Not yet...

"Prayer is how we partner with God in doing what He wants done."  Ron and Mary Bennett

God answers prayer.  Sometimes the answer is "yes",  sometimes "no", and sometimes "not yet."  I think the hardest answer for us to deal with is "not yet".  Why does God sometimes delay in answering? Why does God sometimes make us wait? His word says to "pray without ceasing" but does that mean that we should pray the same thing over and over again?  Perhaps.  When we continue in prayer, even for the same thing, we are increasing our trust and dependence on Him.  We are also learning to listen to Him.  As we persist, He works in our hearts and teaches us to desire what is good and right.  He changes us and our desires into His image and His desires.  We must remember this:  "Prayer is how we partner with God in doing what He wants done."  It is not getting God to do what we want...

We must also remember that prayer is much more than making requests of God for things and situations that we want changed.  Prayer involves several things that we can easily remember through the acronym ACTS. 

The "A" stands for adoration or worship.  We should always come before Him proclaiming who He is and giving Him the praise He deserves.  We should come to a time of prayer with a worshipful heart so that our focus begins with Him, not ourselves.  God's word says, "You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."  James 4:2-3 (NIV)

The "C" stands for confession.  We must confess anything that would stand between us and the Lord.  "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  1 John 1:9 (NASB)

The "T" stands for thanksgiving.  We should practice daily thankfulness, thankfulness for who God is, for how He loves us, for all He's given us.  "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."  Philippians 4:6 (NASB)

And finally, the "S" stands for supplication. The definition of supplication is: to make a humble entreaty, especially to pray to God.  (Merriam-Webster) This is where we lay our requests before the Lord.  When we lay our requests before the Lord,  we leave them in His hands to do with as He wills.  We won't always get the answers we want; sometimes what we want isn't what is best.  God always promises our ultimate good.  When we learn to trust Him even when we don't understand or don't get what we want, then we have entered true communion with Him, then we know that God's "not yet" is what is good, and right, and best for us without a doubt...  And this is where we learn that "Prayer is how we partner with God in doing what He wants done."

"Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed. The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with. Elijah, for instance, human just like us, prayed hard that it wouldn't rain, and it didn't—not a drop for three and a half years. Then he prayed that it would rain, and it did. The showers came and everything started growing again."  James 5:16-18 (The Message)

Dear Lord,  Let us learn and grow in You through our prayer lives.  Let us hear Your voice and trust Your will that whatever happens in this life will ultimately be what is best for our lives and the lives of those around us.

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Get Serious

James 4 (The Message)

Get Serious

 ^1-2Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves. You lust for what you don't have and are willing to kill to get it. You want what isn't yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it.  ^2-3You wouldn't think of just asking God for it, would you? And why not? Because you know you'd be asking for what you have no right to. You're spoiled children, each wanting your own way.
 ^4-6You're cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and his way. And do you suppose God doesn't care? The proverb has it that "he's a fiercely jealous lover." And what he gives in love is far better than anything else you'll find. It's common knowledge that "God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble."
 ^7-10So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he'll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it's the only way you'll get on your feet.
 ^11-12Don't bad-mouth each other, friends. It's God's Word, his Message, his Royal Rule, that takes a beating in that kind of talk. You're supposed to be honoring the Message, not writing graffiti all over it. God is in charge of deciding human destiny. Who do you think you are to meddle in the destiny of others?

Nothing but a Wisp of Fog

 ^13-15And now I have a word for you who brashly announce, "Today—at the latest, tomorrow—we're off to such and such a city for the year. We're going to start a business and make a lot of money." You don't know the first thing about tomorrow. You're nothing but a wisp of fog, catching a brief bit of sun before disappearing. Instead, make it a habit to say, "If the Master wills it and we're still alive, we'll do this or that."  ^16-17As it is, you are full of your grandiose selves. All such vaunting self-importance is evil. In fact, if you know the right thing to do and don't do it, that, for you, is evil.

