Psalm 7: 1-14 - O God, do not be far from me; O my God, make haste to help me!. . . . .
Several years ago Ed and I took a course that identified our spiritual gifts. I had always thought my gift was teaching, but discovered one of my spiritual gifts was intercessory prayer.
I joined our intercessory prayer group at the church. I felt uncomfortable at first, because I had no experience praying in a group. I learned that prayers do not have to be eloquent but to simply pray what is in your heart. God already knows so all I needed to do was share it with him. Talk with God as if I saw him sitting right there in the room with me.
The psalmist shows us how to cut through fancy language and get to the heart of the matter: save me, rescue me, hear me and do not forsake me.
God is the source of salvation, protection, comfort and victory in times of great need. He is a rock of refuge, a strong fortress. Jesus taught us that when he prayed in the garden.
When I pray I ask God to help me, Jesus to guide me and the Holy Spirit to comfort me. It brings me peace and knowledge that Jesus is ever present.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
Gratitude
1 Thess. 5: 16-18 - "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
What will you thank God for today?
Sometimes I get caught up in the giants that I face each day. My mother always told my brother and I to look for good in every situation and it would out way the bad.
Do you take your blessings for granted? I have and I do! I have a journal that I write down answered prayers in; but I get busy and forget to write all of them down. Jesus healed ten leapers, but only one remained and gave thanks for his healing. Do I give thanks for one and not all the others that have been answered? Do I forget nine times out of ten to notice and give thanks for all my blessings?
I want to have a sensitive, grateful and loving heart. I want others to know that I value their friendship and kindness they have shown me. I want to thank God for all the gifts / blessings I receive each and everyday. I pray that I can live each day with gratitude.
What will you thank God for today?
Sometimes I get caught up in the giants that I face each day. My mother always told my brother and I to look for good in every situation and it would out way the bad.
Do you take your blessings for granted? I have and I do! I have a journal that I write down answered prayers in; but I get busy and forget to write all of them down. Jesus healed ten leapers, but only one remained and gave thanks for his healing. Do I give thanks for one and not all the others that have been answered? Do I forget nine times out of ten to notice and give thanks for all my blessings?
I want to have a sensitive, grateful and loving heart. I want others to know that I value their friendship and kindness they have shown me. I want to thank God for all the gifts / blessings I receive each and everyday. I pray that I can live each day with gratitude.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Communication
Psalm 139: 4 - "Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord."
Today modern technology has become the main way we communicate: memos, e-mails, texting, computer, facebook, twitter, and of course the phone/answering machines and voice mail.
All of the above methods represent opportunities for messages and request to be lost, or simply; ignored.
The old way of face to face - eye to eye communication is a lost art. It is hard to know exactly what others are feeling or what is meant by their messages.
I am confident that my prayers reach my heavenly Father. He has assured me that they do. God knows my thoughts/petitions before I ever whisper or speak them out loud. I don't have to wait for a reply to know He received them. He may not respond in the way I expected, but I can trust and have faith that He will respond.
communication may break down on earth, but communication with God never fails. I can rest assured that my message - prayer - will be received.
"Our words to God never go astray." Upper Room
Today modern technology has become the main way we communicate: memos, e-mails, texting, computer, facebook, twitter, and of course the phone/answering machines and voice mail.
All of the above methods represent opportunities for messages and request to be lost, or simply; ignored.
The old way of face to face - eye to eye communication is a lost art. It is hard to know exactly what others are feeling or what is meant by their messages.
I am confident that my prayers reach my heavenly Father. He has assured me that they do. God knows my thoughts/petitions before I ever whisper or speak them out loud. I don't have to wait for a reply to know He received them. He may not respond in the way I expected, but I can trust and have faith that He will respond.
communication may break down on earth, but communication with God never fails. I can rest assured that my message - prayer - will be received.
"Our words to God never go astray." Upper Room
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Falling Short
Matthew 26:69-75 - This scripture is about Peter denying Jesus 3 times.
John 21: 16 - This scripture is about the assignment Jesus gave Peter.
As hard as I try to stay on track, keep my focus on Jesus, I continually fall short by making mistakes and poor choices. I get so disappointed in myself. Why would God still love me? Then I remember Romans 8: 28. We are told God takes the bad and puts it to good use.
All the things I remember as falling short can be redeemed for good. Jesus shed all of His blood to seal the new covenant - the promise of forgiveness. In that covenant the Holy Spirit is able to bring me to rebirth, re-creation, renewal and redemption. I, like Peter, can still be used for God's purposes no matter what I have done in the past.
I am grateful that nothing can separate me from the love of God.
John 21: 16 - This scripture is about the assignment Jesus gave Peter.
As hard as I try to stay on track, keep my focus on Jesus, I continually fall short by making mistakes and poor choices. I get so disappointed in myself. Why would God still love me? Then I remember Romans 8: 28. We are told God takes the bad and puts it to good use.
All the things I remember as falling short can be redeemed for good. Jesus shed all of His blood to seal the new covenant - the promise of forgiveness. In that covenant the Holy Spirit is able to bring me to rebirth, re-creation, renewal and redemption. I, like Peter, can still be used for God's purposes no matter what I have done in the past.
I am grateful that nothing can separate me from the love of God.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Love
Romans 8:28 - That's why we can be sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good - MSG
Sometimes situations leave me feeling confused, depressed, disappointed and even grieving.
