Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

God, Please Remember Me

Psalm 38

A psalm of David, asking God to remember him.

Many of my readers or followers on Twitter know that I am a musician. Music brings healing to me during so many hard times in my life. Did you know that worship music often comes straight from the Bible?  The more I read and study the Bible, the more I catch those references when listening to music. Often when I get stuck not finding the right words to pray (as I am not one who is good with words), I search out a good song to help me get started with my prayer to God.

King David, who had his share of troubles in life, was a man after God's heart. And he was a musician and for me I can so relate to his Psalms because of his genuine openness about his failures. Below is Psalm 38 where David is crying out to God for help.  I can relate to David in so many ways - I've made such bad choices, have hard decisions to make, want so desperately to please God, and fall short over and over again, oh yeah, did I mention he was a musician.

My point, is that when we need to pray and can't find the words, it's OK to look to other sources for help - the Bible for scripture, worship music, printed prayers, or just ask the Holy Spirit to pray for you on your behalf.

Psalm 38
1 O Lord, don’t rebuke me in your anger
    or discipline me in your rage!
2 Your arrows have struck deep,
    and your blows are crushing me.
3 Because of your anger, my whole body is sick;
    my health is broken because of my sins.
4 My guilt overwhelms me—
    it is a burden too heavy to bear.
5 My wounds fester and stink
    because of my foolish sins.
6 I am bent over and racked with pain.
    All day long I walk around filled with grief.
7 A raging fever burns within me,
    and my health is broken.
8 I am exhausted and completely crushed.
    My groans come from an anguished heart.
9 You know what I long for, Lord;
    you hear my every sigh.
10 My heart beats wildly, my strength fails,
    and I am going blind.
11 My loved ones and friends stay away, fearing my disease.
    Even my own family stands at a distance.
12 Meanwhile, my enemies lay traps to kill me.
    Those who wish me harm make plans to ruin me.
    All day long they plan their treachery.
13 But I am deaf to all their threats.
    I am silent before them as one who cannot speak.
14 I choose to hear nothing,
    and I make no reply.
15 For I am waiting for you, O Lord.
    You must answer for me, O Lord my God.
16 I prayed, “Don’t let my enemies gloat over me
    or rejoice at my downfall.”
17 I am on the verge of collapse,
    facing constant pain.
18 But I confess my sins;
    I am deeply sorry for what I have done.
19 I have many aggressive enemies;
    they hate me without reason.
20 They repay me evil for good
    and oppose me for pursuing good.
21 Do not abandon me, O Lord.
    Do not stand at a distance, my God.
22 Come quickly to help me,
    O Lord my savior.


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Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Where Are Our Manners?

Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. James 5:13

When we face crisis in our lives we often turn to prayer. Sadly, prayer is often used as a last act when all efforts have been exhausted and failed. Even though scripture encourages us to call upon God first, our human tendency is to try and solve it first rather than consider God's invitation for us to pray.

And likewise, when things are going well, we tend to forget about God and not give praise and thanksgiving to the one who really is in control of our lives. He promises assistance to those who call on His name - so why don't we say "Thank YOU" to the living God?

Regardless of the problems in our lives, we must lay them at the cross and trust He will transform it into a blessing. And then me must not forget to use our manners and say "Thank You"!


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Sunday, June 4, 2017

Compassionate and Merciful is the Lord

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. Psalm 103:8, 11-12

We pray often for family and loved ones, and those who are sick and coworkers, and the homeless, etc. But do we stop to pray just about God?

King David in the Psalms praises God. He praises His love, and character and his slowness in anger and lots more. He thanked God and was grateful. When was the last time we did that? I am very guilty of starting my prayers with a small sentence of praise but then jump right into my needs.

Let's follow David's example today and express gratitude to God without asking for a single thing!

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Tuesday, April 25, 2017

I Lift My Eyes to the Hills

Psalm 121:1-2  

A Song of Ascents. I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.









It's normal to feel helpless in life. It's because we are not in control and as a people we want control.  I can attest to this as I am a control freak! And yes we have free will to make our own choices and they do have consequences but in reality, God is in control. And so why do I try and "control" situations.  How silly of me to think I know God's plan and that I can do better.










And so when I need help, instead of trying to figure everything out on my own, I do as the Psalmist wrote and I lift my eyes to the hill because that is where my help will come from.










