A few years ago we had a missionary to Peru come tell us about the work she did. This was a person who grew up in the community in which we lived and she was back giving an update to all the churches which supported her work. When she finished speaking she asked if anyone in the congregation had any questions. Someone asked: "Have you ever witnessed a healing?" She said she had. She shared a story of how she was about to leave the country. Just before it was time for her to board the plane a woman came up to her. She had a small child with her who was deformed from birth. This child had one deformed arm and the feet were not developed. This mother wanted the missionary to pray for her child. She wanted prayer for the child's healing. The missionary began to pray and by the time she had finished, the child was completely normal. She said it was "so neat" to see the little hand form from a new arm. Little toes formed from a foot that had no toes. The woman was beside herself with joy exclaiming: "I knew it! I knew He would do it if you prayed!"
And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not. He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me. And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming. And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead. But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose. (Mark 9:17-27)
It is my belief this child the missionary prayed for was healed because of the faith the mother had. Perhaps it was the faith of the missionary. I am sure she prayed with faith too. God honors your faith. In the passage above, the father of this child was struggling with doubt. I know I can identify with him. We have something that just weighs us down and before long we don't feel as if our prayers go through the ceiling. We have allowed ourselves to become discouraged. Notice I said "we have allowed"...it is a choice. Sometimes we tend to limit God don't we? Touch this part of my life and don't touch that. We struggle with surrender on certain issues and it costs us. It costs us much more than we gain when we don't take God at His word. You will never know true freedom as a Christian until you give those things which keep you bound to Christ. That's a fact! I didn't say you wouldn't be a Christian. I am just saying you will struggle much more with peace and joy.
When I talk to someone about the Bible being the Word of God, I get some pretty nasty looks. You see, I am someone who is termed a "literalist." I believe the Bible literally. From the creation of the world to where Moses saw the sea parted...I believe. From where Gideon took a small army and defeated the Midianites to where David killed Goliath...I believe. From the point Noah entered the ark to where Elijah called the fire down from Heaven...I believe. From where Jesus raised Lazarus to where He died on a Roman cross for my sins...I believe. I don't need to go on do I? Now I know there is some symbolism in the prophetic messages in the Bible but when you read accounts of the men and women of God...you can take that to the bank! This actually happened.
This post has one true message: Believe God for He is faithful and give yourself to Him. Whether it be in prayer for healing or help in everyday life...God is able. The more of yourself you give to Him the more you will free Him to do wonderful things for you. He does do some pretty wonderful things too. I believe that.
Father God, I thank you for all you have done for me. I praise you because you are who you are and you do what you said you would do. You are faithful Lord. When I struggle with things in my life: "Help thou mine unbelief." Grant me that which I need to make sound decisions and not doubt in my heart. I continue to pray for Debbie who needs your touch. I lift up those who read Lord. I ask you would help them with any trace of doubt they may have. You are a reliable God and only you are able. May your blessings abound on them Lord. Bless them and keep them I pray. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
That little voice
I have felt the need to pray more lately in the form of intercession. I pray for my needs of course but I feel a special need to lift up those I promised I would pray for. Some of these people I know very well and some I don't even know personally. My wife helps me edit these posts because it is something she does well. She tells me I am a "wordy" person. I am sure some of my prayers are that way too. However, some of my prayers are just a few words long. I am confident God hears all of my prayers. I have to be careful that I not only pour out my heart to God but listen and wait for His answer.
And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?
1 Kings 19:11-13
In the verses above, Elijah was told by an angel to meet with God in a specific place. When God passed by all manner of things happened. He didn't find God in any of the powerful events which occurred. After all of this he heard a still small voice. God was speaking to him.
When you pray do you stop to hear that still small voice? Do you have this thought of a person come across your mind? Sometimes it is just that simple. God is so merciful. He knows we as humans lack the ability to always keep our train of thought. He also knows the things we need. He knows the needs of those you are praying for. He is God! I have tried to be mindful and take care I do not try to dominate all of this conversation. I am open and receptive to what He has to say. As much as I hate to admit it, there are times I have been less than thrilled with His answer or what he wanted me to do. Eventually I come around. It is an honor for God to be willing to use you or me for anything. I don't take it lightly. You never know what kind of blessing you will be to others if you will take the time to just listen a little. I know sometimes it makes me seem very peculiar indeed when I try to implement what He gives me. We are a peculiar people aren't we? (1 Peter 2:9) There are times someone I haven't thought about in years comes to mind. I won't even be in prayer at that time but I try to take just a moment to whisper a prayer. I believe God has put them on my mind for a particular reason and He wants me to pray for them. This still small voice is just that. A still small voice. If you ignore it...you miss out.
