Remember the simple rules to be happy.
Follow Gods principles:
1. Free your heart from hatred - Forgive
2. Free your mind from worries - Cast your burdens upon Him
3. Live fully - Help others
4. Live joyfully - Remember God Loves You
5. Live with purpose - Keep focus on Jesus