Prayer: A Conversation With God

God waits for us to seek Him. Photo Credit: Unknown 

I am Forgetful

There are times when I forget. 

I get busy doing all the things I think I should be doing and for hours, sometimes days I do not talk to my Lord. 

This is no way to have a relationship, not a good one anyway. 

If I were to treat my husband or kids like that, giving the silent treatment for hours or days on end then my relationships would begin to suffer. I know this. I pay attention to the people in my life, but why is it I fail to pay attention to my Father? Instead of acting like a beloved daughter, I wander around like a homeless orphan. 

I am Not Alone

The children of Israel had been brought out of Egypt. They were free of the tyranny of enslavement. Led by a cloud in the day and a pillar of fire by night, they followed the Lord's leading. They saw the spirit of God descend Mt. Sinai like a fire and a billow of smoke. They heard God's voice like thunder. They were in awe. 

Then Moses ascended the mountain and left the people below. For forty days and forty nights Moses dwelt in the presence of God at the top of the mountain. Below, the children of Israel heard only the sound of thunder. They began to forget it was God's voice and soon ignored it all together. They approached Aaron and asked for an idol to worship. Why? 

In the absence of fellowship we revert to spiritual enslavement and false idols. TWEET THAT

The Before and After

Before Jesus, we were lost in darkness. We wander around like blind men, groping for some stability. We look for salvation but only see darkness. We wait for a sudden illumination, but there is nothing.(Isaiah 59:9-10)  Then salvation comes. 

God saw our need for a Savior. He saw our desperation. His heart was moved with passion and zeal to show His great love for us. So He sent Jesus - His right arm. 

"He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor;

Therefore His own arm brought salvation for Him; and His own righteousness, it sustained Him." Isaiah 59:16 

The word "wondered" in Hebrew means to be made desolate, appalled, stunned, ravaged, stupefied, or deflowered. God saw there was no champion (ish in Hebrew - Strongs 0376) and it raped His heart. (yes- I said raped) He was made desolate at the thought His creation would never be able to have full fellowship with Him because of their sin.  Mankind needed an intercessor. 

That word "intercessor" can be translated in the Hebrew (Strongs 06293) to mean "to cause light to shine on" or "to reach the mark". God's right arm (Jesus) was sent to save us. To make a way where there was no way before. A sacrifice for all mankind, to take away the sins of the world. The word "Salvation" in this passage is pronounced "yaw-shah" which reminds me of the name "Yeshua" (ye-shew-ah) or Jesus. 

By providing a way for us to come to Him freely, God revived himself after feeling such loss. That is what it means when it says "it sustained Him". (Strongs 05564) 

Before Jesus we were lost, in the dark, groping like blind men. After Jesus we have a way to approach our Father boldly, with confidence that He loves us and has made us His righteousness through Christ. Now we have relationship. Now we can have fellowship. 

Fellowship is Key

God dwelt among us in the flesh. He walked in the midst of people. Jesus, fully God and fully man, laid down His life so that we could have fellowship with God. Then, Jesus returned to heaven, so He could give us the Spirit of God. The kingdom of God, alive and living in our very hearts. This is the mystery Paul spoke of. The God of the Universe dwelling in the hearts of man. 

God would not have gone through so much trouble if the reward was not great. Fellowship with us is that reward. His heart longs for our heart. Like a long lost lover longs for his beloved, God longs for us to be in fellowship with Him. 

So when I forget to talk to Him, I hurt the very heart of God. 

Prayer

Prayer is simply talking with God. A conversation. Fellowship. It is not a magical formula: if you mix equal parts thanksgiving with equal parts supplication then you get double parts blessing. (Blah)  We do not serve God for what we can get from God. 

We serve God because He is Holy and deserves our service. The paradox of God is this: as we make it more about HIM, He makes it more about us. He shows His love to us over and over and begins to shower us with blessings, not because we hit the magic formula, but out of His love and outpouring of relationship with us He gives to us. 

Prayer is talking. Prayer is asking. Prayer is worship. Prayer is fellowship. We have access to God by what He provided in Jesus, but we must approach the Father and talk with Him to begin to know Him, and like any conversation, prayer is a two way street. 

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me" John 10:27

You would not know your best friend or your spouse if you had never talked to them. God demands the same and more in order to know Him and to walk in fellowship with Him. It all starts with a conversation. 

He deserves more than my hard heart and cold shoulder. 

Forgive me Lord. Forgive my hard heart and my weak mind. Help me set my eyes on you and not be distracted by the things of this world that threaten to consume me. Instead, let me be consumed by You, like Mount Sinai was consumed. Like a fire and a billow of smoke, let me rest and dwell in Your presence. 