This weekend in my son's Sunday School class the teacher asked the kids "Why is it so hard to trust God?" (I was helping which is why I know what was said). And one smart kiddo answered, "Because I can't see him." Boy, did that little child state the obvious.  But I contend that he was seeing life through a child's set of eyes.  I can see God's love and provision in so many ways.  But I can see it because I am looking for it.  And so we must train ourselves to not only let God be in control but also to recognize His hand upon situations.  That is why we pray yes?  As we grow in faith and maturity, we begin will begin to see God's hand in life. And for those things that don't make sense, we get to ask him later.  How wonderful that life will not go unresolved.








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Thursday, April 13, 2017

Unanswered Prayer


Unanswered - from Our Daily bread

— by Anne Cetas

One of my biggest struggles is unanswered prayer. Maybe you can relate. You ask God to rescue a friend from addiction, to grant salvation to a loved one, to heal a sick child, to mend a relationship. All these things you think must be God’s will. For years you pray. But you hear nothing back from Him and you see no results.
You remind the Lord that He’s powerful. That your request is a good thing. You plead. You wait. You doubt—maybe He doesn’t hear you, or maybe He isn’t so powerful after all. You quit asking—for days or months. You feel guilty about doubting. You remember that God wants you to take your needs to Him, and you tell Him your requests again.
We may sometimes feel we’re like the persistent widow in Jesus’ parable recorded in Luke 18. She keeps coming to the judge, badgering him and trying to wear him down so he’ll give in. But we know that God is kinder and more powerful than the judge in the parable. We trust Him, for He is good and wise and sovereign. We remember that Jesus said we “always ought to pray and not lose heart” (v.1).
So we ask Him, “Summon Your power, O God; show us Your strength, O God, as You have done before” (Ps. 68:28 NIV). And then we trust Him . . . and wait.
Pray on, then, child of God, pray on;
This is your duty and your task.
To God the answering belongs;
Yours is the simpler part—to ask. —Chisholm
Delay is not denial so keep praying.



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Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Pray Continuously..and Listen

Pray Continuously 1 Thessalonians 5:17

I know how hard it is to "make time" to pray but the more I find that time, the more I find my life complete. I stop the searching for that "something" that I just need. Because that something is Jesus.

What is my motive for prayer you ask? Well, it's not to tell him all my burdens (but I do that too), because he already knows. Rather, my motive is to listen to Him and hear what He wants for my life. If we had all the answers, I don't think we would be in recovery for an addiction, right?

The more I pray, the more I see God in my life.  Because again, prayer is listening.  And listening is not always with our ears. We have to listen with our hearts, minds, souls (well, OK and yes ears too).

I find myself guilty of praying less when life is going well.  But then it comes crashing down and I remember I wasn't listening to Him.  And there are many times I have realized if I had been praying I would not have made those mistakes.  Or I would have reached out to someone in need? Why am I so hard headed sometimes?!?

So today, I pray. I'm off to go swimming and I must say it's a time of complete pray (and no I am not saying Lord,, please don't let me drown). But in that time of exercise I quiet my mind and pray for me and those I know.  Try and listen to him today! You can fit in prayer in to your day anywhere and anytime.


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Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Pray..Regardless of Your Situation

When my life was ebbing away, I remembered You, Lord, and my prayer rose to You, to your holy temple. Jonah 2:7

Life is so uncertain. People are so unreliable. But if there is one thing in life I know for certain is that I can always rely on my God. I can always cry out to Him when I'm at my darkest point and he will not turn His back on me. He WILL lift me up and sustain me.

"Many people deny themselves the privilege of the peace of God, simply because they feel too undeserving to talk to God." (from Grace for each Moment").  And those in recovery are notorious for telling themselves this and believing it.  But it is such a falsehood.  Jesus came for sinners.  Yes he came for everyone but he focused his ministry on those who were sick.  And I'm not just talking physically sick.

Jesus promised that he will not cast anyone out because of what they have done. Even if you feel unworthy of Him and His love, there is no better time than to reach out to Him.  He literally is waiting for you to hold out your hand. His hand is already extended to you. Go ahead and reach out and hold on to Him. Our Jesus will not let go of you.


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Monday, April 10, 2017

Prayer IS a discipline

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.  Phillipians 4:6

To quote Grace For Each Moment, "A relationship of prayer is a process that is established and strengthened over many years." By having a life where we acknowledge the living Christ, we are constantly in the process of knowing God. And then our lives become meaningful.

When we pray, we need to bring to Him our lives. He already knows it anyway but HE still wants to hear it from us.  BUT, prayer also involves listening.  And it's the listening that is so hard for us. It requires us to quiet our hearts and minds and be WITH Him in those moments. Please don't think that you are going to hear God telling you all the answers.  He WILL answer your prayers. Most often in ways we never imagined and always for our benefit but not always in our timing.

