So I’m reading my bible tonight and come across a powerful scripture in Mark, chapter 11. Before I begin to read I encouraged myself saying, “I need to read my Bible, I really need to get to know Jesus better,” or something like that. So I’m reading and the chapter speaks on how Jesus was hungry and approached a fig tree for something to eat. The tree bore no fruit though. Funniest thought ran through my mind when Jesus yelled at the tree. I was just like, wow… Jesus actually got mad! How human. I’ve always imagined him to just be a peaceful 24/7, turn the cheek kind of guy. Later I learn that there was something-to-be-learned here. His apostle Peter was amazed that what he actually said to the tree came to pass. This next part was really what was amazing. Jesus said, “…have faith for whatever you pray for, and it will be yours.” I’m already a firm believer in that, and with that I understand that there is a time and place for everything in our lives. God never forgets, and what we pray for tomorrow may not come for years but it’ll come! Many times we’ve already received what we are about to ask for or are asking for, and just don’t notice it. That word just allowed me to remember… I have a devotional to write! And this month’s topic is Prayer!
Thinking all this through, I began to think about this tool. How accessible… how limitless… how easy! It doesn’t require batteries, no power cord, and its power is as strong as your faith. Sure it comes with an instruction manual to use it properly – what doesn’t? We just have to stop being so lazy and figure out how to use it properly. This nation would most likely not be in a recession. We’d probably all be Christians. But there’s no telling.
I mentioned how powerful prayer is but I’d like to let God’s voice illustrate this power for me. The same Chapter states this, “This is what will be done for someone who doesn’t doubt but believes what he says will happen: He can say to this mountain, ‘Be uprooted and thrown into the sea,’ and it will be done for him.(23)” God spoke and seven days later the world we live and breathe in was created. We speak, and mountains move on command! Are we not God’s children? We’ve come too far from believing what’s really true. Had this been a nation that prays the right way, mountains would be moving as much as we do. Just something we all need to think about and build toward.
Before this message gets long winded, I want to leave you with a few final messages. I feel it’s quite important to know the correct way to pray. God put it on my heart to spread this but I didn’t want to write about hearsay. So God did me one better. In the same message I read tonight, God revealed these steps as true. I’ve recently had to pray aloud more often and wasn’t pleased by the way things were coming out. God brought this algorithm back to me. P.R.A.Y. – stands for Praise, Repent, Ask, and Yeild. For those who don’t know how to pray, or just needed a reminder, this format brings forth powerful prayers for more than powerful people. Going down the list helps you cover all bases and pray a more complete, successful prayer.
The first of course is Praise. Entering with thanksgiving. Thanking God for the opportunity to thank him. For life today. For protecting you, your family and friends. It’d take all day plus infinity to thank God. So yes, we don’t pray enough! Whenever you remember something to be thankful for, don’t hesitate to pray! Don’t forget to finish off your thanks with thanking God in advance!
Repent and Forgive! Or forgive and repent. The 25th verse states, “Whenever you pray, forgive anything you have against anyone. Then your Father in heaven will forgive your failures.” There’s my conformation on this algorithm. Do unto others what you hope for for yourself. I always felt God would ignore my prayer if he were mad at me, until my burdens were released. It’s what’s kept me right by God for so long, so I stick to it regardless of how correct it is. And sure I know that sin is knowing you’re doing something wrong and doing it anyway. It’s always good to repent anyway just to be sure!
I’ve been waiting to say this since paragraph one, which was a long while ago, and I thank you if you’ve continued reading but… Closed mouths don’t get fed. This goes together with prayer as well as asking. The only being I’m comfortable asking anything of is God. You can ask my mom, I’m her child that “doesn’t like asking for anything.” She says it all the time. God is my provider though, and He’s got everything and can get anything! Why not ask!? Many times I’ve found myself not asking and expecting. I trust that God already knows the desires of my heart. It also goes to the 23rd Psalm, where “I shall not want.” Kinda makes it hard to ask when you have no needs. We’ve got to look at things like this though. Say you’re with your significant other, your mother, or brother in a store. If they see you trying something on, or eyeing something, they’re most likely to ask you if you want it. If they’re really nice, they’ll just get it for you, allowing God to work through them. Heh. But you’re more likely to get something you want on Christmas or your Birthday if you ask. Sure God knows. He knows all. We have a free will to ask just like we have a free will to live for him. If I had everything, I’d sure like people to talk to me in between me giving everything out to everyone.
Surely asking is the largest part of prayer, but I also believe in not begging. Aside from not repenting, I believe that begging is another way to get ignored. Therefore, Yeilding is important. I don’t see a problem in letting God know that you’re going to allow him to work, but I don’t think this step always needs to be stated. It’s more of an afterthought you act on after the prayer. Patience is important with God. It’s our biggest test as well. We must be prepared to not always receive when we want to receive. You never know how fast God will choose to move. Continue to expect and never lose faith and you should receive. Also stay right by God and do what you should be doing in order to keep favor. This is where tithing comes in also. Will a man rob God? If he does I hope he doesn’t expect God to continue giving to him! Look at all aspects of your Christian walk if you aren’t receiving what you ask for or want.