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Do you find praying difficult? Why or why not? 

Little Miss Scatterbrained

Copyright: Roger Hargreaves Mr. Men and Little Miss

Scattered

I found myself stressed, anxious and on edge for the last few days. I just wanted these feelings to go away! 

The thing I realized some time last night is this: I had not really prayed or gotten in God's presence in the last few days either. 

So I began to worship. I began to sing and lift my hands and my heart in praise. God is so good. I began to mull over Luke 12:26-28. 

"If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?"

In the last month I have been more obsessed with worry over money, bills, presents, and other little things than I ought to be. In reality, God met every need we had and provided above and beyond every time He moved on someone's heart to give toward my mission's trip.  

It Ain't no Thang

Money is a little thing. Since I have little of it, then I have a choice. I can either choose to obsess over what I do not have and worry about what I am going to do to get things I do not really need or I can trust that my Father would never leave me begging bread and that the least of the kingdom issues (MONEY) is taken care of. 

After all God is the perfect Father and provider. He provides according to His riches in glory. 

I use money as an example of how little things can take over our minds and edge out our faith. Song of Solomon calls these things "little foxes". The things we think on are the things that begin to take predominance in our lives. That is why Paul said this to the church in Philipi. 

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

Paul knew the importance of our thought life. We need the mind of Christ if we are to live the lives of over-comers  If we want to say "I am more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus" and it be true then we must train our minds to focus on the goodness of God, not the bigness of our needs. 

I had spent way too much time building my unbelief instead of building my faith because I was focused on the wrong thing. 

"As a man thinks in his heart, so is he..." Proverbs 23:7

So I will begin to sweep out the polluted thinking and meditate on the pureness and goodness of my God. His mercy is new everyday.   I will run off the little foxes that try to sneak in and steal the fruit God is growing in my life. I will focus on doing what God has called me to and let Him work out the rest. 

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." Jeremiah 29:11

I recently heard someone say this: "Worry and anxiety are you meditating on the wrong things. Instead of you thinking on God's goodness, you are focusing on your lack." 

How true this is. 

My Prayer

Father, forgive me for losing sight of You and your goodness. I know you are more than enough. Your grace is sufficient. Father help me to be about your business without getting sidetracked and busy with the details that I should be trusting You for. You are good. You are faithful. Your love never fails. Have your way in my life. Rule and reign in my heart. Lead me by Your ways, and show me what it is to love like you. In the name of Jesus. Amen. 

Join the Conversation

Have you ever battled worry and anxiety? What helped you? 

No More Lies Part 9: "What do you say?"

Lie #9:  I am grateful...enough

When my kids were small I would always ask them this question after they received a gift: "Now, what do you say?" 

The answer of course was "Thank you." 

We expect gratitude when we give gifts, but are we very grateful as a people? 

'Tis the Season....

This season is all about being grateful. Yet, when I think about it, I feel I fall short. 

I have so much to be grateful for yet I find myself complaining about the stupidest things. 

The internet is slow....I complain. 

I have a book get published, and sales are slow...I complain. 

My kids have attitudes about cleaning their rooms...I complain. My husband forgot to take the trash out....I complain. 

Instead I should be grateful that I have internet...it is the way I minister and talk with you. I should be grateful I have a published work, and let God give the increase....

My kids and husband are definitely something to be grateful for and I should show them and God that on a regular basis. 

I fall short...so short.

Gratitude is Paramount to Our Relationship With God

First God is our Source. Psalms says " For You are my hope; O Lord God, You are my trust from my youth and the source of my confidence." 

In God we find our supply. "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19 

If we are not grateful we displace God in our lives. If all we do is ask ask ask and never thank thank thank then we make God equal to Walmart or Santa Clause. 

He gives to us because he loves us. (John 3:16) 

This is why the word says "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name." Psalms 100:4

When the people of Israel were not grateful God called them "stiff-necked". Lord, please forgive me if I have been stiff-necked. 

When Paul began the closing of his letter to the church in the book of Colossians he says this: 

"Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts." Colossians 3:16

My Prayer

Father let me always have a song of gratitude in my heart. Forgive me for believing the lie that I am grateful enough. Soften my heart and may thanksgiving always be on my lips. Let this scripture be my life...

"That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works." Psalms 26:7

I thank you for your faithfulness to me and your love and mercy. Thank you for everything that you have so richly bestowed on me and mine and help me Lord to never forget your goodness. 

Join the Conversation: 

What are you grateful for? Leave your comment below. 

 

No More Lies Part 6 & 7: "Good Wifey"

I have been married 18 years and sometimes I still don't get it... 

I still don't get that I am not the band-aid  The fixer: the solution to all his problems. 

