It’s So Easy To Believe God………

for other people’s “impossible” situations, isn’t it? I know there have been many times when I have said things such as “Trust God. He’ll make a way” or “I’m praying for you, and I know God will work something out.” I have been pondering lately why it seems so easy to trust God to move in somebody else’s difficult situation but it’s a little harder when it comes to trusting Him with our “Red Sea perplexities.”

A favorite portion of Scripture that I have leaned on through the years is found in Proverbs 3:5,6

 

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

I think sometimes it’s easier to trust God to move in other people’s situations because we don’t have a complete “understanding” of all the details involved in their trial. My husband shared a story a few years back that will illustrate the point I’m trying to make. One day he got a phone call from a lady who was attending our church, and she asked him if he could come and pray for her Uncle ”Joe” who was very sick in the hospital. When he arrived in Joe’s room, several relatives were there who seemed pretty downcast, and Joe appeared to be sleeping. My husband talked to these people a few minutes, sharing with them some things that the Bible has to say about faith. Then he asked them to join hands with him and pray for Joe. He just said a simple prayer, asking God to heal Joe and give him a chance to come to church and hear the gospel,and when he was done, Joe woke up and asked for some water. Not wanting to be in the way of things, my husband quietly ducked out of the room and left. A short time later, he got a call from Joe’s niece who had asked him to come and pray. She began to tell my husband that her uncle had been in a coma for 3 days, the doctors had said that he wasn’t going to make it, and a Catholic priest had actually come by and given him last rites before my husband was there. She said it was a miracle that her uncle had woken up, and her family was very excited. Joe was released from the hospital a couple of days later and did end up visiting the church. When my husband was relating this story, he mentioned that he was glad he did not know the full extent of Joe’s condition, because he may not have had the faith to pray as he did. It was a blessing that he did not have that “understanding” of Joe’s condition.

I think too many times when it comes to our own personal impossible situations, we feel we know all the details, all the ins and outs, and that “understanding” can limit us from trusting God. Our family is facing one of those situations now with our house that looks impossible. It’s either a short sale or foreclosure. We just had someone make an offer on our house, so it looks like we’ll be able to avoid a foreclosure, but we still have the situation of finding a place to live that we can afford. With bad credit and an income that is not always consistent, things do not look good, but I am not going to lean on that “understanding”. I know that God is able to make a way where it seems there is no way, and I have these promises in His Word.

 

Psalm 37:25

 

I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

 

Philippians 4:19

 

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

So I am praying(and I’m thankful for many others that have said they would pray for us)and believing God that He has a plan, and He will take care of us. He always has!

 

 

 

Living On The Hallelujah Side

Sometimes things will happen in our lives to prompt us to make changes. I didn’t have anything major happen in my life to make me want to change my eating habits. I think it was the fact that I am getting older and that my husband’s brother had a heart attack recently that got me thinking more about the foods that I eat. I also met a minister’s wife recently who told me about a diet she had been on for a long time. It’s called the Hallelujah Diet, and you can read about it here. With those things in mind, I started thinking, “Do I really want to wait until I have a major health problem to start taking care of myself and eating better?” I decided for me that the answer was no, so when January began I stared my journey on the Hallelujah diet. To my surprise, I find that I’m really enjoying this change, even though I have been spending a lot more time in the kitchen preparing food. I definitely have a lot more energy than I have had in a long time, and I’m not depending on coffee for it either.

It’s funny how we tend to put off things like dieting or changing our eating habits, even though we know we need to do so. Many people do wait until they have heart problems or other issues before they think seriously and make the choice to make some dietary changes. It seems like when it comes to our spirituality that we are even more hesitant to make changes. People can be living in sin, knowing it, knowing that they need to make a change, but yet they won’t seek after God until something major happens in their life, such as health problems, death of a loved one or a financial crisis.

My question today is, “Why wait?” Do you want to wait until a catasprophe happens in your life before you turn to God in repentance? The real truth is that not a single one of us have the promise that we will even live to see tomorrow. If we keep putting off getting our hearts right with God and decide to wait, one of these times it might be too late.

Putting off eating healthier is one thing, but putting off living for God is a decision that can affect us eternally. Scripture urges us not to put off concerning our soul’s salvation.

2Co 6:2

(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

 

I know not everyone is going to make the choice to be a vegetarian and go on the Hallelujah diet, but I urge you today to work out your soul’s salvation and obey Acts 2:38. Then, as the old hymn says, you can truly be “Living On The Hallelujah Side”.