Walk with Him today. Each time something happens today that is a blessing, say Thank You Lord. Each time you desire help, ask Him for it. Each time you don't know what to do in a situation, as Him for guidance.  These are prayers.  They don't need to be elaborate.  But as times goes on, your prayer life will become something that is natural to you and you will desire more of it.

And one more thing, you don't have to pray with your eyes closed.  So it's OK to go on a walk and pray. Or while you are driving, have that conversation with Him.  Just talk with Him. He IS waiting!


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Sunday, April 9, 2017

Take Time

None of us lives to himself alone. Romans 14:7


We always find time to do the things we want to do, but are quick to fins excuses for kinda skipping the things we don't want to do or that we should be doing.  Let's face it..we as a human being are a self-gratifing creature. It feels good to do those fun things but laborious to do things that we ought to do.
This happens in our spiritual lives as well for many reasons.

It's so easy to make excuses as to why we don't take time to pray. And reading the Bible? That's even longer yet. What about attending a 12 step meeting for our recovery? Instead of beating ourselves up over it, it's time to ask why.

Why do we want to have a relationship with Christ but not put in the time? Why is our faith a burden rather than something that shines? Why should taking care of ourselves and our spiritual needs come last?

This happens when we no longer reach out to God. And that often happens when we feel we are no longer in crisis. True time spent with God and in spiritual self-care will deepen our relationship with our Savior creating the desire to live as He wants us to. Our sobriety will continue and our desire to remain sober will increase.

This is a short devotional on purpose today. Stop and take time to say a prayer.  I am.


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Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Lord, Transform My Mind


Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]. —Romans 12:2
Last week, my son was getting ready for school and as he was rushing around trying to remember to get his teeth brushed, and shoes on and lunch put into his backpack, it just seemed like he was lost. He turned to me and looked me squarely in the eyes and said (albeit a little grumpily too), "Mom, I'm losing my mind!"  And then he returned to his tasks in the same haphazard fashion.

It made me chuckle but then I thought about it a little.  Aren't we running around this earth doing the same thing?  Aren't we just trying to get things "done" like he was before he missed his bus. Perhaps, we need to stop and pray the verse from Romans 12:2; Lord, renew my mind. Put in a new attitude about life in me.  Put your ideas in my mind - not my ideas.  My ideas always fall short.  Isn't that why I got into the mess I did?  So today, I take a lesson from my son.  We can learn so much from our children.
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Sunday, March 26, 2017

Our Father's World - from Our Daily Bread


Our Father’s World - from our Daily Bread

— by Marvin Williams

When Amanda Benavides was a sophomore at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, California, she began to rethink her views on Christian stewardship of the earth. Amanda had grown up thinking that being conscious of the environment had nothing to do with her relationship with Jesus. All this changed when she was challenged to consider the Christian’s role in caring for the planet—especially how that relates to reaching the most needy in the world.
Our stewardship of the beautiful world God gave us, and our care for the people in it, express our reverence for God and is grounded in two biblical principles.
First, the earth belongs to God (Ps. 24:1-2). The psalmist praised the Lord for His creation and His ownership of it. The heavens, the earth, and all that are in it are His. He created it, He is sovereign over it (93:1-2), and He cares for it (Matt. 6:26-30). Second, God delegated the responsibility for the well-being of His earth to us (Gen. 1:26-28). This includes appreciation of and care for both nature (Lev. 25:2-5,11; Prov. 12:10) and people (Rom. 15:2).
This is our Father’s world. Let’s show Him how much we love Him by respecting it and caring for the people who populate it.
The natural world that God has made
Must not be used at whim;
We serve as stewards of His earth,
Responsible to Him. —D. DeHaan
To mistreat God’s creation is to offend the Creator.


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Friday, March 24, 2017

Love of Money (or any other addiction)

Those who have money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness! Ecclesiates 5:10

Depending on your addiction I want you to reread that scripture verse and substitute in your addiction in the blank.

Need help...

-- Those who have drugs will never have enough. How meaningless to think that a high brings true happiness! Ecclesiates 5:10

-- Those who view pornography will never have enough. How meaningless to think that impurity in thoughts and mind brings true happiness! Ecclesiates 5:10

-- Those who take risks will never have enough. How meaningless to think that a close encounter with death brings true happiness! Ecclesiates 5:10

-- Those who have "  insert here"  will never have enough. How meaningless to think that "  insert here" brings true happiness! Ecclesiates 5:10

I can't fill in the blank for your but I ask you to take a moment and think about how you would fill in those blanks. Happiness is truly something you find within.  It's a state of mind that's not created by things or experiences. If you define your life as such then you will never be happy - as it's never enough. But if you define happiness as a personal relationship with Jesus then you will see that Jesus IS enough.