Meet lie #6 in my life: If my husband is not happy, I should "fix" it. 

The flip side of this is lie #7: If my husband is unhappy, then it is his problem. 

I have been at one extreme or the other several times in our marriage. I've had many opportunities to swing like a pendulum between them. The problem is that lie #6 goes back to being a control freak and lie #7 leaves no room for compassion or partnership. 

I married a soft-spoken, laid back guy. Opposites do attract! 

The problem with that is sometimes I need a firm hand. Not that I believe a man should lord over a wife, but I do believe a man is the spiritual head of a family and any relationship you enter into, even friendships, should make you sharper, not duller. So a marriage should make you stronger, and make you more capable of facing life. It should not be a "ball and chain", but should free you to really begin to flourish into the person you were made to be. 

"And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken." Ecclesiastes 4:12 KJV

 What I mean is I need someone to bounce ideas off of who isn't afraid to tell me no. I need someone who reminds me of the call of God on my life when I am discouraged or upset. I need someone that reminds me that anger may be a legitimate emotion, but acting in anger is not a good course of action. Between my husband and the Holy Spirit, I have the best teammates for life I could possibly have.

Likewise, I am to be the same for my husband. After all, this is not the Dayna Show. I should be someone who he can trust with his secrets, laugh with, cry with, pray with, and stand with against any storm.

When my husband, (who battled depression for years) had to be hospitalized for depression  ten years ago, I went into "fix it" mode. I wanted to do everything I could to make him happy. Until I realized his joy is not my responsibility. His happiness, or lack of it, is temporary and joy is a spiritual fruit. I was not the one in control of that....he was. This was a freeing thought, but a scary one too.

If I could not "fix" him then that means I might have to live with his humanity. I might have to walk in grace more. I would have to love him the way he was. That was scary, because no matter how much a girl hears "you can't fix a man" we all to some degree believe we can.

Now what? 

Now that I know it is not my job to "fix" him, I have to be careful not to become callous to his emotional needs in an effort to not live lie #6. If I am too stand-offish, then I run the risk of making him feel alone and isolated. Then I begin to live lie #7.... 

The old saying is "If Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!" but honestly, if Daddy ain't happy, Momma won't be happy either. I have to live with intent when it comes to my marriage, after all, a strong marriage is the foundation to a strong family. If Randy and I are in sync, then it is easier for our family to be in sync. 

Here are three things I think are important and will help me balance my life with my husband: 

1. Communication - I am a talker, but not a great listener. I can work on listening to him when he expresses his thoughts/emotions about things/situations in our life. 

2. Prayer - We need to pray together. This time with each other and God helps build unity. This will help eliminate any confusion down the track about what direction we are headed or how to get there. 

3. Create Moments of Intimacy- I am not talking just sex, though that is very important. (For a great blog on that check here)  I am talking about conveying my love and honor of him in his particular love language. For him, that is quality time and words of affirmation. I want to make sure he feels loved and fueled. 

My Prayer 

Father, help me to be a better wife. A wife who loves completely, with Christ-like grace and mercy and who lives with intention when it comes to my marriage. Help me be patient. Help me remember that you are in control, and let me have a good and Godly attitude toward the man you have given me. In the name of Jesus, Amen. 

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Do you have any helpful hints on a happy marriage? Share them in the comments below! 

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Completing the Armor of God

This will be the last entry in the Armor of God series.

Lets look at the scripture once again.

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints." Ephesians 6:10-18

Watch Your Head! 

We have to protect our minds from the enemy. The childhood song lyrics "O be careful little eyes what you see..." come to mind. I know how easy it is to get sucked into what passes for entertainment these days. I have an obsession with reality TV. I used to watch housewives, stars in rehab, and the "un"real world. Though I drew the line on all things jersey. 

I understand how easy it is to veg out in front of a TV and do nothing for a while. But too much of anything can be a bad thing, and when we are not paying attention because we are 'Vegging Out", the enemy can be laying the groundwork for his next attack. 

Our minds are battlegrounds in and of themselves. When we are under attack it is difficult to win unless we have the mind of Christ. 

2 Timothy 1:7 says this: 

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind"

Anyone who rides horses can tell you this: where the head goes, the horse follows. We are no different. If Satan can win the battle for your mind, then your life will follow. Guard yourself. Put on the helmet of Salvation.

That Thing is Sharp! 

Brain surgery requires a sharp cutting tool. As Christians, we often need to allow God to perform surgery on our minds. We must cut away our old way of thinking and allow Him to teach us a new way to think.

How do we do this? By the Word of God, which is sharper than any two-edged sword.