I was sitting at the computer and a series of pictures came up on my screen saver. They were of Ron, our son we lost to cancer.
If God loved me so much that he gave His son so I could be forgiven and have eternal life, how could I not rejoice, and willingly let go, so our son could be with Jesus.
God blessed us with three children. Now our focus needs to be on Kari and Jon. I know my purpose is to love them all I can for as long as I can while keeping my focus on God.
John 3:16 is our example of loving big, no matter what. Nothing can separate me from God's love.
Sometimes situations leave me feeling confused, depressed, disappointed and even grieving.
I was sitting at the computer and a series of pictures came up on my screen saver. They were of Ron, our son we lost to cancer.
If God loved me so much that he gave His son so I could be forgiven and have eternal life, how could I not rejoice, and willingly let go, so our son could be with Jesus.
God blessed us with three children. Now our focus needs to be on Kari and Jon. I know my purpose is to love them all I can for as long as I can while keeping my focus on God.
John 3:16 is our example of loving big, no matter what. Nothing can separate me from God's love.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
DRAMA & FEAR
Mark 14:33 - Jesus plunged into a sinkhole of dreadful agony. - MSG
Throughout life everyone faces,storms - drama. Some days I write in my journal: Lord, please no drama today!
Some people ignore faith. They are content to experience life through others. They per fer to not take any risks. For fear of the worst, they never enjoy life at its best.
Jesus did more than speak about fear, He faced it. In Max Lucado's book FEARLESS, it talks about the gospel drama being played out on two occasions.
1. Gethsemane's garden
2, Golgotha's cross
The garden staged the profoundest fear and the cross the severest suffering. Jesus fell to the ground and said: "Abba, Father, everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine," Mark 14: 35-36.
In Mark we are told horror came over him. (Horror - rendered helpless, disoriented, agitated, anguish) Matthew described Jesus as depressed and confused - sorrowful and troubled - anguish and dismayed.
God has become flesh and flesh is feeling fear. the cup is referring to God's anger, judgment and punishment. Jesus is taking on God's wrath. Jesus - divine - had never been separated from God since eternity. He was deathly afraid. Jesus showed us what to do with our fear. PRAY! Face all our drama with honest prayer.
I now look at drama differently. My challenges are small compared to Jesus' drama that occurred on that very first Easter. I will pray a prayer of thanksgiving to my Lord and Savior Jesus for giving His life for my sins. When I feel unworthy, I will remind myself that I am a member of God's family, and my drama doesn't amount to much when compared with the gospel drama.
Throughout life everyone faces,storms - drama. Some days I write in my journal: Lord, please no drama today!
Some people ignore faith. They are content to experience life through others. They per fer to not take any risks. For fear of the worst, they never enjoy life at its best.
Jesus did more than speak about fear, He faced it. In Max Lucado's book FEARLESS, it talks about the gospel drama being played out on two occasions.
1. Gethsemane's garden
2, Golgotha's cross
The garden staged the profoundest fear and the cross the severest suffering. Jesus fell to the ground and said: "Abba, Father, everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine," Mark 14: 35-36.
In Mark we are told horror came over him. (Horror - rendered helpless, disoriented, agitated, anguish) Matthew described Jesus as depressed and confused - sorrowful and troubled - anguish and dismayed.
God has become flesh and flesh is feeling fear. the cup is referring to God's anger, judgment and punishment. Jesus is taking on God's wrath. Jesus - divine - had never been separated from God since eternity. He was deathly afraid. Jesus showed us what to do with our fear. PRAY! Face all our drama with honest prayer.
I now look at drama differently. My challenges are small compared to Jesus' drama that occurred on that very first Easter. I will pray a prayer of thanksgiving to my Lord and Savior Jesus for giving His life for my sins. When I feel unworthy, I will remind myself that I am a member of God's family, and my drama doesn't amount to much when compared with the gospel drama.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
God's Peace
Romans 8:18 - Our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed to us.
Through the loss of our son to cancer I learned that we never know what tomorrow holds. I became aware, to live each day as if it were my last day, to not put things off as I might not have another chance to accomplish the things I had planned to do.
While feeling so helpless, I experienced the power of God. He spoke to me through a fictional book : Wish You Well, showing me that my purpose was to love all I could for as long as I could. He sent me strength through church friends who always called, or came by when I was at my weakes point. Although my world was crumbling around me, God gave me peace and He helped me bear my grief.
My husband and I thank God for allowing us to have our son for 39 years and we rejoice that he is experiencing all of God's glory. I have days that I feel sad that he is not here with us, but am comforted knowing he is safe within the love of my heavenly Father.
"As precious as life on earth is, it doesn't compare to life with God in heaven". Upper Room
Through the loss of our son to cancer I learned that we never know what tomorrow holds. I became aware, to live each day as if it were my last day, to not put things off as I might not have another chance to accomplish the things I had planned to do.
While feeling so helpless, I experienced the power of God. He spoke to me through a fictional book : Wish You Well, showing me that my purpose was to love all I could for as long as I could. He sent me strength through church friends who always called, or came by when I was at my weakes point. Although my world was crumbling around me, God gave me peace and He helped me bear my grief.
My husband and I thank God for allowing us to have our son for 39 years and we rejoice that he is experiencing all of God's glory. I have days that I feel sad that he is not here with us, but am comforted knowing he is safe within the love of my heavenly Father.
"As precious as life on earth is, it doesn't compare to life with God in heaven". Upper Room
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