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"This is the confidence we have in
approaching God:
that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears
us.
And if we know that he hears us -- whatever we ask --
we know that we
have what we asked of him."
I Jn. 5:14-15
This Bible passage is
used when talking about the importance of praying, because God does answer
prayers.
However, one of the
first comments is generally: "God didn't answer my prayer like I asked Him
to." That's because some people look upon God as the ultimate
bell-boy. He is there at our beck-and-call to do whatever we want Him to.
The purpose of prayer is to change us. We need to adjust ourselves to God's will, not our own. God's will is perfect and He wants to give each of us, as his children. only the best. He alone knows that -- we don't.
The more we get to
know God daily through His word and the more we pray, the more we will become
in tune with God's will for our lives. Since His will is always best,
this is also what we should seek and want -- His will to be done on earth as it
is in heaven.
God does hear. He
does answer prayers, and we will always receive the very best according to His
will.
I have been hearing the song “Redeemed” by Big Daddy Weave
for some time now and have always liked it; just the title of the song is a
huge statement, which always would catch my attention even though I would seem
to miss the rest of the words to the song.
I would be hearing the bits of this song more and more it seemed,
finally whilst listening to KLOVE at my desk I was able to actually listen to
the complete song and hear the words. I
fell in love! I could so feel this song
in my heart. It is like it was written
for me. In reality it WAS written for me and for you and for
all of us sinners that God loves so much that He saved us from ourselves.
He
has redeemed mysoul
from going downinto
the pit,
and
my life shalllook
upon the light.’
Job 33:28
English Standard Version (ESV)
Listening
to the words of the song hit home with me on so many levels…
“Seems like all I could see was the struggle”,
I have
been blinded during a struggle and I literally can’t see past it.
“Haunted by ghosts that lived in my past, bound up by
shackles from all of my failures”,
I have spent so
many countless hours questioning my decisions of the past, feeling I have done
things so wrong, telling myself that I have made so many mistakes.
“All my life I have been called
unworthy, Named by the voice of my shame and regret”,
I have committed so many sins, and how can I be worthy? How can He love me? All I have been is a great sinner that has
turned my back on Him over and over again.
Then I listen to these words…..
“Daughter
stop fighting the fight that’s already been won”...... “But, when I hear you
whisper “child lift up your head” I remember Oh God you’re not done with me
yet.”…. “I’ve got a new name, a new life I’m not the same and a hope that will
carry me home.”
“I am redeemed, you set me free
So, I’ll shake off these heavy chains
Wipe away every stain
Cause I’m not who I used to be
I am redeemed…..I’m redeemed”
I
have swept awayyour
offenses like a cloud,
your
sins like the morning mist. Returnto me, for
I have redeemedyou.”
Isaiah 44:22
New International Version (NIV)
I have been playing this song all
week long…and whilst driving alone in my vehicle, repeating it over and over at
a decibel that many would find unacceptable.
But, you know what that is okay with me, because I am REDEEMED! Since I have found and treasured the words
to this song, I have walked a bit lighter, smiled a bit more, and been able to
feel a lighter heart over this last week.
How could I not be happy that my Father loves me so much, and I must
love myself also, as He loves me, all of me! I have the greatest forgiveness of all, and
with that I will remember to forgive myself.
It doesn’t matter what the past looks like, my future is beautiful with Sonshine through all my days.
In
him we have redemptionthrough
his blood,
the
forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the richesof God’s grace
A simple definition of unforgiveness is a grudge
against someone who has offended you or not having the compassion to forgive.
Just hearing the word "unforgiveness" weighs me down and brings
oppression to my heart.
Jesus teaches us in Ephesians 4:31-32 that we
are to
"Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking
be put
away from you, with all malice.
And be kind to one another, tenderhearted,
forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you."
Jesus even goes
as far as teaching us that if we do not have in our hearts the ability to
forgive, God will not forgive us. Now those are very strong words in my
opinion, which make me think twice the intense importance of forgiving others.
