Here’s a glass window picture of Jesus praying at Gethsemane. Read John 17 (MSG) and be amazed by Jesus’ mighty prayer!! This weekend God has been teaching me about praying before starting to work. I learned that there is no point to start working before praying hard. There is no point to start working until I’ve prayed until praise flows from my lips. When praise has overtaken my soul, I am ready to do God’s work. Then it is not…
Very often we feel that there’s nothing we can do to make things better. We feel helpless and discouraged and don’t know how to go on. The most important thing – and hopefully the first thing – to do is to pray. Really. Because prayer works. Indeed God works in and through our lives. Don’t ever forget that. Whatever dilemma or problem you’re facing, pray it possible. With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on…
I can’t live without prayer. I know some people rarely pray. They might even intellectually believe in the power of prayer but they don’t really practice it. Or they go through the motions of prayer but they don’t really believe in the power of prayer anyway. Somehow they can live without prayer just fine. But that’s not me. I can’t imagine going through one single day without praying. It is hard to explain why I can’t live without prayer but…
Have you experienced the transformative power of prayer? The book of Psalms is full of examples of transformation that happens while praying. How David started prayers full of self-pity or anger and ended up transformed during his prayer. Just compare the first and the last 10 verses of the Psalm 77 (MSG)! 1 I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me. 2 When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night…
This year has been the oddest for sure. Holiday plans being canceled seems to be the last straw for many. But, my friend, do not be dismayed, we have ever-present help and everlasting hope. Jeremiah tells us God is our strength, fortress, and refuge. Also during unprecedented times like this. Lord, my strength and my fortress, my refuge in time of distress.(Jeremiah 16:19, NIV,*) So whenever you start panicking or distressing, turn to God instead. This might sound too simple but it works. Yet…
As we approach Thanksgiving and other big family celebrations, it is good to remember how to be at peace in demanding situations. We can’t be peaceful without being centered on God. We can’t be gracious without resting in grace ourselves. We can’t be loving without feeling God’s love. What to do then? Before you enter into difficult situations (or any day for that matter) spend time with God. Not just a hasty prayer here and there but pray until praise…
We all know God is love. But God is also Joy! All the joy in the world derivatives from God. And there is no joy apart from God. No matter how hard people try to tell you so. All the attempts to have fun are poor substitutes for joy. God was, is and will be JOY. “God sovereignly made me—the first, the basic— before he did anything else. I was brought into being a long time ago, well before Earth got…
It’s Melodic Monday! Today’s song is Come and Fill My Heart by Avalon. I thought this would be a perfect song to celebrate Pentecost and the gift of the Holy Spirit! Pentecost is not a memorial day of the Holy Spirit but a celebration of the Holy Spirit. Let’s praise God and ask him to fill us with his Holy Spirit! Free, I long to be freeI long for the day I believeThat all you say you see in me…
As the Coronavirus spreads fear around the world, it’s time to remind ourselves of a few facts. No, I’m not telling you to wash your hands and such. I’m urging you to reminds yourself of some spiritual facts about God’s protection and reasons to be fearless in this seemingly fearful season. Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”3Surely…
Worrying seems natural to many of us. Worrying might even seem like the only way to go. But, let me tell you, it doesn’t have to be so. There is a way to say goodbye to worries. But it’s nothing we can make happen. But Jesus can. Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming…