 

 

Living On The Hallelujah Side

 

Verse 1

 

Once a sinner far from Jesus I was perishing in the cold

 

And the blessed Savior heard me when I cried

 

Then he threw his arms around me and he led me to his fold

 

Now I’m living on the hallelujah side

 

Chorus

 

Oh, glory be to Jesus let the hallelujahs roll

 

Let me sing my Saviors praises far and wide

 

For I’ve opened up toward Heaven all the windows of my soul

 

And I’m living on the hallelujah side

 

Verse 2

 

Here the sun is always shinning and the sky is always bright

 

Tis no place for gloom in Christians to abide

 

For my soul is filled with music and my heart with great delight

 

And I’m living on the hallelujah side

 

Verse 3

 

And when this life is over and we’ve reached the other shore

 

And have safely crossed old Jordan’s rolling tide

 

You will find me shouting glory just outside my mansion door

 

For I’m living on the hallelujah side

 

 

Happy New You!

This new year has started with a bang for our church. God answered a long standing prayer request for one of our sisters . It was so exciting! I’m not going to tell you the story myself, but you can read it here.

I am looking forward to seeing more people born of the water and the spirit in 2012!!

 

My Favorite Prayer Poem

There’s a holy, high vocation needing workers everywhere,

tis the highest form of service, tis the ministry of prayer,

there’s no weapon half as mighty as the intercessors bear

nor a broader field of service than the ministry of prayer.

Author unknown

 

 

Simeon’s Secret

Psalm 25:14

The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.

Simeon had a secret. It was something that God had revealed to him. We don’t know exactly how God told him. Maybe it was a dream. Perhaps he heard and audible voice. The Bible does not say, but the Bible does tell us what God revealed to him.

 

Luk 2:25,26

 

And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

 

 

And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

Simeon had a wonderful promise that before he died, he was going to see the Messiah. How thrilled he must have been on that day, when that which he was promised came to pass! Sometimes, oftentimes, we are called to wait on God to see our prayer requests and petitions brought to fruition. God has a time and purpose for everything, and He definitely had a time in mind when He planned to manifest Himself in the flesh.

 

Galatians 4:4

 

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

I love the lyrics to the following Christmas song. It almost sounds like it could be a prayer of Simeon put to song and then his marveling at having that prayer answered.

 

The Hand of Sweet Release

 

Come thou long expected Jesus,
Come illuminate the mysteries of life.
Come redeem us from the refuse,
Bring an end to endless suffering and strife.
Be the star that shines so brightly
That it draws our weary eyes to the sky,
to Heaven’s sky.
Dearest child of new beginnings,
Be the start of something beautiful, I cry.

 

There’s an end to all the waiting,
There’s an answer to the “who?” and “where?” and “why?” . . . tonight.
All the years anticipating,
Are surrendered to a tiny baby’s cry.
There’s a dawn to follow darkness,
There’s a face to fill the title, “Prince of Peace.”
What he promised, he delivered
I am saved by the hand of sweet release.

 

In this war I’ve been a captive,
Just a sinner seeking life and liberty.
But these hands that hold me tightly
Are the hands that set my shackled spirit free.
Blessed Jesus, meek and lowly,
You have come into my life and made it new,
Now I’m new.
Out of bondage into everlasting light,
I owe everything to you.

 

Words by Suzanne Jennings

 

Although it’s been many years since the time that God first came to earth in the form of a baby, we do have the promise that He is coming back again. 

 

Hebrews 9:28

 

 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

 

Titus 2:13

 

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

 

1Jn 3:2,3

 

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

 

 

And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

 

I believe many missed the first coming of Jesus, because, unlike Simeon, they weren’t looking for it. I’m sure many in his day studied the law and knew a lot about the Messianic prophecies, but I wonder how many were really looking for the Messiah and living their lives in a way(through prayer, devotion, dedication, obeying God’s Word)that said that they were longing and waiting for His coming?We many not know the day and the hour when Jesus is coming back, but just as He assured Simeon that He was coming the first times, so we have that confirmation through His Word that He is coming back.  May we have that spirit of Simeon where we live our lives in such a way that God knows that we are His and that we are waiting for His coming!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prayer’s Unpopular Sidekick

Fasting!

 

The Bible has a lot to say about it. It certainly isn’t emphasized or taught on as it should be. Do I look forward to doing it? To be honest, no I don’t. It is denying this flesh, which is always uncomfortable, but there certainly are benefits and blessings attached to it. Our church recently went on a 3 day fast(all those that were physically able), and I can see how God is blessing the sacrifice. There is a greater liberty in our services, and it seems people are responding more to the preaching and coming to the altar and being touched by God. It is wonderful to see! I’m no expert on the subject of fasting, but I just want to share a few quotes I came across that have some good information about it.

 

Fasting confirms our utter dependence upon God by finding in Him a source of sustenance beyond food.

