Category Archives: Prayer

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July 20, 2014

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Prayer, Thanks & Praise

I JUST CALLED TO SAY “I LOVE YOU”

Morning, noon, and night my complaints and groans go up to him, and he will hear my voice. [Psalm 55:17 (GW)]

None of us enjoy getting a call or email from people only when they have a question that needs answering, a problem that need solving or simply need a favor. Friends share good news as well as bad. Maybe He’d like some good news now and then; give Him a call today!

I just called to say I love you
I just called to say how much I care
I just called to say I love you
And I mean it from the bottom of my heart [Stevie Wonder]

Call to me, and I will answer you; I will tell you wonderful and marvelous things that you know nothing about. [Jeremiah 33:3 (GW)]

 

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July 15, 2014

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Challenges & Difficulty, God's Promises, Prayer

JEHOVAH JIREH – GOD PROVIDES

And Abraham calleth the name of that place `Jehovah-Jireh,’ because it is said this day in the mount, `Jehovah doth provide.’ [Genesis 22:14 (YLT)]

Abraham gave that place the name “The Lord will give us what we need.” And it is said to this day, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be given.” [Genesis 22:14 (NLV)]

Since we were going away for the weekend, I carefully copied all of my devotion material (drafts, unposted drafts, meditation ideas, favorite verses, photos, etc.) onto a flash drive so I could work on my laptop. As I unpacked the laptop later that evening, the flash drive was missing. It was still resting comfortably in the slot of my PC at home! More upsetting to me was that, as I’d grabbed my briefcase on the way out, a voice in my head said, “Do you want to check for the flash drive?” Pride responded, “No need; I know what I’m doing!”

I’d counted on catching up on some writing, while enjoying the view and the birds, as I worked on a porch overlooking the peaceful lake. Everything I thought I needed, however, was in my office back home, so I did what comes naturally: I cried. Then, remembering that less than a month ago, I’d posted a prayer asking God for the wisdom to find a way around life’s obstacles, I prayed.

The following morning, God provided all I needed for a full day’s work. That day’s Bible reading led me to write three new meditations. If I count this meditation, my “disaster” led to four new messages! Not bad for a weekend’s work.

Yes, God will provide. He is our Jehovah-Jireh. We, however, have to be willing to stop our complaints (and tears) long enough not only to ask, but also to see His provision!

He gives us everything we need for life and for holy living. He gives it through His great power. [2 Peter 1:3a (NLV)]

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July 6, 2014

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Prayer

KEEP IT SIMPLE

The Lord sees the good people and listens to their prayers. [Psalm 34:15 (NCV)]

Prayer doesn’t have to be complicated. The simpler it is, the better it is. God has lots of prayers to hear so let’s not consume his time trying to impress him with verbiage or flowery language. This morning, let’s take a few moments to have the most important conversation of our day. Let’s talk with God. We don’t have to be eloquent or grammatically correct. Our words just need to be genuine and heartfelt. We mustn’t forget, however, that good conversationalists are also good listeners. We’ll have to stop talking long enough to hear what God has to say to us.

Here are the two best prayers I know: “Help me, Help me, Help me,” and “Thank you, Thank you, Thank You.” A woman I know says, for her morning prayer, “Whatever,” and then for the evening, “Oh, well,” but has conceded that these prayers are more palatable for people without children. [From “Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith” by Anne Lamott]

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July 1, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Love & Works, Miracles, Prayer

BLESSINGS IN ABUNDANCE

The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped. [Proverbs 11:25 (MSG)]

One day, a friend of mine decided to send a prayer out to the various people who crossed her path. Her first opportunity arose when a couple leisurely walked across the street against the light. From the designer attire and fur coat, it was obvious they were tourists. Instead of honking or angrily muttering “Move it, lady!” so she could make her turn, my friend asked God to give them a pleasant vacation.

Later that evening, my friend and her husband went out for a long-awaited “date night.” Who should be sitting right by them but the couple she’d seen earlier that day! My friend’s husband was wearing a shirt with the logo of his youth ministry on it. The other gentleman turned around and asked about the logo and the church; it turned out they, too, were Christians. During their conversation, my friend mentioned seeing them earlier that day and asking God to bless their holiday. Imagine his surprise when my friend’s husband was told the dinner check had been paid and their added joy when this same couple sent money to support their mission.

My point: the one who blesses is, indeed, blessed! We probably won’t get a free dinner or a check supporting our cause every time we bless someone, but we will always get a blessing in return!

When you’re kind to others, you help yourself; when you’re cruel to others, you hurt yourself. [Proverbs 11:17 (MSG)]

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June 23, 2014

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Challenges & Difficulty, Prayer, Trusting God

DISTRESS CALLS TO HEAVEN

Listen closely to my prayer, O Lord; hear my urgent cry. I will call to you whenever I’m in trouble, and you will answer me. [Psalm 86:6-7 (NLT)]

If there is a medical emergency, we’re supposed to call 911 and trust the first responders to know what to do. Yet, when we encounter a personal problem, we often hesitate to call on the best first responder: God. Thinking we can fix every problem on our own, we try our personal version of first aid to keep the relationship from fraying, the child from straying, and the finances from failing. It’s often not until we make a total mess of things that we do what we should have done first: call on God! Why is God our last resort when he should be our first call? Today, I choose to trust God and call on him first.

But in my distress I cried out to the Lord; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry to him reached his ears. [Psalm 18:6 (NLT)]

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June 20, 2014

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Fear & Doubt, Forgiveness, Joy, Prayer, Temptation & Sin

IT’S GARBAGE DAY

When I kept things to myself, I felt weak deep inside me. I moaned all day long. … Then I confessed my sins to you and didn’t hide my guilt. I said, “I will confess my sins to the Lord,” and you forgave my guilt. [Psalm 32:3, 5 (NCV)]

Most of us aren’t good at admitting when we’ve sinned or even misbehaved. In fact, some of us are pretty good at denying it altogether. When my children were small, the guilty party in our household always seemed to be someone named “Not me” or “I don’t know.” One child always said, “The fox did it!” Is it the fear of punishment or the fear of not being forgiven that so often prevents us from acknowledging our sins?

As a girl, whenever I was caught misbehaving or admitted to disobedience, I knew I could expect yelling, tears, humiliation, disgrace and punishment. Forgiveness wasn’t guaranteed and wrongs were often rehashed again and again. I knew I deserved the punishment, but it was forgiveness that I craved. So, like many people, I did my best to hide my problems, failures and transgressions. Hiding sins, however, is like hiding garbage; as the guilt and shame accumulate, sooner or later things are going to stink!

Our Heavenly Father  gives us a guarantee our earthly parents didn’t: unconditional forgiveness. It’s amazing how easy it is to confess one’s sins when assured of forgiveness. Today, if there is any guilt or shame stinking up your life, confess your sins to God and be restored. There’s no secret so shameful and no sin so vile that He won’t forgive. Toss the disgusting garbage of past transgressions and start fresh today.

Father, help us acknowledge our wrongs and accept responsibility for our transgressions. Listen to our litany of offenses as we offer our confessions to you. Empty our lives of guilt and shame; fill us with joy at your merciful love and promised forgiveness.

When God forgives us and purifies us of our sin, He also forgets it. Forgiveness results in God dropping the charges against us. [Billy Graham]

If we say we have no sin, we are fooling ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, he will forgive our sins, because we can trust God to do what is right. He will cleanse us from all the wrongs we have done. [1 John 1:8-9 (NCV)]