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Pray More

"Every time we pray our horizon is altered, our attitude to things is altered~~not sometimes but every time...and the amazing thing is that we don't pray more."
~Oswald Chambers 

“When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people,  if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there."  2 Chronicles 7:13-16 (NIV)

 "Jesus told them a story showing that it was necessary for them to pray consistently and never quit. He said,  'There was once a judge in some city who never gave God a thought and cared nothing for people. A widow in that city kept after him: "My rights are being violated. Protect me!"  He never gave her the time of day. But after this went on and on he said to himself, "I care nothing what God thinks, even less what people think. But because this widow won't quit badgering me, I'd better do something and see that she gets justice—otherwise I'm going to end up beaten black-and-blue by her pounding."'  Then the Master said, 'Do you hear what that judge, corrupt as he is, is saying? So what makes you think God won't step in and work justice for his chosen people, who continue to cry out for help? Won't he stick up for them? I assure you, he will. He will not drag his feet. But how much of that kind of persistent faith will the Son of Man find on the earth when he returns?'"Luke 18:1-8 (The Message)

"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality."  Romans 12:9-13 (NIV)

"Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out."  Ephesians 6:13-18 (The Message) 

"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."  Colossians 4:2-6 (NIV)

"Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live."  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (The Message) 

Dear Lord,  Teach us how to pray consistently and to never give up.  Help us to pray more, longer and harder than ever before.  Find us having that kind of persistent faith when you return. 

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The Greater Work

"Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work."  Oswald Chambers

How many times do we work through every possible senario, every action item of our own, and then when nothing has worked, we decide that our only option now is to pray. Prayer is not a last resort; it is a first response.   Prayer not only changes things, it is our living link to God.  He longs to hear us communicate with him and promises to answer us.

"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."  James 5:16 (NIV)

"You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."  James 4:2b-3 (NASB)

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!  Let your gentle spirit be known to all men.  The Lord is near.  Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.   Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you."  Philippians 4:4-9 (NASB)

"When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men.  Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.
But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.  And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words.  So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.  Pray, then, in this way:  'Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.  And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.]'"  Matthew 6:5-13 (NASB)

"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful."  Colossians 4:2 (NIV)

"Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live."  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (The Message)

"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;  rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer,
contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality."  Romans 12:10-13 (NASB)

"There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful than that of a continual conversation with God."  Brother Lawrence

 Dear Lord,  Let us be faithful in prayer, strong in Your Holy Spirit, thankful, watchful, asking, desiring Your will, fervent, effectual, selfless, devoted.

Have a wonderful weekend!

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The World is not a Stage/Pray with Simplicity

Don't miss out on both versions of the Lord's Prayer!  The Message has an interesting perspective but I couldn't leave out the traditional NIV version.  Comparing translations is also a very good exercise!

 

Matthew 6:1-15 (NIV)

Giving to the Needy

 ¹Be careful not to do your "acts of righteousness" before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.  ²So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. ³But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ⁴so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Prayer

 ⁵And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. ⁶But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. ⁷And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. ⁸Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.  ⁹This, then, is how you should pray:
  "Our Father in heaven,
   hallowed be your name,
 ¹⁰your kingdom come,
   your will be done
      on earth as it is in heaven.
 ¹¹Give us today our daily bread.
 ¹²Forgive us our debts,
      as we also have forgiven our debtors.
 ¹³And lead us not into temptation,
   but deliver us from the evil one."
¹⁴For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ¹⁵But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Matthew 6:1-15 (The Message)

The World Is Not a Stage

 ¹ Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don't make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won't be applauding. ^2-4When you do something for someone else, don't call attention to yourself. You've seen them in action, I'm sure—"playactors" I call them— treating prayer meeting and street corner alike as a stage, acting compassionate as long as someone is watching, playing to the crowds. They get applause, true, but that's all they get. When you help someone out, don't think about how it looks. Just do it—quietly and unobtrusively. That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out.

Pray with Simplicity

 ⁵And when you come before God, don't turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for stardom! Do you think God sits in a box seat?  ⁶Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.
 ^7-13The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They're full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don't fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this:
   Our Father in heaven,
   Reveal who you are.
   Set the world right;
   Do what's best— as above, so below.
   Keep us alive with three square meals.
   Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
   Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
   You're in charge!
   You can do anything you want!
   You're ablaze in beauty!
      Yes. Yes. Yes.
 ^14-15In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can't get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God's part.

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A Fight to the Finish

 Ephesians 6:10-18 (NIV)

The Armor of God


"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."

Ephesians 6:10-18 (The Message)

A Fight to the Finish

"And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.  Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out."

I couldn't decide which translation to use so I thought you'd appreciate both!  Everyday we should make a conscious effort to put of the full armor of God.   We are to be prepared and as believers, we should be aware that attacks from our enemy will come.  We should use what God has given us for the battle eveyday!

