“Our friends, we want you to know the truth about those who have died, so that you will not be sad, as are those who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will take back with Jesus those who have died believing in him.”—1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 (GNT)
Read moreSpring Cleaning
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”—Matthew 28: 19-20
Read moreSharing Kindness Wherever You Go
“No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”—1 John 4:12
Read moreWhere Can God Use You?
“And the King will say, 'I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’—Matthew 25:40 (NLT)
Read moreA Thorn in the Flesh
"even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.—2 Corinthians 12: 7-10
Read moreGod Cares About the Small Stuff
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.”—James 1:5 (NLT)
Read moreFruits of the Spirit
“God's Spirit makes us loving, happy, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled. There is no law against behaving in any of these ways.”—Galatians 5:22-23 (CEV)
Read moreGod's Will or My Will?
How are you able to discern when something is the will of God or not? What I have found that is when I am doing something that is MY idea, I find myself frustrated because I am depleted mentally, physically and spiritually. However when something I am doing is God orchestrated I feel energized and alive.
Read moreThe Gift of Noticing
Pray Specifically
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”—1 John 5:14
I used to be the kind of person that would pray pretty generic prayers. Lord, bless my family. Let us have a good day. Not that there is anything wrong with praying those types of prayers because at least I was attempting to communicate with God. However when I prayed like that, how could I see God answering those prayers?
While I have been praying for my daughter about her future, I was specific. I prayed, Lord I pray for Your will for Danielle with graduate school. I know you will close or open doors for her and give her clarity on her future. I thank You that You know what is best for her. When she got her acceptance to graduate school, that was an answer for something I specifically prayed. God clearly opened the door for her to continue her education.
I keep a journal where I include scripture that God is speaking to me as well as prayers. I am able to go back and read it and see what prayers have or haven’t been answered. Some days when something is heavy on my heart, I will write them in the little prayer box that I have so that I can put a check mark and move that piece of paper to the bottom of the stack. Once that box is full, I will be able to go back through them be reminded of God’s promise to me in 1 John 5:14.
Do you believe that God hears your prayers? If keeping a prayer journal/list isn’t something that you do, I would encourage you to start one this year. You will be amazed at how God is working in your life, even when you don’t think He is. You will be able to go back through it and see how God has been by your side and directing your steps. What you write doesn’t have to be eloquent. Write as if you are writing a letter to a close friend. Keep it simple.
You will find as you pray more detailed prayers, that not only does your faith increase but you are also more aware when God has answered them. This will form a more intimate relationship with your Heavenly Father.
Dear Lord,
According to Your Word, I can have confidence that when I pray according to Your will, You hear me and will answer my prayers Your way and in Your perfect time. Help me to lay my burdens at Your feet. I thank You that You use my prayer life to form a more intimate bond with me. I praise You for Your love, grace and mercy that you extend to me every second of every day. Open my eyes to those around me that I need to pray for specifically this week. It is in the name of Jesus that I pray these things. Amen.
Memory Verse:
“Do everything in love.” —1 Corinthians 16:14
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