One more thing before I close. If you promise someone you will pray for them...please pray for them. It only takes a moment and it costs you nothing. The rejoicing you will both do for answered prayer has its own reward. Just remember God's voice is not always that of thunder. Sometimes...it's a whisper.
Thank you Father for giving me the opportunity to pray. Help me to keep my eyes and my heart focused on those things which are important to you. I want to be more inclined to hear your voice when you speak to me. May all who read this be blessed in a special way today. Give them what they need and encourage them as only you can. They are such a blessing to me and I ask for blessings upon them. I thank you and praise you in the name of Jesus, Amen.
And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?
1 Kings 19:11-13
In the verses above, Elijah was told by an angel to meet with God in a specific place. When God passed by all manner of things happened. He didn't find God in any of the powerful events which occurred. After all of this he heard a still small voice. God was speaking to him.
When you pray do you stop to hear that still small voice? Do you have this thought of a person come across your mind? Sometimes it is just that simple. God is so merciful. He knows we as humans lack the ability to always keep our train of thought. He also knows the things we need. He knows the needs of those you are praying for. He is God! I have tried to be mindful and take care I do not try to dominate all of this conversation. I am open and receptive to what He has to say. As much as I hate to admit it, there are times I have been less than thrilled with His answer or what he wanted me to do. Eventually I come around. It is an honor for God to be willing to use you or me for anything. I don't take it lightly. You never know what kind of blessing you will be to others if you will take the time to just listen a little. I know sometimes it makes me seem very peculiar indeed when I try to implement what He gives me. We are a peculiar people aren't we? (1 Peter 2:9) There are times someone I haven't thought about in years comes to mind. I won't even be in prayer at that time but I try to take just a moment to whisper a prayer. I believe God has put them on my mind for a particular reason and He wants me to pray for them. This still small voice is just that. A still small voice. If you ignore it...you miss out.
One more thing before I close. If you promise someone you will pray for them...please pray for them. It only takes a moment and it costs you nothing. The rejoicing you will both do for answered prayer has its own reward. Just remember God's voice is not always that of thunder. Sometimes...it's a whisper.
Thank you Father for giving me the opportunity to pray. Help me to keep my eyes and my heart focused on those things which are important to you. I want to be more inclined to hear your voice when you speak to me. May all who read this be blessed in a special way today. Give them what they need and encourage them as only you can. They are such a blessing to me and I ask for blessings upon them. I thank you and praise you in the name of Jesus, Amen.
Monday, May 17, 2010
When you pray...
A long time ago, before GPS and cell phones, I had a situation which needed closure. I was to meet with someone from out of state to be able to resolve some issues in my own heart. The problem was I had a street address but no phone number. Unfamiliar with the area, I wandered in circles for a while. After a while I asked: "Jesus, lead me there." I had no doubt He would answer this prayer. In about five minutes I had this strong urge to turn down a particular road. The street I was looking for was connected to this road. I met with the person and resolved my situation. On my own, I drove around this place many times without success. After the prayer, it was five minutes. Out of all the answers to prayer I have received, this one stands out to me because of what it meant to my heart at the time.
Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
(Mark 11:24)
Prayer is a living thing. It is holy communion with the Creator of all things. It is communication with Him who knows you better than you know yourself. There are so many references to prayer in scripture. There is no way I can effectively communicate all aspects in this post. Today I want to focus on one...faith.
The verse tells us to "believe that ye receive." How many times have you prayed thinking God wouldn't do something for you? If you approach prayer with this attitude, you are probably correct. You have to believe God loves you enough to answer your prayer. There should be no room in your heart for doubt! I want you to think of it as when you were a child. You would ask your Mom or Dad for something and all you had to do was ask. More times than not, you would be given that which you wanted. You would also be denied things that were not good for you. Not all prayers get the answer we want if they are outside of God's will for our lives. The key thought here is to believe He wants to answer you. He does. In my experience, God loves His people and He loves them to pray. How many times has God looked at me and wondered why I don't ask Him for what I need? We keep Him at arm's length when we give up and don't ask. Prayer is a wonderful gift God has given us. We should use it often! Nothing can usher you into His presence the way prayer can.
Do you have things in your life you need? Is there someone on your mind who needs something of the Lord? You can keep driving in circles without an answer or you can bring it to God in prayer. The choice is yours.