Dallas Willard

Is fasting ever a bribe to get God to pay more attention to the petitions ? No, a thousand times no. It is simply a way to make clear that we sufficiently reverence the amazing opportunity to ask help from the everlasting God, the Creator of the universe, to choose to put everything else aside and concentrate on worshiping, asking forgiveness, and making our requests known-considering His help more important than anything we could do ourselves in our own strength and with our own ideas.

Edith Schaeffer

 

Prayer is reaching out after the unseen; fasting is letting go of all that is seen and temporal. Fasting helps express, deepen, confirm the resolution that we are ready to sacrifice anything, even ourselves to attain what we seek for the kingdom of God.

Andrew Murray

 

Fasting is important, more important perhaps, than many of us have supposed,… when exercised with a pure heart and a right motive, fasting may provide us with a key to unlock doors where other keys have failed; a window opening up new horizons in the unseen world; a spiritual weapon of God’s provision, mighty, to the pulling down of strongholds. (God’s Chosen Fast)

Arthur Wallis

 

In Shansi I found Chinese Christians who were accustomed to spend time in fasting and prayer. They recognized that this fasting, which so many dislike, which requires faith in God, since it makes one feel weak and poorly, is really a Divinely appointed means of grace. Perhaps the greatest hindrance to our work is our own imagined strength; and in fasting we learn what poor, weak creatures we are – dependent on a meal of meat for the little strength which we are so apt to lean upon.

James Hudson Taylor

 

Our greatest victories are won on our knees and with empty stomachs.

Julio C. Ruibal

 

When the devil, the foe and the tyrant, sees a man bearing this weapon [fasting], he is straight-away frightened and he recollects and considers that defeat which he suffered in the wilderness at the hands of the Saviour; at once his strength is shattered and the very sight of this weapon, given us by our Commander-in-chief, burns him.

Isaac of Syria

 

Do you have a hunger for God? If we don’t feel strong desires for the manifestation of the glory of God, it is not because we have drunk deeply and are satisfied. It is because we have nibbled so long at the table of the world. Our soul is stuffed with small things, and there is no room for the great. If we are full of what the world offers, then perhaps a fast might express, or even increase, our soul’s appetite for God. Between the dangers of self-denial and self-indulgence is the path of pleasant pain called fasting.

John Piper

 

 

Go, figure!

“Every great movement of God can be traced to a kneeling figure.”
D. L. Moody

 

I came upon this quote this morning and thought it was profound and so true. All of the great revivals we have seen in America and abroad came about because somebody was praying. Last night at church a young lady who has been receiving a home Bible study was baptized in Jesus’ name. When she came up out of the water, she was speaking in other tongues! I know why. It was an answer to some earnest prayer that has gone up on her behalf. I’m thankful that God honors our prayers and what we do for Him when it is backed up by our prayers.

Do you want to see God do great things? Keep on praying.

Go, figure!

 

God Honors Faithful Praying!

 

This is a repost of something I had written a few years ago. I pray it will be a blessing to you.

 

Have you ever prayed for something for a long time and have just grown weary of praying?  Have you ever prayed and asked the question, “God, when are you going to bring it to pass?”   I wonder if Cornelius ever felt this way.  The Bible describes the character of Cornelius in Acts chapter 10 and verse 2.

 

A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.

  I looked up the word “prayed” in this verse in Strong’s Concordance and the meaning was to beg, beseech or petition.  It appears there was something that Cornelius was desperately seeking God for, and he did it on a continual basis.  The Bible doesn’t tell us exactly what Cornelius was praying for, but it does tell us there came a day when an angel of God appeared to him and told him that God remembered all the times that he had prayed. 

Acts 10:3  He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. Acts 10:4  And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. 

 

 Although we may not know exactly what Cornelius prayed for, we do have the record of how God chose to answer his prayers.

 

 Act 10:5  And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: Act 10:6  He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do. 

 

 Cornelius was told to send for Peter and that Peter would tell him what he needed to do.  Cornelius was about to have his Memorial Day!  In the meantime, God was preparing Peter to be the answer to Cornelius’ prayer as he showed him a vision and then sent 3 men to Peter who would escort Peter to the house of Cornelius.  (See Acts 10:7-24) 

 

After a brief discourse between Peter and Cornelius, Peter  begins to preach Jesus unto him.  While Peter was preaching to Cornelius and his household, the Bible records something wonderful that happened. Acts 10:44  While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. Acts 10:45  And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.  God’s spirit was poured out on Cornelius and those in his household that had heard the word of God preached.  They of the circumcision(in other words, the Jews)which were there with Peter were astonished because this was the first time that a non-Jew(Gentile)received the gift of the Holy Ghost.  How did these other Jewish men that were with Peter know that Cornelius and the others who were with them had received the Holy Ghost?  Verse 46 gives us the answer.