Romans 12:2 says this: 

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

By reading and memorizing the Word of God it gets in us. It begins the work of renewing us from the inside out. It begins to correct us, instruct us, and show us the goodness of God. It tells us how God operated and helps us learn to recognize His Spirit at work in our lives.

The Christian Soldier is a Duel Sword Warrior

Okay, so I got a little video-game-geeky when I wrote that subtitle, but it is true nonetheless. We must be able to wield not only the Word of God, but also the Sword of the Spirit.

We have all met those Christians that can fire off in rapid succession scriptures to back up their point of view. This quick-fire method may be good going up against the enemy, but deadly when pointed in the direction of people.

This is why listening to the Spirit is so important. Sometimes, what we see as an opportunity to show how much scripture we know, is really an opportunity to just shut up and listen to someone. This gentle response allows the Spirit of God to work in the situation rather than us stumbling around randomly swinging hoping we do not cut too deeply.

This does not only apply to how we treat others, but also how we respond to ourselves. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in "being our best" that we forget to rest in the Grace of God. There is no condemnation (accusatory attitudes and prosecution of sin) in Christ: He paid the price for you already. The Spirit of God will correct you, but be careful you are not allowing your ideas of what God expects to begin to bludgeon you into  an emotional and spiritual basket case.

There will be times when God gets right to the meat of a matter, and then there are times when He woos us with His grace. We must learn to yield to both the Sword of God (BIBLE) and the Sword of the Spirit (Holy Spirit). Both are vital, and both can be mishandled.

Keep the Lines of Communication Open

In any battle scenario, the lines of communication must remain open between the front lines and the command center. If these are interrupted, the battle will go sideways very quickly. It may still be won because training kicks in, but casualties will be high, and the overall objective of the battle may not be won.

Our relationships with God are no different. He is in Command. We are on the front lines. We must pray and have open communication as we face our enemy. We cannot see the whole battlefield. He can. He can direct us, and help us guard one another's flank to keep us from defeat!

Prayer allows for instantaneous change of heart and directions. Prayer allows for God to speak directly to us and give us the edge we need when we square off toe to toe with out enemy.

Post Battle Report and RNR

Do not forget, that after battles, soldiers need some Rest-n-relaxation (RNR). Get with God and get the download on how the battle went. Ask about what you could have done differently and then, just rest in His presence. Get some RNR. This time will help fuel you and prepare you for the next battlefield, and help you to train other soldiers that are watching your example. 

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Join the Conversation: 

What part of the armor of God do you still have questions or comments on? Share with us, and join the conversation. 

Live On Purpose

Photo Credit: Creative Commons

Time Out

I want to take a break from talking about the Armor of God and just ask you a question.

What is it you need today?

Is it quiet alone time?

Time with your spouse?

Maybe it is a rousing game of Uno with your kids or a walk through the park to soak up the Fall sun and take in the leaves turning.

Take the time to do it. Breathe in some peace. Enjoy these moments.

This life is crazy busy. Sometimes you think a day will be a lazy-lay-around-the-house kind of day and you do not stop moving and going from the time you get up.

Sometimes you think everything is fine and then the phone rings.

That happened to a colleague of mine just the other day. Author and blogger, Mary DeMuth  was on a missions trip to Haiti when she got a call: her daughter was ill. Strangely ill.

Mary boarded a plane, defied customs by talking on her phone, cried, prayed, and now sits at her daughter's side at the children's hospital, waiting for answers. You can read more about it here.

The doctors have ruled out many things, but answers are not as easily available. Will you pray?

When Trouble Comes

As you go about your weekend, look around. No one is promised tomorrow. No one is promised life won't be messy or bumpy. As a matter of face, Jesus said this:

" I've said these things to you so that you will have peace in me. In the world you have distress. But be encouraged! I have conquered the world.” John 16:33 (CEB)

In this moment, be grateful and in this moment be present. Live now, on purpose, with purpose your best life in Christ. When the storms of life gather, and they will, remember who you are rooted in, remember the good moments now. This is how we overcome the adversary: by faith in what Jesus did for us and by the WORD of our TESTIMONY. 

So be grateful now. Remember the good times now. If you are going through a hard time, begin to recall God's faithfulness and goodness in your life. If you are in a good place and things are at peace, then worship God and give thanks. This is a time you will need to remember later.

Join the Conversation: 

Will you take the time to pray for Mary and her family. Her daughter's name is Julia. And is there anything you want me to pray for? Leave it in the comments below.

Exercising My Faith

When I am doubting, as I am right now in the very moment I begin to write this, I have to begin to exercise my faith. This is in real time, so you get to see and read the spiritual workout.

