I am pleased to announce the publication of my new book: IGNITING AN IMPASSIONED PRAYER LIFE – How to Develop the Energized, Extended, and Sustainable Life of Prayer You’ve Always Wanted. Do you wish you were more motivated to pray? Is your prayer life sporadic and...
Prayer, like most spiritual practices, is subject to a spectrum of opinion and conviction as to how it is best practiced. Prayer in a word, means different things to different people. Typically we associate prayer with some form of communication and personal encounter with God....
When the people cried out to Moses, he prayed to the LORD… Numbers 11:2 (NIV) Why is prayer often the great omission when it comes to discussion of spiritual leadership? In my humble estimation the topic of leadership is the most frequent focus of...
“Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the LORD tests the heart.” Proverbs 17:3 NLT
Wouldn’t it be helpful if right before a trial or temptation God would provide a flashing sign warning – “This Is a Test!” . . . “This is a Test!”?
Being cognizant of that hopefully would prepare us to be more trusting and dependent upon Him right from the get go, avoiding the regret of needless self-inflicted suffering.
The good news is God allows such things more for our sakes than for His to: 1) Show us what is in our hearts and purify our motives (Deuteronomy 8:2), 2) Teach and train us in His ways (Judges 3:1-2), 3) Motivate us to change and grow (Exodus 20:20), and ultimately 4) Call us into a closer relationship with Him.
“As for me, I would seek God, and to God would I commit my cause.” Job 5: 8 ESV
When David arrived at the battlefront and found the Israelites cowering at Goliath’s daily taunts, a passion to contend for God’s purposes arose within him declaring “IS THERE NOT A CAUSE?”
One of the responsibilities we have as Christians is to become deeply committed advocates before God for those causes with which He grips our hearts.
Having celebrated the 4th of July this week marking the birth of our nation and the Godly ideals for which it stands, I pray your heart is stirred like mine to make it a cause for which we will step up in faith and commit to faithful intercession.
“God bless America, land that I love, Stand beside her and guide her Through the night with the light from above.
From the mountains to the prairies, To the oceans white with foam. God bless America, my home sweet home.”
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!” Psalm 33:12 ESV
“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6 ESV
The workings of God’s eternal purposes in our lives, shaping us into His image and likeness, and preparing us for an eternity with Him in heaven are determined and unwavering. Neither a valley of shattered dreams nor a pinnacle of success are termination points in the journey.
With God there is no such thing as being “over-the-hill.” Jesus death, burial, and resurrection are proof positive that with Him in control of our lives, as the saying goes, every “setback is a setup for a comeback.”
GOD’S NOT DONE WITH YOU
Even with your broken heart and your wounds and your scars,
God’s not done with you.
Even when you’re lost and it’s hard and you’re falling apart,
God’s not done with you. It’s not over, it’s only begun.
So don’t hide, don’t run
‘Cause God’s not done with you!'” ‘
Song by Tauren Wells
“The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the distant shores be glad.” Psalm 97:1 BSB
Knowing that the Creator of heaven and earth still has everything under control, even when things in life are careening out of our control, is an unwavering source of joy.
When the Apostle Paul said, “Rejoice in the Lord always” and “in everything give thanks” he had in mind this fact, that “the Lord reigns” no matter what our circumstances.
Acknowledging this perspective is cause to rejoice and as faith arises, even throw in a dance step or two and shout “Hallelujah!”
“Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you . . . Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.” Proverbs 4:25 & 27 NLT
Distractions can prove deadly. Even what seems good, when it side tracks us from the best, exacts a toll.
Things that side track us from following after God are the worst. The big three are the allurements of sin, the world, and self-conceit (1 John 2:16).
Great advice in this verse. We need to be ruthless with ourselves in keeping our eyes on the prize and eliminating distractions from our lives.
MY BOOK ON PRAYER! Available on Amazon, Kindle and from this Website. Go to Prayer Resources tab above for Info & Links to Order it!
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