That’s all for now! Be blessed and stay blessed.
C.j.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
I have the answer
What do you do when you don't know what to do? You don't know the answers but you want them and they keep running from you. Stuff keeps happening and you don't know why. You want to ask people but you are too hard to open up. And when you do open up you get good answers but they don't seem to always work. You try to get along with your parents but that doesn't work. You try to get good grades because you know that's what your parents want but you can't seem to make it happen. You get a boyfriend or girlfriend but that doesn't work. You have sex but it's not what it was advertised and you keep doing it because you think everyone else is doing it. You turn to weed but that only lasts for a little while and your parents find out about it anyway. You turn to liquor and beer and you get a hangover the next day and you can't remember what you did the night before.
Some of the stuff I mentioned above is fun. The smoking, drinking, and having sex. Some of us turn to other stuff like food, video games, tv, etc. It's all fun. Trust me. I have been there and done that. They are fun but when it's all said and done they don't last and they don't help you when it really counts. The bible says that "sin is pleasurable for a season". Most of you haven't gotten to the place where it's not fun. All these things you turn to feel good and they seem like the answer right now. The only one act that you were meant to turn to and trust in is PRAYER!!! When you pray you get connected with Jesus. You were meant to. Everything else is a distraction to keep you from praying. I am not saying you shouldn't do certain things but if you are not praying first everything is going to be done by you and you will never get the help that you were meant to get.
If you bought a flat screen TV and put it in your room it would look sweet. Even if you didn't plug it in it would still look pretty. What happens when you plug it in? It turns on, right? And you get to see everything that was put in it. It comes to life. The way you really live is by getting connected to your source, which is Jesus Christ, through prayer. Without prayer you will be like that unplugged flat screen. You will look pretty but nothing happening. No answers and no life.
Mick
Some of the stuff I mentioned above is fun. The smoking, drinking, and having sex. Some of us turn to other stuff like food, video games, tv, etc. It's all fun. Trust me. I have been there and done that. They are fun but when it's all said and done they don't last and they don't help you when it really counts. The bible says that "sin is pleasurable for a season". Most of you haven't gotten to the place where it's not fun. All these things you turn to feel good and they seem like the answer right now. The only one act that you were meant to turn to and trust in is PRAYER!!! When you pray you get connected with Jesus. You were meant to. Everything else is a distraction to keep you from praying. I am not saying you shouldn't do certain things but if you are not praying first everything is going to be done by you and you will never get the help that you were meant to get.
If you bought a flat screen TV and put it in your room it would look sweet. Even if you didn't plug it in it would still look pretty. What happens when you plug it in? It turns on, right? And you get to see everything that was put in it. It comes to life. The way you really live is by getting connected to your source, which is Jesus Christ, through prayer. Without prayer you will be like that unplugged flat screen. You will look pretty but nothing happening. No answers and no life.
Mick
Adversity
Adversity: difficult or hard circumstances
That's a clear cut definition of what we have all had to face: troubles, trials...we have heard similiar names and (just in case you haven't already realized)..... every person who has ever lived on this planet has had to face some sort of adversity!
There are all sorts of reasons that trouble comes. Sometimes we create it for ourselves as a result of bad choices.... sometimes it brought on to us by other peoples' bad choices....and sometimes there just doesn't seem to be any logical reason for it. Despite all this two things are true about adversity: 1. Our enemy (the devil) wants to use adversity to rip us apart or to drive a wedge between us and God and 2. God wants you to use adversity to draw us closer to Him.
During difficult times we can choose how troubles and trials will affect us. We can let adversity make us bitter and cynical. We can let it ruin our attitudes OR we can choose to draw closer to God and to let ourselves become more like Him!
The Bible has so many wonderful truths about trouble, here's some examples:
James 1
2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
12Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
Romans 8
28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Psalms 119
92 If your law had not been my delight,
I would have perished in my affliction.
Choose today to let your adversities and troubles to push you closer to God!
Be Blessed,
Arlene
That's a clear cut definition of what we have all had to face: troubles, trials...we have heard similiar names and (just in case you haven't already realized)..... every person who has ever lived on this planet has had to face some sort of adversity!
There are all sorts of reasons that trouble comes. Sometimes we create it for ourselves as a result of bad choices.... sometimes it brought on to us by other peoples' bad choices....and sometimes there just doesn't seem to be any logical reason for it. Despite all this two things are true about adversity: 1. Our enemy (the devil) wants to use adversity to rip us apart or to drive a wedge between us and God and 2. God wants you to use adversity to draw us closer to Him.