There is not one person on this earth that does
not deserve forgiveness from us. Because we in turn have wronged others and
offended others and desire forgiveness, so goes the same for others. When
we choose to forgive, beautiful dynamics take place in our life.God's grace,
mercy and freedom is released to us as well as strengthening our relationship
with our Jesus.
Let us choose to forgive today so we can
experience beautiful freedom in Christ along with greater intimacy with the
Lord!
I don’t believe that I
am the only one who feels this way, but oftentimes I think that happiness for
me is meant to be short lived. I know the truth; God wants me to be happy. He
wants me to experience unlimited joy. He wants all of His children to be free
from worry, heartache, and pain. However, it seems like every time I start to
feel happy something comes along that robs me of my happiness. There is always
something or someone who knocks the wind out of my sail. I am left feeling very
weary. We are definitely living in the last days. The enemy is working overtime
to destroy homes, to destroy lives, and to steal souls. Satan wants us to be
overwhelmed, to feel defeated, and to give up the good fight.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 reads,
“But understand this, that in
the last days there will come times of difficulty.
For people will be lovers of
self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant,
abusive, disobedient to their parents,
ungrateful, unholy,
heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control,
brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, l
overs of
pleasure rather than lovers of God, having
the appearance of godliness, but
denying its power. Avoid such people.”
Phew, it’s no wonder why true followers of Christ
are troubled and feel weary.
The good news is this….
We do not have to fight the battle alone. As
Christians, we should be ready and willing to step up to the plate when a
brother or sister begins to feel defeated. We should cover them with words of
encouragement and prayer. If you wonder if something is wrong with someone, you
are probably right. The Holy Spirit is probably talking to you. Go to that
person and be a shoulder to lean on, without judgment.
Most importantly, remember, if God is for us who
can be against us? The Creator Himself is ready, willing, and able to give us
what we need during times of trials and tribulations. He helps us fight the
battles. He desires for us to be victorious. When we are feeling weary, He
gives us strength and whatever we need to carry on and finish the race. All we
need to do is ask and believe. Jesus said that if we have faith like the grain
of a mustard seed we can move mountains. When you’ve done all that you can do
be still and wait upon the Lord.
Isaiah 40:31 reads,
“But they who wait for theLord
shall renew
their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and
not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.”
Written by
S.G.H.
The Song – You Raise Me Up- by Selah
When I am down and oh,
my soul so weary
When troubles come and my heart burdened be
Then I am still and wait here in the silence
Until You come and sit awhile with me
You raise me up so I can
stand on mountains
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas
I am strong when I am on Your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be
You raise me up so I can
stand on mountains
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas
I am strong when I am on Your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be
There is no life, no
life without its hunger
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly
But when You come and I am filled with wonder
Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity
You raise me up so I can
stand on mountains
(You raise me up, I can stand on mountains)
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas
(Walk on stormy seas)
And I am strong when I
am on Your shoulders
Oh, you raise me up to more than I can be
You raise me up to more than I can be
Laughter, loud whispers, shy smiles, and tilted back chairs fill the room as I greet the group of junior high students each Sunday. They are a fascinating mix of child, teenager, and adult as we tackle a curriculum intended to prepare them to meet the challenges of life with God's wisdom.
One of the side benefits of teaching is learning and re-learning. Some of it's fun, like being able to say the books of the bible in order (with the help of a song). Other times it's reviewing important principles explained at their most basic, and clarified with scriptures.
A recent lesson on 'resisting temptation' included making a list of temptations on the board that applied to our class. The question was "When you are sent to do your home work, what kinds of things are distracting to you?" It was a very easy list to make: playing on cell phone, watching TV, listening to music, socializing, eating junk food, sleeping, etc. Then we made a list of what they "Know they should do." This list was serious: homework was 1st, followed by chores, exercise, eat healthy, go to practice, pray, read bible, practice music, and (after some prompting) obey parents.
