tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77976999210686473842024-03-18T09:30:54.408-07:00Growing in GodlinessEncouragement to Become More Like ChristEvelyn Brayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01717418297995190890noreply@blogger.comBlogger1000125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797699921068647384.post-58970802607694205192023-10-23T10:56:00.003-07:002024-03-18T09:30:21.921-07:00Lessons from Elk Hunting: Perseverance<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4l78VaoYE-dlaLSAlqpHzG4DiUmzODx5peLbDxr0n6sdHgklgr3TSM5t7mAw6OsCW4KuBSAv7JDGpm6FTc8UE-dX8W3KkOCjFfNd2TYXPsBoHNFKymVv0F0m12jb60yGrrrHQvo08mfRA1VS_Eo3D7UrwCJQYzC9-WgldPONz-MfGR3VkF7SfD4_J_fA/s900/bigstock-Boy-With-Bow-And-Arrow-Concent-276818812.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4l78VaoYE-dlaLSAlqpHzG4DiUmzODx5peLbDxr0n6sdHgklgr3TSM5t7mAw6OsCW4KuBSAv7JDGpm6FTc8UE-dX8W3KkOCjFfNd2TYXPsBoHNFKymVv0F0m12jb60yGrrrHQvo08mfRA1VS_Eo3D7UrwCJQYzC9-WgldPONz-MfGR3VkF7SfD4_J_fA/s320/bigstock-Boy-With-Bow-And-Arrow-Concent-276818812.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />I love hunting. It is a big heritage in my family on both
sides. There is even a tradition on my side that the girls can’t get their ears
pierced until they get their first buck, kind of a
coming-of-age/right-of-passage. I was ten and it was a very proud moment, for
myself and also for my father. Every October we take a break from homeschool
and the kids stay with my parents for a week so I can hunt elk. Honestly, I
enjoy it as much for the time to myself as for the hunting. For me, hunting is
more than just getting an animal. I love being out in God’s creation, in the
stillness, beauty and silence, away from distractions and busyness and noise,
just being alone with God. It’s as close to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Eden</st1:place></st1:city> and the way life was created to be as we
can get in this fallen world.<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Last year my daughter was old enough to start hunting and
very excited to join the family legacy. However, she was miffed when I
mentioned our annual break in October. She wanted to stay so that I could take
her hunting. We had already planned for hunting to be a special time with dad
since he is vastly more experienced and it would give them something to bond
over. She was impatient and wanted to jump in when season opened. She didn’t
want to wait until November when deer hunting is better. (And she reiterated
this argument again this year) I tried to explain all this, along with the fact
that it would take away my chance of getting an elk, to which she replied,
“What’s the point, you never get anything anyway so why not take me hunting
instead?”…</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> <span></span></o:p></p><a name='more'></a><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Unfortunately, she was right. In all my years of hunting, I
get a deer every year but have yet to even see a legal elk while I was hunting.
Her words rang a chorus I had said to myself many times, almost every year
usually in the middle of the season when I was hot, tired, discouraged and
battling deer ticks (the most annoying insect I’ve encountered). I would come
home disgusted and questioning why I even bothered. What is the point of continuing
to attempt something at which I had never been successful? Was it really worth
all this misery?!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">How many times do we face obstacles and wonder that very
thing; is it worth it? Why keep going? Will our efforts do any good? Why keep
fighting for a difficult marriage after 5 or 10 or 20 years with no sign of
improvement? Why keep trying to raise godly children when they seem bent on
doing the opposite of what we say? Why keep praying for the prodigal to return
when their path seems ever darker? Why pray for healing when we only get
sicker? Why keep sharing the Gospel with a friend after years of no interest or
sign of acceptance?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hebrews 11:13-40 New American Standard
Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span class="textheb-11-13"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">All these died in faith, without
receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from
a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on
the earth.</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <span class="textheb-11-14"><span style="color: black;">For those who say such things make
it clear that they are seeking a country of their own.</span></span> <span class="textheb-11-15"><span style="color: black;">And indeed if they had been thinking
of that <i>country</i> from which they went out, they would have had opportunity
to return.</span></span> <span class="textheb-11-16"><span style="color: black;">But
as it is, they desire a better <i>country</i>, that is, a heavenly
one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has
prepared a city for them.</span></span> <span class="textheb-11-17"><span style="color: black;">By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and
he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten <i>son</i>;</span></span>
<span class="textheb-11-18"><i><span style="color: black;">it was he</span></i><span style="color: black;"> to whom it was said, “</span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="color: black; font-variant: small-caps;">In Isaac
your</span></span><span class="textheb-11-18"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="color: black; font-variant: small-caps;">descendants
shall be called</span></span><span class="textheb-11-18"><span style="color: black;">.”</span></span>
<span class="textheb-11-19"><span style="color: black;">He considered that God
is able to raise <i>people</i> even from the dead, from which he also received
him back as a type.</span></span> <span class="textheb-11-20"><span style="color: black;">By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even regarding
things to come.</span></span> <span class="textheb-11-21"><span style="color: black;">By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of
Joseph, and worshiped, <i>leaning</i> on the top of his staff.</span></span>
<span class="textheb-11-22"><span style="color: black;">By faith Joseph, when
he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Israel</st1:country-region></st1:place>, and gave orders concerning his
bones.</span></span> <span class="textheb-11-23"><span style="color: black;">By
faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents,