I'm not saying to live a life of poverty as I don't think that's what scripture says. But within reason is what I believe God is calling us to. I'll give you a personal example. I LOVE to bike. I've been saving slowly for a new bike. I have also made sure to give back as well.  The thing is..I could choose to get a top of the line bike but would it make me any happier? but what if I got something that met my needs - to get out on the road and take care of the body God gave me AND to view the sites and creations of God at the same time giving praise.  Now that would make me happy...and I think God too!


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Thursday, March 23, 2017

Love is Practical and Sincere

This is how God showed His love among us. He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. 1 John 4:9

Jesus Christ was deeply practical. If you study His life you will note that, along with the profound spirituality of His ministry, He had a truly practical nature. When Jesus raised Jairus's daughter from the dead, He told her parents to give her something to eat.

True love and care requires more than mere words - it calls for action!

Grace For Each Moment
March 23rd

-- What does practical look like in your life? What about mine? Do we just pray for those who are in need or do we give what we have? Do we just send money to shelters and hope that someone else will prepare a meal, or do we dig in and serve?  I don't know what practical love looks like in your life ..  only you can seek Jesus to answer that. But based on the model of Jesus, I know practical means doing. Find one practical thing today to do for someone else...challenge yourself.


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Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Let Your Love Be Selfless

Let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.  1 John 3:18

Love in action is more than simply doing good deeds, pure love is profound and unselfish and embraces the faithfulness and noble principals that enrich the heart and mind of a person. It is precious above all things.

Grace For Each Moment
March 22nd

 -- For those who are in the world of addictions, love is a complicated thing. Sometimes addicts think "I love this person because he can always get me my drugs" or a codependent might think "If I do this for my son or daughter they will see how much I love them and they will have to stop using drugs, right?"

Alas, sometimes true love is actually letting go. The author writes later in the devotion about how true love is about sacrifice and sorrow and shows itself as loyalty and faithfulness.  So perhaps true love IS about letting go and just waiting.  I've been on both sides of the fence of this journey and I know how complicated and twisted love is.  BUT, I also know that the love from Jesus is NOT complicated.  In fact, it's the one sure thing that kept me going. Seek the love of Jesus today.


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Monday, March 20, 2017

Seek God All the Time

Joyce Meyer's Ministries

Seek God All the Time

by Joyce Meyer - posted March 18, 2013

Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking [reverently] and [the door] will be opened to you. —Matthew 7:7
In 2 Chronicles 20, King Jehoshaphat proclaimed a fast to show his sincerity to God. Missing a few meals and taking that time to seek God is not a bad idea. Turning the television off and spending the time you would normally spend watching it with God is not a bad idea either. Stay home a few evenings and spend extra time with the Lord instead of going out with your friends and repeating your problem over and over to them. These things and others show that we know hearing from God is vital.
I have learned the word seek means to pursue, crave, and go after with all your might. In other words, we act like a starving man in search of food to keep us alive. I would also like to add that we need to seek God all the time not just when we are in trouble. Once God spoke to me that the reason so many people had problems all the time was because that was the only time they would seek Him. He showed me that if He removed the problems, He would not get any time with the people. He said, "Seek Me as if you were desperate all the time and then you won't find yourself desperate as often in reality." I think this is good advice, and I highly recommend that we all follow it.

From the book New Day, New You by Joyce Meyer. Copyright © 2006 by Joyce Meyer. Published by InProv. All rights reserved.

-- I have got to say this one hit me as I was just posting the one yesterday about Jesus and wanting his love and to be filled by it.  And it dawned on me that I can only be filled with his love if I ask for it - and I can only be asking for it if I am taking time to seek Him. Let's do as Joyce suggests and shut off the TV or stay in one night that we would normally go out and spend time in the Word and in prayer.  Let's make this a habit and I am sure we will see our lives transformed.


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Sunday, March 19, 2017

Receive God's Love

If the name and character of Jesus had not been love, it would have been impossible for imperfect and sinful people to enter into a relationship with Him. But because He is love, He calls you to Him.

And you open your life to Hs influence, the Holy Spirit will enable you to live as God intended: in His strength and in the awareness of his living presence.

He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His please and will.

Grace For Each Moment
March 19th

-- I often just stare out into the world and reflect on how Jesus IS pure love.  Usually this happens after I have sinned or hear of some awful atrocity that happened..and it makes me just want more of Him in my life. I want to live my life with nothing but pure actions motivated by love. And each day I ask him to fill me with His love so that I may share that with others.