To give you a brief history of this particular freak out session, my daughter needs surgery and we must come up with a very large amount of money to pay for it in less than four days. Panic began to set in. So I must begin that Automatic Truth Response system we have talked about before and build my faith.

The first thing I did was remember that I do not see the whole picture, but my Father does. He is my provider, and he clothes the birds of the air and the flowers of the field need nothing that He does not provide. 

I am joint heirs with Jesus, and our Father owns the cattle on a thousand hills. He has never let me starve, and He is attentive to hear me when ever I pray.

Sometimes I miss the point. This is not about me. It is not even about my daughter. This is about God getting the glory through it all. 

I will sing and dance I will praise His name for ever. Great are you o Lord, for your mercies are new every morning and your faithfulness remains forever and ever. 

If you are hearing "Great is Thy Faithfulness" then you are hearing what I am hearing right now in my head. 

Job 4:1-6 says this: 

Then Eliphaz (Job's friend) said this (to Job):
"Would you mind if I said something to you? Under the circumstances it's hard to keep quiet.
You yourself have done this plenty of times, spoken words
that clarify, encouraged those who were about to quit.
Your words have put stumbling people on their feet,
put fresh hope in people about to collapse.
But now you're the one in trouble—you're hurting!
You've been hit hard and you're reeling from the blow.
But shouldn't your devout life give you confidence now?
Shouldn't your exemplary life give you hope?

Sometimes circumstances rock us to the core. We talked about being prepared for the storms of life  in yesterday's post, but I know that since my foundation is sure and my hope is in Him, God, my Father, then I have nothing to fear. 

God took me to Job for a reason. It is a quiet reminder to grow up a little, quit whining and wait for God to be glorified through the circumstance. 

Thank You Father for speaking "Peace be Still" in the middle of this storm. To you be the glory and power and all the honor. I love you. You are my peace. Amen. 

Question of the day: How do you handle bad news? 

A Walk in the Park....

My view under a shade tree in Herman Park

Yesterday I walked through a beautiful city park, sat under shade trees, cracked jokes with my 13 year old daughter, rode a kiddy train, battled the metro, saw dinosaur bones, and took lots of pictures. You know why this was a wonderful day? Because it was a gift of time with my child. 

The whole reason we were out and about was because she had a doctor’s appointment, but we took the rest of the day just enjoying each other’s company and the things about each other that give us joy. Connie-Lyn can always make me laugh, and her unique way of looking at things makes me sit back and wonder at God’s grace and plans. Just when I thought, how can I possibly love this kid any more than I do right now, she delights me and I fall a little harder for her. 

Do you know, God feels so much more for his children? His love is constant. It never waivers and it never changes, and just like I wanted to carve out time to spend with my child, God wants to have one on one time with you. 

How, you ask? 

There are two ways we spend time with God: Prayer, and Bible reading. 

Prayer is effective communication with God. Without it there is no relationship. Think about this: if you never talked to your spouse, or your children, what kind of relationship would you have? Relationships are vital, growing beings. They are like sharks: they should always be moving forward. 

Learning and discovering new ways to please one another, to delight each other, to surprise one another: these are some of the ways a relationship shows growth, but without talking to one another, a relationship will begin to shut down and die. 

Why do we think our relationship with God is any different? 

If you just thought, as you read this, “Well, God knows my heart, and He knows everything anyway, why do I need to talk with Him?” then I have something to say to you: This is not about what God can do, it is about what God wants to have. 

Connie-Lyn  13 

He wants to have relationship with you. He wants times like I had with my daughter, where you spend time together just talking about anything and everything, delighting in one another and falling for each other in new and refreshing ways. God wants your prayers because if you will just talk to Him you will begin to see His love for you and understand the enormity of all He has done for you. 

But prayer isn’t the only way to know God. 

God left a love letter for us to read. It is long, and it has moments that you may not understand in it right away, but it is proof of God’s consistent love throughout time for us. This letter is called The Bible. King James, The Message, The Living Bible, The Amplified, and more are all wonderful translations. The Bible says meditate on God’s words day and night and write them upon your heart. As we read, we get to see God’s character. Yes, He is love, but He is also Holy and Jealous, and Faithful and so much more. 

When we pray and read God’s word, we grow as people yes, but we grow in relationship with God foremost. This has been His desire from the beginning: to walk in the cool of the evening with you, delighting in you, and you delighting in Him. 

Just one of the many apps for Bibles

Recently a friend said to me that reading was difficult for her. My husband has the same issue. That is why he listens to the word via an APP for his smartphone. There are several you can choose from and with mp3 players, smartphones, laptops, and tablets, there are so many ways to carry the word with you no matter where you are. GoBible, (which allows you to listen as well as read) Olive Tree Bible Reader, YouVersion and Bible Gateway are just a few. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. So if reading is not your strong suit, then listen, but get the word in you somehow! 