Dear Lord,  Thank you for all of the pieces of armor which You have given us: Truth, Righteousness, Peace, Faith, Salvation, the Word of God, and Prayer.  Please help us to remember  to put them on and use them daily! 

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Today...

Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts....  I know that I had a post on this verse just a few days ago.  But Today is another day, a new day, a day that the Lord has made.  Are you rejoicing?  Are you giving Him all the glory?  Have you spoken with Him this morning?  Every day is another day that you can give over to the Lord of the Universe or a day that you can be in charge of yourself.  Which will it be?

"This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."  Psalm 118:24 (ESV) This morning and every morning, commit your day to Him.  Allow Him to direct your minutes and your hours.  Let Him decide what is important, what should be done, who should be ministered to, who needs your help today.

"Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips. So that your trust may be in the LORD, I teach you today, even you."  Proverbs 22:17-19 (NIV)

"The Message is as true among you today as when you first heard it. It doesn't diminish or weaken over time. It's the same all over the world. The Message bears fruit and gets larger and stronger, just as it has in you. From the very first day you heard and recognized the truth of what God is doing, you've been hungry for more. It's as vigorous in you now as when you learned it from our friend and close associate Epaphras. He is one reliable worker for Christ! I could always depend on him. He's the one who told us how thoroughly love had been worked into your lives by the Spirit."  Colossians 1:5 (The Message)

"You've been raised on the Message of the faith and have followed sound teaching. Now pass on this counsel to the followers of Jesus there, and you'll be a good servant of Jesus. Stay clear of silly stories that get dressed up as religion. Exercise daily in God—no spiritual flabbiness, please! Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever. You can count on this. Take it to heart. This is why we've thrown ourselves into this venture so totally. We're banking on the living God, Savior of all men and women, especially believers."  1 Timothy 4:6 (The Message)

"Now, if we can only keep a firm grip on this bold confidence, we're the house! That's why the Holy Spirit says, Today, please listen; don't turn a deaf ear as in 'the bitter uprising,' that time of wilderness testing! Even though they watched me at work for forty years, your ancestors refused to let me do it my way; over and over they tried my patience. And I was provoked, oh, so provoked! I said, 'They'll never keep their minds on God; they refuse to walk down my road.'  Exasperated, I vowed, 'They'll never get where they're going, never be able to sit down and rest.'"  Hebrews 3:6 (The Message)

"So watch your step, friends. Make sure there's no evil unbelief lying around that will trip you up and throw you off course, diverting you from the living God. For as long as it's still God's Today, keep each other on your toes so sin doesn't slow down your reflexes. If we can only keep our grip on the sure thing we started out with, we're in this with Christ for the long haul. These words keep ringing in our ears: 'Today, please listen; don't turn a deaf ear as in the bitter uprising.'"   Hebrews 3:12 (The Message)

"For as long, then, as that promise of resting in him pulls us on to God's goal for us, we need to be careful that we're not disqualified. We received the same promises as those people in the wilderness, but the promises didn't do them a bit of good because they didn't receive the promises with faith. If we believe, though, we'll experience that state of resting. But not if we don't have faith. Remember that God said, Exasperated, I vowed, 'They'll never get where they're going, never be able to sit down and rest.'  God made that vow, even though he'd finished his part before the foundation of the world. Somewhere it's written, 'God rested the seventh day, having completed his work,' but in this other text he says, 'They'll never be able to sit down and rest.' So this promise has not yet been fulfilled. Those earlier ones never did get to the place of rest because they were disobedient. God keeps renewing the promise and setting the date as today, just as he did in David's psalm, centuries later than the original invitation: 'Today, please listen, don't turn a deaf ear...'"  Hebrews 4:1-7 (The Message)

"And so this is still a live promise. It wasn't canceled at the time of Joshua; otherwise, God wouldn't keep renewing the appointment for "today." The promise of "arrival" and "rest" is still there for God's people. God himself is at rest. And at the end of the journey we'll surely rest with God. So let's keep at it and eventually arrive at the place of rest, not drop out through some sort of disobedience."  Hebrews 4:8 (The Message)

"Since everything here today might well be gone tomorrow, do you see how essential it is to live a holy life? Daily expect the Day of God, eager for its arrival. The galaxies will burn up and the elements melt down that day—but we'll hardly notice. We'll be looking the other way, ready for the promised new heavens and the promised new earth, all landscaped with righteousness."  2 Peter 3:11 (The Message)

"For he says, 'In a favorable time I listened to you,and in a day of salvation I have helped you.' Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation."  2 Corinthians 6:2 (ESV)

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."  Hebrews 13:8 (NASB)

Dear Lord,  Thank you that You keep renewing the promise and setting the date as TODAY!  Let us listen to You today; let us ask You what You would have us do today.  Thank you that You are the same yesterday and today and forever.

