Matthew 21:22 And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive.
I have a bad habit of leaving church bulletins in my Bible right along with those cute, little, laminated, 2" by 3" cards. The ones by the cash register in the Christian book stores. You know the ones I'm talking about. The ones you can put in your pocket and pass on to a friend.
Well the other day while I was looking for verses to go along with my devotionals one of those cute little cards fell out of my Bible. It said "A day hemmed with prayer rarely unravels".
I started thinking back to another time in my life. Back when I thought just because I was a Christian I didn't need to say a prayer in the morning. Prayer at night was enough, after all I did thank God for giving me the day. What more could He want?
Fast forward to today living my Christian life. You see I accepted Jesus when I was sixteen but did not always live a life reflecting that. When in trouble I asked for help and God, who is a loving God, was always there to keep me safe and answer me.
I could go into detail but that's not the point. Now I start my day with prayer and end it in prayer. I praise God for allowing me to see another day. I thank Him at night for seeing me through the day He gave me. I have quiet time with Him in the morning when I read His Word. I talk to Him, not in words that are flowered, prim, and proper. That's not who I am. I talk to Him as if He is my daddy, and He is my daddy. My Heavenly daddy.
Most Gracious Abba Father thank you for listening to me when I am sad, when I am happy, and most of all thank you for being my Daddy. Amen.
Monday, August 20, 2012
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
God Is Just
Nehemiah Chapter 9: 29-31 NAS
Verse 29: God admonished them in order to turn them back to Thy law. Yet they acted arrogantly an did not listen to Thy commandments but sinned against Thine ordinances. They turned a stubborn shoulder and stiffened their neck, and would not listen.
When things weren't going their way they turned their backs on God and started worshiping idols. Reminds me of my childen. When they've been told no to something they go behind my back and do it any way. They know better than I do.
Verse 30: However, Thou didst bear with them for many years. Yet they would not give ear. Therefore Thou didst give them into the hand of the peoples of the lands. Although I do not like to have to punish my child for their wrong doing, I know that I need to because of their disobedience.
Verse 31: Nevertheless, in Thy great compassion Thou didst not make an end of them or forsake them. For Thou art a gracious and compassionate God. Because I love my child I will not forsake them for their wrong doing. Like my Heavenly Father, who loves me, I let my child know I do not like what they've done but I'll always love them.
Praise God for His love, because I know I have been a disobedient child at times in my life. I thought I knew what was best for me. How could I trust a God I could not see or feel? Life is the present and what I can touch and smell.
How wrong I was. After I confessed my sins and opened my heart to God, He has been present in my life. Its the peace I feel, the tugging on my heart when I see someone hurting. The wanting to help others who are less fortunate than myself. And I cannot out give my God. The more I give the more I receive.
Dear Father thank you for being my Father and present in my life. Amen.
Verse 29: God admonished them in order to turn them back to Thy law. Yet they acted arrogantly an did not listen to Thy commandments but sinned against Thine ordinances. They turned a stubborn shoulder and stiffened their neck, and would not listen.
When things weren't going their way they turned their backs on God and started worshiping idols. Reminds me of my childen. When they've been told no to something they go behind my back and do it any way. They know better than I do.
Verse 30: However, Thou didst bear with them for many years. Yet they would not give ear. Therefore Thou didst give them into the hand of the peoples of the lands. Although I do not like to have to punish my child for their wrong doing, I know that I need to because of their disobedience.
Verse 31: Nevertheless, in Thy great compassion Thou didst not make an end of them or forsake them. For Thou art a gracious and compassionate God. Because I love my child I will not forsake them for their wrong doing. Like my Heavenly Father, who loves me, I let my child know I do not like what they've done but I'll always love them.
Praise God for His love, because I know I have been a disobedient child at times in my life. I thought I knew what was best for me. How could I trust a God I could not see or feel? Life is the present and what I can touch and smell.
How wrong I was. After I confessed my sins and opened my heart to God, He has been present in my life. Its the peace I feel, the tugging on my heart when I see someone hurting. The wanting to help others who are less fortunate than myself. And I cannot out give my God. The more I give the more I receive.
Dear Father thank you for being my Father and present in my life. Amen.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
A HATRED HEART
Leviticus 19:17 NSA
You shall not hate your fellow countryman in your heart; you may surely reprove your neighbor, but shall not incur sin because of him.
I write this devotional with a heavy heart. A loved one is going through some trying times and has become hateful towards relatives because of things that have happened to her. Her children have turned from her. I've tried talking to her but now she has cut me off.
Life sometimes deals us a nasty blow. How do we deal from that blow? Do we wallow in the mire and make it miserable for everyone around us? Do we seek Jesus or do we handle it by ourselves?
God says in Psalm 9:9 that He will be a stronghold for the oppressed, in times of trouble. 1 Peter 3:14 says do not be troubled.
If God's Word tells us this then we should lean on Him. Go to Him and tell Him how you feel, tell Him you are hurting, that life isn't fair, and tell Him you don't know where to go from here. His presence will give you the peace you are seeking.
That doesn't mean everything is going to be better from there on out. Each day is a learning opportunity by going to Jesus and asking Him to carry your burdens and give you direction. He will never let you down. Life won't be easier but it's lighter knowing you have Him holding you up each day.
Dear Father in Heaven forgive me when I try to muddle through my life without your help. I pray you give me the strength to take each day at a time. Amen.
You shall not hate your fellow countryman in your heart; you may surely reprove your neighbor, but shall not incur sin because of him.
I write this devotional with a heavy heart. A loved one is going through some trying times and has become hateful towards relatives because of things that have happened to her. Her children have turned from her. I've tried talking to her but now she has cut me off.
Life sometimes deals us a nasty blow. How do we deal from that blow? Do we wallow in the mire and make it miserable for everyone around us? Do we seek Jesus or do we handle it by ourselves?
God says in Psalm 9:9 that He will be a stronghold for the oppressed, in times of trouble. 1 Peter 3:14 says do not be troubled.
If God's Word tells us this then we should lean on Him. Go to Him and tell Him how you feel, tell Him you are hurting, that life isn't fair, and tell Him you don't know where to go from here. His presence will give you the peace you are seeking.
That doesn't mean everything is going to be better from there on out. Each day is a learning opportunity by going to Jesus and asking Him to carry your burdens and give you direction. He will never let you down. Life won't be easier but it's lighter knowing you have Him holding you up each day.
Dear Father in Heaven forgive me when I try to muddle through my life without your help. I pray you give me the strength to take each day at a time. Amen.
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