During difficult times we can choose how troubles and trials will affect us. We can let adversity make us bitter and cynical. We can let it ruin our attitudes OR we can choose to draw closer to God and to let ourselves become more like Him!
The Bible has so many wonderful truths about trouble, here's some examples:
James 1
2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
12Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
Romans 8
28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Psalms 119
92 If your law had not been my delight,
I would have perished in my affliction.
Choose today to let your adversities and troubles to push you closer to God!
Be Blessed,
Arlene
Double Trouble
Trouble always seems to find those doing right. If everything were easy though, nothing would really have any worth. What would easy be without trouble anyway? I tend to look at trouble as I do pain, it’s temporary. And what doesn’t kill you surely makes you stronger. Don’t look at trouble as a burden then. Find your strength on the other side of it. Let that be your motivation to keep strong and press through it!
There are two kinds of trouble. There are trials and tribulations where God puts you through tests to strengthen and build your faith, and there are attacks where the devil comes to steal what God has for you and discourage you.
I’m a firm believer in the notion that “everything happens for a reason”. Whether it’s just the devil or God working around you I strongly believe this. From the deaths of your loved ones, to getting fired at work… to divorces and separations among spouses and rebellious children, these things effect those involved as well as those around those involved. In many of the cases trouble acts as a wake up call. That would be a trial. In other cases the devil is plotting to ruin you and overall turn away from God. We often wonder why God lets these things happen to us too.
I’m so glad God has put this topic in our lives this month because all throughout this month I’ve been reminded of very important weapons to battle trouble as well as trails. These two principles echo in my mind constantly now. The first is this… The greater your trouble, the greater your reward. Along the same path as that is… God will give you double for your trouble. Isaiah 61 talks about these rewards more. So let those words motivate you to make it through!
Just this week I let the devil get me down with my grades. I got discouraged about mess ups that cost me a couple letter grades and knew that I worked much harder than what I received and while correcting the problem, my whole attitude took me away from realizing it was nothing but the devil. I was lucky to have a Christian around to help me through that, but we as Christians tend to think we’re alone through our struggles and trouble. If we as Christians can keep our minds on Christ, we’ll never be alone.
It’s within troublesome times when refusing to turn to God’s Word can and will be our downfall. I can admit to falling short often. I tend to make a greater effort then to surround myself with Christ-like people though as a reminder. Never turn away from the Lord and you’ll make it through for sure. He’s our greatest weapon in the fight against the devil and the best guide for the paths and tests He has set for us. We were put here and given a free will. If we refuse to use that will to seek him first, then we can’t blame anyone but ourselves. God helps those who help themselves. So don’t expect anything less. I’ve learned too that it’s when you’ve got nothing left, and you’ve tried it all that God steps in, in your favor. So press on, and be strong family!
Be bless and Stay Blessed
C.J.
There are two kinds of trouble. There are trials and tribulations where God puts you through tests to strengthen and build your faith, and there are attacks where the devil comes to steal what God has for you and discourage you.
I’m a firm believer in the notion that “everything happens for a reason”. Whether it’s just the devil or God working around you I strongly believe this. From the deaths of your loved ones, to getting fired at work… to divorces and separations among spouses and rebellious children, these things effect those involved as well as those around those involved. In many of the cases trouble acts as a wake up call. That would be a trial. In other cases the devil is plotting to ruin you and overall turn away from God. We often wonder why God lets these things happen to us too.
I’m so glad God has put this topic in our lives this month because all throughout this month I’ve been reminded of very important weapons to battle trouble as well as trails. These two principles echo in my mind constantly now. The first is this… The greater your trouble, the greater your reward. Along the same path as that is… God will give you double for your trouble. Isaiah 61 talks about these rewards more. So let those words motivate you to make it through!
Just this week I let the devil get me down with my grades. I got discouraged about mess ups that cost me a couple letter grades and knew that I worked much harder than what I received and while correcting the problem, my whole attitude took me away from realizing it was nothing but the devil. I was lucky to have a Christian around to help me through that, but we as Christians tend to think we’re alone through our struggles and trouble. If we as Christians can keep our minds on Christ, we’ll never be alone.
It’s within troublesome times when refusing to turn to God’s Word can and will be our downfall. I can admit to falling short often. I tend to make a greater effort then to surround myself with Christ-like people though as a reminder. Never turn away from the Lord and you’ll make it through for sure. He’s our greatest weapon in the fight against the devil and the best guide for the paths and tests He has set for us. We were put here and given a free will. If we refuse to use that will to seek him first, then we can’t blame anyone but ourselves. God helps those who help themselves. So don’t expect anything less. I’ve learned too that it’s when you’ve got nothing left, and you’ve tried it all that God steps in, in your favor. So press on, and be strong family!
Be bless and Stay Blessed
C.J.
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