Have a wonderful weekend!

More Than Conquerors

 Romans 8:26-39 (NIV)

 ²⁶In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. ²⁷And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.
 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. ²⁹For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. ³⁰And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.  ³¹What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³²He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? ³³Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. ³⁴Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. ³⁵Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ³⁶As it is written:  "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." ³⁷No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Dear Lord,  Thank you for these precious promises.  If God is for us, who can be against us?  Nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  In all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us!   Amen, Lord Jesus!

Praise Him in the Rain

"I lift up my eyes to the hills-where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip-he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD watches over you—the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day,nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore." Psalm 121:1-8 (NIV)

"Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him." Job 13:15 (KJV)

"The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him." Exodus 15:2 (ESV)

"Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence." Psalm 42:5 (NASB)

Our afflictions are beneficial to us in many ways. When we are in need, we are more likely to call upon the name of the Lord in prayer. We may go along in life doing things our own way in our own time and as long as things are going well we find ourselves forgetting to spend time with Him, forgetting to seek Him, forgetting to allow Him to lead and guide our lives. When something difficult comes along, we suddenly remember from where our help comes and we finally pray...We turn to the Lord in the storms of life. We seek His help when things are not going as we had planned. If good times make us forget, then surely bad times make us remember...

Afflictions keep us from departing from His presence. We stay close to the Lord when times are tough. We continually seek Him when we have no where else to turn and we do not know what else to do. He would rather that we seek Him first and all of the time, not just when we are in need. We should work on having our lives be focused on Him every day, in the rain and in the sunshine.

Afflictions teach us the will of God. Sometimes when we are afflicted, when things are more than we can bear, we finally look outside of ourselves at the world around us. We notice that there are others who are more afflicted than we are. And if we are seeking God through our afflictions, we can find great solace and reward in serving Him by serving others. The will of God is simple. He wants us to be in a relationship with Him, and He wants us to be transformed into Him image. What better way to become like Him than to serve His people, share His love, be an instrument in His hands.

Afflictions promote the glory of God. God's glory can be seen in us when we handle our afflictions differently than the world may handle them. If difficult times come into our lives and we still serve Him and we still praise Him and we still trust Him and we still give Him the glory; wow...what a powerful testimony to our God who deserves all honor and power and glory forever and ever, amen. If we trust Him openly, no matter what happens in our lives, then we have become living testaments of the Living God and His power to transform our lives into praise even in the rain...

Dear Lord, Help us to know that when trials come, our focus should not need to change if we are living a life of faith in You every day. Please cause us all to daily lift our lives up to You, so that when the storms come, we will be ready because we know where our help comes from. Help us to praise You in the sunshine and the rain...

Photograph Courtesy of Sean Zellmer

Prayer Triage

I was recently talking about a school where I taught in Southern California. It was one of the best run schools I have ever been associated with. When we had safety drills, we also had triage drills. Thankfully, we never had a real incident but I was very glad that I wasn't the one having to make the decisions on who was most in need of treatment. But it got me thinking about prayer and how I really do perform prayer triage.

I've had several urgent prayer requests brought to my attention over the weekend. The first was from a friend who has a son serving in Afghanistan. Her son had just lost a buddy and had another buddy whose leg had been blown off by an IED. This is a serious request, not only for the young man who has lost his leg, the family who has lost a beloved son, but also for my friend's son who is now dealing with the horror of this situation. Now it is time to focus on praying for these men and their families fervently, perhaps laying aside for a short time those less pressing prayer requests.

The second urgent request was for the terrorist bombings in Uganda. At least 50 people were killed in three synchronized bombings. A young American man working with the organization Invisible Children was among the victims. An IJM intern in Uganda sent out the request via her blog. To read more about it check out this New York Times article: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/12/world/africa/12uganda.html?_r=4&ref=global-home

There are only so many hours in a day and in this life there may be times when we have to perform prayer triage. Since we cannot physically pray for every prayer request every day for everyone, we must sometimes make difficult choices as to which prayer requests are most important today. It doesn't mean that we do not return to praying for those other issues on another day, but it does mean that today we may have to focus on something more urgent. The point being that whatever we are doing, we can more than likely be praying and we should allow the Holy Spirit to direct us in our decisions on who most urgently needs prayer today.