Thank you Father for hearing our prayers. I praise you for the opportunity. I ask you would continue to teach me how to pray more effectively. I thank you for all who read this and ask you to encourage their hearts and renew their minds. Help them to believe you want only good for them. Help them with their faith in what they ask for. Fill them with an intense sense of your love for them. Fill them with the joy and peace which only comes from you. I give you the glory for all that you do for them. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
(Mark 11:24)
Prayer is a living thing. It is holy communion with the Creator of all things. It is communication with Him who knows you better than you know yourself. There are so many references to prayer in scripture. There is no way I can effectively communicate all aspects in this post. Today I want to focus on one...faith.
The verse tells us to "believe that ye receive." How many times have you prayed thinking God wouldn't do something for you? If you approach prayer with this attitude, you are probably correct. You have to believe God loves you enough to answer your prayer. There should be no room in your heart for doubt! I want you to think of it as when you were a child. You would ask your Mom or Dad for something and all you had to do was ask. More times than not, you would be given that which you wanted. You would also be denied things that were not good for you. Not all prayers get the answer we want if they are outside of God's will for our lives. The key thought here is to believe He wants to answer you. He does. In my experience, God loves His people and He loves them to pray. How many times has God looked at me and wondered why I don't ask Him for what I need? We keep Him at arm's length when we give up and don't ask. Prayer is a wonderful gift God has given us. We should use it often! Nothing can usher you into His presence the way prayer can.
Do you have things in your life you need? Is there someone on your mind who needs something of the Lord? You can keep driving in circles without an answer or you can bring it to God in prayer. The choice is yours.
Thank you Father for hearing our prayers. I praise you for the opportunity. I ask you would continue to teach me how to pray more effectively. I thank you for all who read this and ask you to encourage their hearts and renew their minds. Help them to believe you want only good for them. Help them with their faith in what they ask for. Fill them with an intense sense of your love for them. Fill them with the joy and peace which only comes from you. I give you the glory for all that you do for them. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
To fulfill the law of Christ
Today I want everyone who does not have a need to raise their hands! No one? Anywhere? Since I can't see you this question has no merit at all does it? If you are like everyone else you have needs and concerns you would like to see met. I knew that before I even asked the question. The reason I am asking is simple. I think that we all desire to have someone that will stand with us during a difficult time. We all need someone that wants what is best for us and no one is better than God for this. Still we need that human factor. We need that human touch.
Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
(Galatians 6:2) KJV
A few posts ago I spoke on the compassion the Lord has for people. What about us as Christians? What kind of compassion do we have for others? We go through life and see all manner of suffering. It is not as though there is a lack of someone to pray for or pray with. We all have concerns in life because we are all human. Sometimes the burden people carry is about health. Perhaps the burden is about loved ones who do not know the Lord. Christ saw and met needs in his earthly ministry. He still meets the needs of people. We are allowed the opportunity to share in the ministry of Christ. He said that if we Loved the Lord God with all of our hearts and loved our fellow man as we love ourselves that we have fulfilled the law. I don't look at it as only fulfilling the law, Christ did this for us. I look at this as meeting the need of one Christ shed His blood for. There is really no need so small or any prayer insignificant enough that we shouldn't reach out to the ones around us. It doesn't matter if you are a young Christian or an old Christian. Some of the most heartfelt prayers I have ever heard came from Christians who were newly converted. They prayed with their hearts and you could feel the fire of God in the sincerity of their prayers. May God help me to pray with that sincerity and intensity. I encourage you today to seek out those who have a need. You won't have to go far I assure you. Lift them up in prayer before God. Allow them to lift you up in prayer as well. Let us together fulfill the law of Christ.
Father, I thank you for those who you allow me to minister to in your name. Help me to always be an encouragement to others. Help me to always make the time to do this. I thank you for the love I have for you and the love that you have given to me for others. Help me to grow in this even more. I give thanks and I pray for those who read this today that you would bless them and encourage them with anything in life they carry a burden for. Bless them and comfort them Lord. Meet all of their needs in whatever they need a solution for. I ask these things in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
(Galatians 6:2) KJV
A few posts ago I spoke on the compassion the Lord has for people. What about us as Christians? What kind of compassion do we have for others? We go through life and see all manner of suffering. It is not as though there is a lack of someone to pray for or pray with. We all have concerns in life because we are all human. Sometimes the burden people carry is about health. Perhaps the burden is about loved ones who do not know the Lord. Christ saw and met needs in his earthly ministry. He still meets the needs of people. We are allowed the opportunity to share in the ministry of Christ. He said that if we Loved the Lord God with all of our hearts and loved our fellow man as we love ourselves that we have fulfilled the law. I don't look at it as only fulfilling the law, Christ did this for us. I look at this as meeting the need of one Christ shed His blood for. There is really no need so small or any prayer insignificant enough that we shouldn't reach out to the ones around us. It doesn't matter if you are a young Christian or an old Christian. Some of the most heartfelt prayers I have ever heard came from Christians who were newly converted. They prayed with their hearts and you could feel the fire of God in the sincerity of their prayers. May God help me to pray with that sincerity and intensity. I encourage you today to seek out those who have a need. You won't have to go far I assure you. Lift them up in prayer before God. Allow them to lift you up in prayer as well. Let us together fulfill the law of Christ.