Then we came up with a short list of "How to resist temptation": avoid it, think about something else, do something else, memorize scriptures, flee, and pray. We read lots of verses about God making a way for you to flee temptation, that there's always a way out, that temptations may feel strong but they are not stronger than God's Spirit in us. Our final verse follows:
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit,
and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.
They are in conflict with each other,
so that you are not to do what you want.
Galatians 5:16-17 NIV
This bit of a tongue twister verse had us all saying "Wait, what?" So we defined our terms. The list of temptations equals our flesh. The list of what we know we should do equals the Spirit; and the word contrary can also mean opposite.
So the flesh wants what is opposite from the Spirit, and the Spirit wants what is opposite from the flesh. Therefore, recognizing when something is from the flesh and when something is from the Spirit is essential for our understanding (see Proverbs 4:7). Then we can use that understanding to make wise choices.
Dear Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness to give wisdom to whoever will ask (James 1:5). Thank You for providing all that I need to face and resist the temptations in my life. In Jesus name, amen.
When we hold on to a resentment is harmful to us, not the person who committed the offense, no matter what it was - from the imagined slight or the tiniest of misdeeds to the most egregious atrocities. Even when everyone believes you have a right to be angry about what happened to you. Holding that grudge against them does nothing to change them or what they did, yet it poisons our own hearts as it dominates our thinking and holds us bondage. We replay the situation over and over in our heads only to relive the negative feelings and not to solve a thing about it. It has been said that holding a grudge is like letting someone live rent-free in your head.
Resentment kills a fool, and envy slays the simple. Job 5:2 (NIV)
So what is one to do? We can only change our own thoughts and actions, not those of others. We can think about how we may have contributed to the situation or the ongoing resentment, pray for God to help us let go of it, and pray for the one who we feel has wronged us. Pray for God to bless that person with every blessing we wish for ourselves. Pray for God to not only bless the wrongdoer but to also help us love the other person, even if we hate what they did.
Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord. Leviticus 19:18 (NIV)
Impossible? By ourselves it is. But with the Lord's help, anything is possible. God can teach us to love the unlovable just as he has done with us. God has forgiven every thing we have ever done, all our shortcomings, and we therefore ought to forgive others who have wronged us. When we forgive, we are the ones who are set free!
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.Bear with each otherand forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:12-14 (NIV)
written by Jan Andersen
There is a wonderful song by Matthew West called FORGIVENESS with wonderful lyrics:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1Lu5udXEZI
It’s the hardest thing to give away And the last thing on your mind today It always goes to those that don’t deserve It’s the opposite of how you feel When the pain they caused is just too real It takes everything you have just to say the word… Forgiveness Forgiveness It flies in the face of all your pride It moves away the mad inside It’s always anger’s own worst enemy Even when the jury and the judge Say you gotta right to hold a grudge It’s the whisper in your ear saying ‘Set It Free’ Forgiveness, Forgiveness Forgiveness, Forgiveness Show me how to love the unlovable Show me how to reach the unreachable Help me now to do the impossible Forgiveness, Forgiveness Help me now to do the impossible Forgiveness It’ll clear the bitterness away It can even set a prisoner free There is no end to what it’s power can do So, let it go and be amazed By what you see through eyes of grace The prisoner that it really frees is you Forgiveness, Forgiveness Forgiveness, Forgiveness Show me how to love the unlovable Show me how to reach the unreachable Help me now to do the impossible Forgiveness I want to finally set it free So show me how to see what Your mercy sees Help me now to give what You gave to me Forgiveness, Forgiveness
"One thing I have
desired of the Lord, that will I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the
Lord all the days of my life."
Psalm 27:4
One
of the things we all need to focus on in the New Year of 2014 is setting
priorities. If you are like me, the daily demands of life pull me every
which way and life seems to dash by. It's already the second week in
January, the decorations are put away for another year, and I'm "back to normal"
-- whatever that means.