Triage according to Merriam-Webster is the sorting of and allocation of treatment to patients and especially battle and disaster victims according to a system of priorities designed to maximize the number of survivors, the sorting of patients (as in an emergency room) according to the urgency of their need for care. It is also the assigning of priority order to projects on the basis of where funds and other resources can be best used, are most needed, or are most likely to achieve success. Prayer triage would then be the prioritizing of prayers for today, the sorting of requests according to the urgency of their need for care. Just be sure that you are using God's system of priorities and not your own. And most of all make sure that you are praying without ceasing as it says in 1 Thessalonians 5:15-22 (ESV), "See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil."

"Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much." James 5:16 (NASB)

"Yet give attention to your servant's prayer and his plea for mercy, O LORD my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day." 1 Kings 8:28 (NIV)

"When disasters strike, famine or catastrophe, crop failure or disease, locust or beetle, or when an enemy attacks their defenses—calamity of any sort—any prayer that's prayed from anyone at all among your people Israel, hearts penetrated by the disaster, hands and arms thrown out to this Temple for help, Listen from your home in heaven. Forgive and go to work on us. Give what each deserves, for you know each life from the inside (you're the only one with such "inside knowledge"!) so that they'll live before you in lifelong reverent and believing obedience on this land you gave our ancestors." 1 Kings 8:37 (The Message)

"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." Colossians 2:4 (NIV)

"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is." Ephesians 5:15-17 (ESV)

Dear Lord, Please make us faithful prayer warriors who put into effect Your priorities for prayer. Give us wisdom and understanding concerning what You would have us pray for today. And give us a heart for prayer and a heart that prays without ceasing making use of our time for the days are evil...

No Matter What Happens, I'll Still be Loving You

Dear Lord, No matter what comes my way, whether it be heartbreak, confusion, disease, disappointment, persecution, poverty, pain, suffering, difficulties, injustice, or death, I'll still be loving You. You alone are faithful and true. You alone will never leave me nor forsake me. You alone will always love me, always save me. Even if I cry tears of sorrow and walk through the dark valley of suffering, You will always be there for me, healing me. You will never turn Your back on me. You will teach me to walk as You walk as long as I continue on Your path. Please let nothing distract me from Your truth and Your love. No Matter what happens, I'll still be loving You...

Life is sweet and beautiful not because it is easy, but because I have a Savior who loves me no matter what.

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:4-9 (NASB)

Replace Self Talk with God Talk

We all talk to ourselves...sometimes in our heads and sometimes out loud! The most damaging is usually what we tell ourselves in our heads. You're so stupid! Why did you do that! Can't you do anything right? You're not good enough. You don't have your act together. Some of this stems from things other people have said to us in the past, some of them come from comparing ourselves to others, and some come because we have allowed Satan a foothold in our lives.

This negative self talk is counter productive; it damages us in ways we can't even imagine. No matter what the source of your poor "self" image and your negative "self" talk, remember that you are still focusing on your "self". Take your eyes off of your "self" and put them on God. Replace your self talk with God talk. I do believe that if you are talking to God, you will not be able to talk negatively to your "self". As a matter of fact, you won't be focused on your "self" at all. You will be focused on the God of the universe who loves you and gave Himself up for you!

"I love those who love me; And those who diligently seek me will find me." Proverbs 8:17

"but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD." Jeremiah 9:24 (NASB)

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. For through the grace given to me I say to every man among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith." Romans 12:2-3 (NASB)

I also say to you, do not think more often of your "self" than you ought to think!

"Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NASB)

"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things." Philippians 4:8 (NASB)

Do these things today! Whenever a negative thought about your "self" pops up, begin to pray, start to rejoice, count your blessings, give praise to God, sing of His righteousness; and...

"That in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth, each one of you, with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity." Ephesians 4:22-27 (NASB)

"Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." James 4:7 (NASB)

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee." Isaiah 26:3 (KJV)

Dear Lord, Please help me to resist the temptation to focus on my "self". Renew my mind; keep me focused on You and help me to have the strength to continually think on these things.