Praying and reading will take you from just knowing about God, to knowing Him intimately. So crawl up in the Father’s lap, rest in Him as you pray and go to His word to get to know Him more. He is waiting on you.

Wife with a Knife or Wife for Life? The 3 things a wife needs to do to help her mate.

Becoming the wife you want to be may not be as hard as you think: becoming the wife your husband needs may require some more work. 

We are supposed to be our spouse’s helpmate. But this isn’t about helping him find his socks, helping him remember to pack a toothbrush, and it is definitely not about helping him with driving directions. GPS can handle that. This is about helping him hold his spiritual ground. 

Listen, with all the things God has for you as a couple (and your lives should work to some extent as a unit because in God’s plan you are now “One”) - the wife should serve her husband in three ways in order to help him be the spiritual leader of the house. 

The first way to serve your husband is prayer. 

As wives we need to be lifting that man up. He needs prayers for everything from “Lord, let him burp less” to “Lord, protect him from the snares of the devil.”

I cannot stress this enough. Prayer girds us up. (Gird is a weird word I know, but like a good “girdle", it is sometime necessary.) Prayer builds a wall of protection and empowers us to perform the work we are called to. 

Is your husband’s confidence shaken? Pray. Are there big decisions coming? Pray. Want to protect his heart and body from falling into temptation? Pray. Prayer based in the word, full of truth and trust in the Lord is what the bible calls fervent and effectual prayer. 

The second way a wife should serve her husband is by her actions. 

No, this one isn't about sex, though sex is important, that is another post for another day. This is about agreement.

Unity is essential to a spiritually fruitful house. As the leader of the home, your husband needs your support. This in all honestly, is probably the most difficult one for me. I am strong minded, and love a good argument. Blame it on my upbringing, my stubborn nature, or whatever; I do not like to give in. I think God calls this being “stiff necked”. 

But giving in and giving up are two different things.

When my husband and I disagree about how to handle something, he is the ultimate decision maker. That is his place. It does not mean my opinion is not heard, it means that once he has chosen the path we take, the action we do, then I shut up and take that path or perform that action. Unity is in the doing, not the saying. 

My kids have seen this first hand. My kids may not like it, but they know that if Daddy has said no, so does Mom. They can pick up fairly easily on whether or not I agree with Daddy, but they know that agreeing or disagreeing doesn't matter.

What dad said is what mom says. What dad does is what mom does. Jesus said a house divided cannot stand, and that is so true. Get on the same page with your husband. 

The third thing is this: allow God to be God.

Emasculating our spouse is never a good thing. He bears the burden and the risk for the family and when you take that from him by becoming the decision maker or by telling him how things are going to be, then you are never going to be satisfied in your marriage.

This is why we get told, “You cannot fix a man”. It is not that a man cannot change, he can, the gospel says so, no: you cannot fix a man because it is not your job to do so.

 When a man is in his place as head of the house, actively loving, not lording over, the family, then you will have a fulfilling and satisfying partnership for life. 

When your husband has made a mistake, and he will because he is human; let God and circumstances teach him, not you. You will turn into a nag and rob your husband of his personal and spiritual growth if you “correct” him or tell him “I told you so”. 

Look, as I write this I am preaching to myself, believe me. I have to be reminded of these things all of the time, but when I keep them in the forefront of our marriage, I see God’s blessings. I see my husband having to seek God for himself, and the fruit that grows out of that, our whole family gets to enjoy. 

Don’t be a wife with a knife, cutting off God’s blessings before they are fully formed, be a wife for life and actively support your husband with prayer, in agreement and unity, and allow God to do the guiding, not you. These three things will make you the wife you should be and make you husband stronger along the way!

A Charge to Pray!

When perfect strangers start asking you to pray and speak into their lives you know you are doing something right.

It is so humbling to be asked to pray for someone, but when someone you have never met, asks for your help, your advice, your prayers, what is your response? 

For me it is to pray immediately. Why not? We serve an awesome God, who is looking to and fro on the earth for His children and ready to reward our faithfulness with His favor.

We are supposed to share the gospel. Gospel means truth. What better way to share the truth than to lay hands on the sick, to pray the word over someone’s life and then step back and watch God honor it? His word does not return to Him void, but does what He intends it to.

His word brings Life. His word brings healing, His word brings joy. His word is Jesus. John 1:1.

One thing that disappoints me is when I hear someone ask for prayer, and they get an “I will be praying for you” rather than a prayer RIGHT THEN! 

Our words are powerful. They are the rudder of our lives. When we submit to God, knowing that He is our covering and our shelter, our provider and our refuge, there is nothing He cannot do! 