Be
sure to focus on some important things this year and don't push them into the
background by the urgencies of the day. Here are just a few: take time to
read your Bible daily and pray, worship weekly, commune often, spend time with
your family, walk your dog, play with your cat, do something every day that you
like and will give you renewed energy.
God
gives us 24 hours every day. No one has more or less. It is
important that at the end of the day you don't wallow in regrets of what you
should have done. Keep focused on God and He will direct your steps,
complete your plans according to His will, and help you to lead a godly life in
service to Him and others.
Let
God be your main priority!
Written
by
Carol Steficek
Here is a song for this devotional....Relient K- Getting Into You (lyrics)
Those of you that read my last weeks devotional will know that I have been feeling down, useless, bored, fat and forgotten by God, so basically very discouraged and struggling with getting back some joy. Isn't it fancy that God gives us tidbits of love to knock us upside the head when he has had enough of the wallowing in self-pity? This was my day on Wednesday of this week.
The first thing I do upon waking is read my Proverb of the Day…..
Proverbs 14:30
“A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.”
I think to myself, hmmmm perhaps that is why I have osteopenia at age 52. I have spent a day or two being envious. Then I pick up “The Word for You Today”,
Matthew 11:29
“Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.”
Hmmmm again, I have certainly not been watching to see how it is done or walking in the right direction. I actually believe that I have been walking in the opposite direction of the Lord and certainly not doing anything “Jesus like”.
Once at work, I have an email from a friend that works in the building that needed a notarization done. This friend and I had disconnected over the past year due to myself getting caught up in drama talk from a mutual friend. Probably also contributed to some rotting bones. We chatted briefly sharing our current challenges and then took care of the document notarization. I get back to my desk and check my email, I have an email from her saying that for two weeks her inbox had been saying that she had one unread email….she had not been able to find it. It was driving her crazy and she found it when she got back to her desk. This is what she wrote to me as she forwarded the email. GOD IS AMAZING! I’m here for you my sister-in-Christ. Love you Kelly…..Today, we believe God wants you to know that you’ve got what it takes. God won’t give you more than you can handle. Although there may have been times you thought the world was caving in on you, you got through it. You are much stronger than you can imagine. So charge ahead, you can handle it.
Well, God knew that was not enough for my stubborn self, so I picked up my copy of “Jesus Calling” to read for today. STRIVE TO TRUST ME in more and more areas of your life. Instead of running away from these challenges, embrace them, eager to gain all the blessings I have hidden in the difficulties. Start at the present moment – accepting things exactly as they are – and search for MY way in the midst of these circumstances.
Well, I don’t know about you, but I love it when God Paints Himself Into My Day to show me how much he loves me and to oh so gently remind me that He is always right here with me. Clearly I don’t always feel His first knock……Isn’t it oh so glorious that he gives us such mercy and continues to bless us with his amazing grace.
Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father
and from Jesus Christ,the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.
2 John 1:3
(NIV)
Written by
Kelly Dobyns
Here is today's song...
"God Be Merciful To Me" (Psalm 51) by Jars of Clay
But you, God, shield me on all sides; You ground my feet,
you lift my head high; With all my might I shout up to God,
His answers thunder from the holy mountain.
I stretch myself out. I sleep. Then I'm up again--rested,
tall and steady, Fearless before the enemy mobs coming at me from all sides.
Real help comes from God. Your blessings clothes your people.
Psalm 3:3-6 & 8 Msg.
You can overcome fear by trusting God for his protection in your darkest hour. When everything seems to go against you God is still for you. If circumstances have turned against you, don't blame God seek Him - run to Him - praise Him. You already have the victory. You my beloved have already won!! When You pray you must know that He hears you. Be assured of your answered prayer. You can pour out your heart to God and know that He still loves you. Cry out to the Lord; He hears you!! He provides sweet sleep for His children. You CAN find rest in Him!
Thank you Lord that your blessings are on your children. Blessings, Kathryn Here is a song for Thursday...