Father, I thank you for those who you allow me to minister to in your name. Help me to always be an encouragement to others. Help me to always make the time to do this. I thank you for the love I have for you and the love that you have given to me for others. Help me to grow in this even more. I give thanks and I pray for those who read this today that you would bless them and encourage them with anything in life they carry a burden for. Bless them and comfort them Lord. Meet all of their needs in whatever they need a solution for. I ask these things in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Nothing is Impossible
How many times in your life have you come up against something that you thought was impossible? What did you do? Did you try to work on the situation yourself? Did you worry about it? Or did you take the problem to the Lord? I think that should be the first course of action. The prophet Jeremiah was told that Jerusalem would be taken captive by the Babylonians. God was quite angry. As I read what the Lord told Jeremiah, my mind fell on one particular verse which has given me hope and encouragement through the years.
Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?
(Jeremiah 32:27) KJV
The reason I use this verse today is because it is my favorite verse in scripture. I claim this verse often and use it sometimes in my prayers to God. When I see this verse. My heart is moved. My soul is encouraged. Is there anything too hard for God? Of course there isn't. I may not see one way out of a situation that I am in. The Lord probably knows over a thousand ways out of any given situation. Maybe more! I remember one time I was looking for work a long time ago, and our creditors were really giving us a hard time. We turned the phone off to keep from hearing the phone ring. This was bad since the phone was the only way that I could get a call back from the applications that I had turned in. A job was the only way that I would be able to pay these bills that I had accumulated. My wife and I talked about calling one potential employer back and we prayed and put it in the hands of God. I picked up the phone to make the call, and the potential employer was on the other end of the line. I had picked the phone up at the right micro second that they called! I got the job by the way. Now what is it that God cannot do? If you know, please tell me. I am all ears. That is just one of many examples that I could give. You see, God takes care of His children just the way you would try to take care of yours. He loves them, just like you love yours. He just happens to have more of a capacity for love than we do. There is no doubt in God. There is only love and perfect knowledge. He knows your situation and He knows your concern. He knows how you plan, and He knows if you don't plan at all. He knows you! He loves you! So the next time you have something that you think is too hard to overcome, take it to God first. Is there anything to hard for God?
Father, I praise you for who you are. The fact that you are able to do above what I ask for is beyond my limited comprehension. I thank you for your love and care of me. I thank you for having my best interest at hand. Let me never, O Lord, be afraid to take anything to you. No matter how big or small the problem, help me to bring it before you. I praise you and thank you this day in the name of Jesus, the name above all names. Amen.
Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?
(Jeremiah 32:27) KJV
The reason I use this verse today is because it is my favorite verse in scripture. I claim this verse often and use it sometimes in my prayers to God. When I see this verse. My heart is moved. My soul is encouraged. Is there anything too hard for God? Of course there isn't. I may not see one way out of a situation that I am in. The Lord probably knows over a thousand ways out of any given situation. Maybe more! I remember one time I was looking for work a long time ago, and our creditors were really giving us a hard time. We turned the phone off to keep from hearing the phone ring. This was bad since the phone was the only way that I could get a call back from the applications that I had turned in. A job was the only way that I would be able to pay these bills that I had accumulated. My wife and I talked about calling one potential employer back and we prayed and put it in the hands of God. I picked up the phone to make the call, and the potential employer was on the other end of the line. I had picked the phone up at the right micro second that they called! I got the job by the way. Now what is it that God cannot do? If you know, please tell me. I am all ears. That is just one of many examples that I could give. You see, God takes care of His children just the way you would try to take care of yours. He loves them, just like you love yours. He just happens to have more of a capacity for love than we do. There is no doubt in God. There is only love and perfect knowledge. He knows your situation and He knows your concern. He knows how you plan, and He knows if you don't plan at all. He knows you! He loves you! So the next time you have something that you think is too hard to overcome, take it to God first. Is there anything to hard for God?
Father, I praise you for who you are. The fact that you are able to do above what I ask for is beyond my limited comprehension. I thank you for your love and care of me. I thank you for having my best interest at hand. Let me never, O Lord, be afraid to take anything to you. No matter how big or small the problem, help me to bring it before you. I praise you and thank you this day in the name of Jesus, the name above all names. Amen.
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