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Monday, March 13, 2017

A Glimpse of Glory


Perhaps by now you are seeing a trend in this week's devotionals...yes they are all about praising Him!
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. - Colossians 3:1
Praise is the outward expression of your deep joy! We praise God in worship on Sunday morning. We praise our team when they do well at sporting events. We praise our kids when they achieve a goal or do something special. 
Isn’t cheering someone’s success and accomplishments an invigorating experience? You’ll find the same energy within  your spiritual life when you consider the mighty acts of God in history, as well as His acts in your own life.  It will allow you to celebrate the joy and wonder of your relationship with Jesus Christ.
Praise not only is an expression of your joy in the Lord, but it also gives you a taste of what heaven will be like. If you read the last book of the Bible, Revelation, you’ll see what I mean. There’s a lot of praise and worship going on. I think God wants us to learn that praiseful attitude in this life, in preparation for the next. 
Few things will strengthen your faith more than when you cultivate a rich understanding of God through worship.  Praise him by remembering his faithfulness to you throughout your years and by looking forward to his promises.  When you worship him, your faith will be strengthened, your heart encouraged, and your vision of who God is and how he works will grow.
“Praise now is one of the great duties of the redeemed. It will be their employment forever.” -Albert Barnes (1798-1870)
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Thursday, March 9, 2017

Praying Friends


Praying Friends from Our Daily Bread

 by Anne Cetas


I met my friend Angie for lunch after having not seen her for several months. At the end of our time together, she pulled out a piece of paper with notes from our previous get-together. It was a list of my prayer requests she had been praying for since then. She went through each one and asked if God had answered yet or if there were any updates. And then we talked about her prayer requests. How encouraging to have a praying friend!
The apostle Paul had a praying relationship with the churches he served, including the one at Thessalonica. He thanked God for the faith, love, and hope of the people (1 Thess. 1:2-3). He longed to see them, and asked God “night and day” that he might be able to visit them again (3:10-11). He requested that the Lord would help them “increase and abound in love to one another and to all” (v.12). He also prayed that their hearts would be blameless before God (v.13). They must have been encouraged as they read about Paul’s concern and prayers for them. Paul knew too his own need for God’s presence and power and pleaded, “Brethren, pray for us” (5:25).
Loving Father, thank You for wanting us to talk with You. Teach us all to be praying friends.
I need the prayers of those I love
While traveling on life’s rugged way,
That I may true and faithful be,
And live for Jesus every day. —Vaughn
The best kind of friend is a praying friend.

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Wednesday, March 8, 2017

God's Great Gift

May the grace of The Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14

When we reflect on the sacrifice God made on Golgatha, through Jesus Christ, for our redemption and salvation, the eternal hope that He gave us through His triumphant resurrection from the dead and the power He extends to us through the Holy Spirit, we are overwhelmed with wonder.

There is no way we could ever repay The Lord for immeasurable love. But, we could and should, open our lives to Him so that we can pass on His love to others. Christ commanded us to love one another and we love ourselves, and as He loves us.

Grace for each Moment

-- during this season, this sacrifice should be on the forefront of our minds. We should be so aware that we are undeserving and yet, there it is. Accept it and love Him back. It's free and He is waiting for you to join Him at the cross just as you are.

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Monday, March 6, 2017

Bumper Cars

Bumper Cars by Joe Stowell from Our Daily Bread

Life is a lot like “bumper cars” at an amusement park. You get in your car, knowing that you will get hit . . . you just don’t know how hard. And when you get hit, you step on the gas pedal, chase the one who has hit you, and hope to bump that person harder than they have bumped you.
That may be a fun strategy for bumper cars, but it’s a terrible strategy for life. When you get bumped in life, bumping back only escalates matters and in the end everyone suffers damage.
Jesus had a better strategy: Forgive those who have “bumped” us. Like Peter, we may wonder how many times we have to forgive. When Peter asked Jesus, “Up to seven times?” Jesus answered “Up to seventy times seven” (Matt. 18:21-22). In other words, there are no limits to grace. We should always extend a spirit of forgiveness. Why? In the story of the forgiving master, Jesus explained that we forgive not because our offenders deserve it but because we’ve been forgiven. He says, “I forgave you . . . because you begged me. Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?” (vv.32-33).
Since we are among those who’ve been forgiven much, let’s stop the damage and share that blessing with others.
Lord, remind us of how deeply we have offended You
and how often You have extended the grace of
forgiveness to us. Teach us to forgive others and to trust
You to deal with those who sin against us.
Forgiveness is God’s grace in action through us.

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