He opens the windows of heaven and bestows favor. So stretch out your tent! Get ready for God to move in your life when you pray!

Jesus said when we pray, do so in faith believing. “Be thou removed and thrown into the sea!”

What has changed for us as Christians that we do not believe what God has said to be true? What lie have we believed?

Did God not say, IF my people, who are called by my name (CHRISTians) will humble themselves and pray, and turn from their wicked ways, that I will hear them, and heal their land?

So when someone on Facebook asks for prayer, give it- then and there! And share it. Hit the comment button and write it down. 

How can we add our faith in prayer, if we don’t know what is being prayed? 

One can put 1000 to flight; two can put 10,000 to flight. In the grocery store when you bump into someone who asks for prayer, pray right then! 

When God brings someone to your mind that you have not thought about in years, pray for them- there is a reason they are on your heart.

Prayer is talking to God, but it is so much more when our faith is added and we get out of the way and let God be glorified in it. When He is the focus of our prayers He is always the answer to them!

Be it according to your faith.

Remember that pray is a verb and verbs are action words!

Have you got something you want to pray about? Ask in the comments below. 

My prayer in the night!

Father, I cry out to you. You, O lord are in Heaven, full of grace and mercy on Your throne. You who dwells in the hearts of man, whose love pours out over the nations, whose eyes roam the earth to and fro. To You I cry and come before You now.


In my soul I am disquieted. I ache with the pain of my lack. I have failed to trust You. I have raised money to a status above You. Forgive me O lord; I know what You have said. No man can serve two masters. Lord, I repent. I have not truly looked to You as my source. I have not relied on You as I should. I repent and I am determined to change.


Change my heart Father God. Renew in me a right spirit. One that is upright before you, one without shame, shade, or turning. Let me be transparent before You now. Cleanse me and purify my heart o Lord. I want You, and the things of You in my life. I do not accept lack, I do not accept my “place” when it is inferior to what You have designed for me. I will not be weighed down by these lies. I deserve more as Your child. You have plans for me. You have a path for me. You o Lord have designed me for a purpose. I am yours to wield.


Where I lack You are enough. Where I need, You are sufficient. You are my supply, and You are endless. YOU ARE MY SUPPLY AND YOU ARE ENDLESS! Your love and mercy are new every morning. You are more faithful than the sun. You are the mighty creator, and You love me. You make covenant with me, you broke Your Son’s body for me; Your love is endless, matchless and without measure. Teach me O Lord to be like You. To trust You. To lean into You. To sit and be still to know that You are here. In your presence IS fullness. I will not go hungry, I will not be left a beggar, In you I have everything I need. In you I LIVE, I BREATHE, and Have my being!


You sing over me, songs of love, songs of comfort, and songs of life. You are all I have needed, and I will look to You. I will look to Your holy hill and know my help is on the way.


Examine me lord. Open me up, lay me bare. Grow me from the inside out. Rejuvenate, remake, remodel me into Your image, as You intended from the beginning. You o Lord are my shelter, my fortress. Under Your wing will I stay and I will trust in you all the days of my life.


You knew me in my mother’s womb, You saw me before I was ever made. You knew all my faults, mistakes, and failings and you loved me anyway. You are so good. I praise you O God! To you I declare my love and abiding faith. In you I am grafted. In You I dwell. In your city, on Your holy hill, I will kneel before You, singing your praise and weeping in Your presence.


You Father know my needs before I do. You are already making a way where there seems to be no way. You are the one whose footsteps I follow. I listen for Your melodic, warm voice as it leads me along still waters. You are the lifter of my head, the lover of my soul, my true and mighty king. You are all I need. I will not forget, but when I do forget, Your Spirit will remind me. You are my help in this and every moment. I love You, I worship You. Majestic Righteous, Omnipotent Savior. Mighty God, in whom I will place my trust! To Him who sits on the throne, all glory, all power, all might. You are great and greatly to be praised. Lamb of God, Eternal Brother, Savior, King. I love You Lord. Amen.

My Prayer

This is my prayer for this blog, and I want to share it with you. I typed as I prayed this, to record what was on my heart and to create a benchmark to return to and see what God has done since. I want you to know that this is my heart. My prayer is that I will always honor God and what He wants. This is the complete prayer, unedited. You may ask why I would share it, but the Bible is clear: 

Matthew 18:19
King James Version (KJV)
Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 


Know that I do not take this lightly, and my purpose is just to share my heart, and have you pray with me and for me as I continue to obey our Father. 