 

 Act 10:46  For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,  

 

Notice though, that this is not the end, for this verse concludes with “Then answered Peter,”.    God still had more for Cornelius. Acts 10:47  Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? Acts 10:48  And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

 

  What a glorious Memorial Day for Cornelius and his family!  If it was anything like the day that I was baptized in the name of Jesus and filled with the Holy Ghost, I know it was an awesome, unforgettable day.  I believe Cornelius’ prayers were answered in a far greater way than he ever expected.  God certainly honored the faithfulness of this man. 

 

 Is there something that you have been praying about for a long time?  Perhaps there is a loved one that you long to see come to God.  Maybe you are in need of a physical or emotional healing.  You may already have a relationship with God, but you are just desirous and so hungry for  more of Him.  May you be encouraged to keep asking, seeking and knocking.  God still answers prayer and He would love for there to be a  Memorial Day for you too! 

Memorial Day 

 

It’s coming – Memorial Day

 Cornelius, do not cease to pray

 Prayers sent up to God have been heard

  Every cry of your heart, each word. 

 

 Though answers may seem far away

   It’s coming – Memorial Day

   In faith keep on lifting your voice

   And soon you’ll have cause to rejoice. 

 

In our flesh we may groan, grow tired

   Let this grand thought keep you inspired

    It’s coming – Memorial Day

   In spite of the seeming delay. 

 

 Now brought to life, to fruition

    You have received your petition

   No longer do you have to say

   It’s coming – Memorial Day!

 

Pray The Word

There is nothing quite like the Bible, God’s Holy Word.

How wonderful it is to be able to

preach it

teach it

hear it preached and taught

read it

meditate on it,

but do we pray it?

A long time ago, I learned that we can incorporate the Word of God into our prayers. Doing this is something that can add a new dimension to your prayer life. Here are some examples of things I have prayed.

 

For myself personally

Psalm 51:10

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

 

Psalm 19:14

 

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

 

Psalm 86:11

 

Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.

 

Things I Pray For Our Church

 

1Timothy 6:12

 

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. (Lord, help us to continue to fight the good fight of faith!)

 

Jamess 4:7

 

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (Lord, help us to submit ourselves to you so we can resist the devil!)

 

James 1:22

 

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. (Lord, help us to be doers of your Word and not hearers only!)

 

2Peter 3:18

 

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. (Lord, help us to grow in your grace and knowledge.)

Things I Have Prayed As A Parent

 

 

Proverbs 22:6

 

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.(Lord, help us to train up our children in the way they should go, that when they are old they will not depart from it!)

 

Eph 6:1,2

 

 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

 

Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) (Lord, help us to train our children to be obedient and honor their father and mother as your Word says!)

 

James 1:5

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (God, give us wisdom to know how to raise our children to serve You!)

 

Deu 6:6,7

 

And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:

 

 

And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. (Lord, help us to be diligent in teaching your Word to our children!)

 

These are just a few examples of things in the Word of God that we can incorporate into our prayers. If you feel your prayer life may be a little dry, or you’re feeling like you may be in a rut of praying the same thing over and over again, I challenge you to put the Word of God into your prayers. There is power in God’s Word!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Habit

“Don’t pray when you feel like it. Have an appointment with the Lord and keep it. A man is powerful on his knees.” Corrie ten Boom

 

Do you have the habit? I am talking of course, about the habit of prayer. Over the years, I have heard it stressed through many different preachers the importance of having a regular prayer time. When we were at West Coast Conference in November, Elder Morton was talking about the importance of having a regular time and place where you pray daily. He mentioned that when you start doing this, after a while that time of prayer will call to you. I have found that to be so. I like to pray in the morning because at that time, I am generally the most alert. I find that most of the time, I just wake up on my own without the aid of an alarm clock when it’s about time to pray. Actually, I know it is the Lord helping me to wake up, so I can keep that special appointment.

 

Sometimes we will have days where our prayer time may be interrupted by something unexpected, and we may not be able to keep our special appointment, but that should be the exception and not the norm.

Do you have a habit of brushing your teeth or showering daily? Have you ever had to go for a day or two or longer without being able to do one of these? I have, and it felt downright nasty especially not to be able to shower. It felt so good when I could finally get back into that habit again.

Do you feel grimy in your spirit if you start missing your prayer time? Does it seem you lose your temper more quickly or are more easily agitated or worse yet don’t feel like reading your Bible or going to church? Those are sure signs that we need to pray.

May God help us to continually cultivate this most important habit of prayer!