It is not unreasonable to say that all real growth in our spiritual life – victory over temptation, peace in our time of trouble, hope in times of disappointment or loss depend on the practice of prayer. When we think God doesn’t hear our prayers, He is not ignoring us. Sometimes, our prayers are not the best thing for us, or perhaps the timing isn’t right, or maybe even a sinful habit is hindering our prayers. Remember, He knows what’s best for us. Sometimes He says yes, sometimes He says no, and sometimes his answer is not yet. He wants to hear from us. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says, “Pray without ceasing.” An anonymous author said, “A child of God ought to expect answers to prayer. God means every prayer to have an answer; and not a single real prayer can fail of its effect in Heaven.” So let’s be persistent in our prayer life. God bless you!
Facing Our Mountains
Mountain climbing is hard; I know because I’ve done it in my military training. When you look at a rock formation from afar, it seems smooth, but when you get close, you can see the bumps, cracks, and ledges. Those are the very things that enable climbers to conquer a mountain. In life, we face many mountains filled with crags and bumps, and as we handle them, it trains us to conquer our mountains. Paul said in Romans 8:38, “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” I know God will be there to help you whenever you face a mountain. God bless you!
How Do We Begin?
Do you know if you’ll go to heaven when you die? It’s a good opening line when evangelizing. However, many of us are afraid to start the conversation with a stranger because we’re afraid of rejection, criticism, and maybe even anger and hostility. Honestly, we have nothing to be afraid of because the Holy Spirit will help us. John 15:26 says, “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me.” We have nothing to fear, so let’s go forth and tell others of His saving grace. God bless you!
Can’t Sleep?
There are so many people who struggle with getting to sleep or staying asleep. Our minds are filled with clutter, things not done today, or things yet to be done tomorrow or maybe concerns about the future. There are sleep aids to help us, like melatonin or zzzzquil, and even sounds like brown, blue or green noise, but the truth is, we don’t need sleep aids when we have God. Psalm 4:8 says, “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.” Who needs medication when we already have the great physicians, amen? God bless you!
What We All Long to Hear
Encouragement, acknowledgment, affirmation. All words meant to lift us up. We long for it from our spouse, our boss, our pastor. We all crave approval. It’s important to our growth and development as humans and as children of God. Matthew 3:17 says, “and suddenly a voice came from heaven saying, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Someday, hopefully we will hear those same sentiments when God tells us “Well done my good and faithful servant.” I look forward to that day. God bless you!
Courage – Even the least of us has it
Courage… a word normally used for heroes, not ordinary people. We, as God’s children, can be courageous in our work for him. I am reminded of an ordinary woman who was taken into the house of King Ahasuerus and rose to be queen. When her uncle Mordechai asked her to petition for the Jewish nation, she reminded him that anyone who came to the King without an invitation was subject to death. In Esther 4:16, she told Mordechai to have the Jews pray for her for three days and said she would go to the King, not according to the law. And she said, “and if I perish, I perish.” In the face of death, she showed great courage! How much more can we accomplish with that type of attitude and faith. God bless you as you reach others for Christ.
You Have Help!
Just because we’re saved doesn’t mean life will be a picnic. There are so many trails that each of us endure. It might be financial troubles, it might be sickness or the loss of a loved one, it might be an unwanted houseguest that causes you grief. In the midst of my issues, I am reminded of a song written by Gloria Gaither that says, “Because He lives (and my favorite part) I can face tomorrow… Lamentations 3:22-23 says, “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” Aren’t you comforted to know that no matter what we are facing, we are never alone. God bless you!
Have You Lost Something?
It’s easy for us to misplace things. Sometimes they are unimportant and we don’t spend a lot of time searching, but other times we lose something very valuable; we may even lose our way and don’t know where to look. If we are backsliding, there is an easy way to find our relationship with Christ. Jeremiah 29:13 says, “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” I pray that each of us doesn’t have to go looking, but if we do, we know where to look. God bless you!
Are You Willing?
The Lord needs us! There is a saying that 10% of the congregation does 90% of the work. It goes along with scripture when Jesus said the harvest is plenty, but the laborers are few. I want us to be quick to be available for the one who gave everything for us. 1 Samuel 3:10 says, “And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.” It only takes a willing heart to be his servant. Let’s gladly do his work while we can! God bless you.
Witnessing for the King
Wherever we are, we are his witness. Some may think that being a witness originated in the New Testament (Acts 1:8), but it really started in the Old Testament. The Jewish nation was told by God to be witnesses while they were in captivity. Isaiah 43:10a tells us, “Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen”; and 43:12b says “Therefore ye are my witnesses..” Witnessing for Christ is our responsibility, not only when it is easy or convenient, but for wherever God leads us. How about asking God to guide us to someone today who needs to hear the Good News! May He bless us and give us courage.