"Lord, I come to you and praise you. Bless the name of the lord, who lives forever. I worship you because you have done such wonderful and mighty things. You are my maker, my strength, my deliverer, my delight. I come to you with thanksgiving, with adoration for all that you are. Thank you for what you have done what you are doing and what you will do. You are faithful, to all the generations, and to me, you are faithful.

You have put this idea in my head, and I feel like I am following what you have for me, but I don’t want to go by my feelings. I want to know by your still small voice I am on the right path. I sound so selfish. Like that guy with the fleece…trying to test you. You are God, you don’t jump through hoops. But you ask us to prove you so I do want to continue to do that; to test your goodness and faithfulness by relying on you, by trusting you, by following you, by living for you. I know I do not abide in you like I should. I have not dwelt in your presence, or sought it out.

I have been like a naughty rebellious child, holed up in a room trying to separate myself from you. But nothing can separate me from you. You are God. You are the lifter of my head. You are the creator of worlds, you have my life in your hands, and you have your protecting wings around me. You are my buckler and my strength. You are amazing. You are so faithful. You have never let us go hungry; even when our lack is our own fault. You have made our hearts soft and our bellies full, you are faithful Lord.

Lord, I long to hear you, to see you, to feel your presence lord. You are sweet like honey, but searing like fire.

Lord, grant me wisdom, so that I can know you, grant me wisdom so that I can find you, grant me wisdom so that I can tell others about you. Lord, grant me wisdom that I can rightly divide you word, that I can break it down, digest it like a mother bird, and feed it to people. Help me have the wisdom to plant in season. To know where to sow and when to sow, and lord, give me seed. 

You are faithful. You are righteous, you are holy. Let the only the words you want said written out for the people. Let these be my labor, my love, my ministry. Let this be what you have meant it to be Lord. I do not do it for my glory. Pull me back from my vain imaginations and false ideas of future glory and let this be about you and communicating your love to people. For this reason you sent Jesus to testify to the Truth…let me do the same. Let this be my testimony.

You who made the heavens and the earth, you who hold up the stars and the moon, you have your eyes on me, you see my heart. Lord it is unworthy of your eyes. I am unclean. I am not deserving of your love and mercy. I am not. But you clothe me in righteousness for your own sake. You have given me your son and his sacrifice has made me clean. Cleanse my heart now o lord. Cleanse me of all unrighteousness, make me whole and make me wholly yours.

Reconcile my life to the accounts you hold. Check me and balance me against you and where I lack lord, teach me mold me fill me and grow me into what you desire. You are mine and I am yours and your banner over me is love. I love you lord, as you have loved me, I strive in my smallness to love you greatly. I love you Lord. Abba, Daddy, Father, my lord. Bless your holy name. Amen"

Sunday Reflection February 26, 2012

Wow! What a week. We have talked about Praise bringingBreakthrough, Overcoming circumstance and offence, The Importance of Godly friends, our Great Commission, and The Salvation Message this week.  I have to say that every week for me gets better and better. I get to study and spend time writing. Two things I love, and as the blog grows, I get to hear more from you, the readers. The highest read post of all time was the one on Forgiveness this week, and I have to say that I am humbled by the response.

In all, at the time of this writing, there were 1,258 visitors in the 1 ½ months this blog has been live. I hope to one day have that many readers every day, but for now, I write knowing that God is the one who gives the increase, and I just keep being faithful. The most amazing thing to me, as it has been every week is the list of countries this blog is being read in. I want to list them out just so you can see what God is doing!

United States	Russia	Honduras	Philippines	Germany
Canada	Brazil	Chili	Italy	United Kingdom
Romania	India	Czech Republic	Malaysia	Qatar
Australia	Namibia	Bulgaria	France	China
Grenada	Botswana	Maldives	New Zealand	Singapore
Iraq	Turkey	Saudi Arabia	South Africa	Bangladesh
United Arab Emirates	Hong Kong	Netherlands	Latvia	Mexico
Pakistan	Jordan	Ghana	Algeria	Nigeria
Finland	Ethiopia	Norway	Kenya	Viet Nam
Palestinian Territories	Egypt	Spain

That is 48 countries and growing!  Many of these countries have an anti-Christian stance and getting the gospel in is a major victory for Christ! I pray for this list and every one of these countries as they pop up on my statistics screen. I know God is using this blog in amazing ways and I am so thankful and in awe that HE is using me to do this.

I cannot tell you in words how amazing this journey has been so far. The sad thing is I am a writer, so that failing is definitely on me. I am working hard to hone my craft and bring you a solid study of the word each week. I hope that you will continue to comment and share everything you feel moved by, and help grow the site and spread the love and the Word of God! Just look what we have done so far….

Be blessed and be a blessing and know I am praying for you. Won’t you pray for me?