because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of
the king’s edict.</span></span> <span class="textheb-11-24"><span style="color: black;">By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be
called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,</span></span> <span class="textheb-11-25"><span style="color: black;">choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the
people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin,</span></span> <span class="textheb-11-26"><span style="color: black;">considering the reproach of Christ
greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward.</span></span>
<span class="textheb-11-27"><span style="color: black;">By faith he left <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Egypt</st1:place></st1:country-region>,
not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who
is unseen.</span></span> <span class="textheb-11-28"><span style="color: black;">By
faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that he who
destroyed the firstborn would not touch them.</span></span> <span class="textheb-11-29"><span style="color: black;">By faith they passed through
the <st1:place w:st="on">Red Sea</st1:place> as though <i>they were passing</i>
through dry land; and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were drowned. </span></span><span class="textheb-11-30"><span style="color: black;">By faith the walls of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Jericho</st1:place></st1:city> fell
down after they had been encircled for seven days.</span></span> <span class="textheb-11-31"><span style="color: black;">By faith Rahab the harlot
did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed
the spies in peace.</span></span> <span class="textheb-11-32"><span style="color: black;">And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell
of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the
prophets,</span></span> <span class="textheb-11-33"><span style="color: black;">who
by faith conquered kingdoms, performed <i>acts of</i> righteousness, obtained
promises, shut the mouths of lions,</span></span> <span class="textheb-11-34"><span style="color: black;">quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the
sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign
armies to flight.</span></span> <span class="textheb-11-35"><span style="color: black;">Women received <i>back</i> their dead by
resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that
they might obtain a better resurrection;</span></span> <span class="textheb-11-36"><span style="color: black;">and others experienced mockings
and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment.</span></span> <span class="textheb-11-37"><span style="color: black;">They were stoned, they
were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the
sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute,
afflicted, ill-treated</span></span> <span class="textheb-11-38"><span style="color: black;">(<i>men</i> of whom the world was not worthy), wandering
in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground.</span></span> <span class="textheb-11-39"><span style="color: black;">And all these, having gained approval
through their faith, did not receive what was promised,</span></span> <span class="textheb-11-40"><span style="color: black;">because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There is so much here but I want to focus on the first and
last verses: they died before the promises were fulfilled (though they saw and
welcomed them from a distance) because God provided something better. God
always keeps His promises, but they don’t always happen how we think or when we
expect. Sometimes they are not fulfilled in our lifetime. Other times it can
take many years. Moses waited 80 years before he stepped into his role of
delivering the Israelites. Joseph waited 13 years for his promise to be
fulfilled while enduring slavery and imprisonment, and he prophesied the
Israelites return to the Promised Land but that took almost 400 years. Rebekah
died while Jacob was still in exile, she never saw him gain his inheritance.
Sarah died before Isaac married and never saw her grandchildren. Abraham and
Sarah had to wait 25 years for their promise to be fulfilled. So why keep
trying? Why keep hoping if we won’t get it now or if we never see it happen at
all? God provides something better. Those who went before us kept trying. They
kept hoping. They stayed the course because God provided something better. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Romans 5:1-5 New American Standard
Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span class="textrom-5-1"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Therefore, having been justified by
faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <span class="textrom-5-2"><span style="color: black;">through
whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this
grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.</span></span>
<span class="textrom-5-3"><span style="color: black;">And not only this, but we
also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;</span></span>
<span class="textrom-5-4"><span style="color: black;">and perseverance, proven
character; and proven character, hope;</span></span> <span class="textrom-5-5"><span style="color: black;">and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God
has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was
given to us.</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I used to be confused by this verse because I have gotten my
hopes up and been disappointed often. How can the Bible say that hope does not
disappoint when I have been disappointed so many times by not receiving that
for which I had hoped? The reason is that I put my hope in what I wanted rather
than in God. I hoped for an outcome, for things to happen the way I wanted. I
was hoping in my selfish desires rather than in God and His will. Hope does not
disappoint when we realize that God’s will is better than ours. There is
nothing wrong with asking for what we want, but we need to be openhanded,
willing to accept a trade of our best for God’s best because His way is always
better. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Galatians 6:9 New American Standard
Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span class="textgal-6-9"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Let us not lose heart in doing good, for
in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Unfortunately, sometimes we grow weary; we get impatient and
try to take things into our own hands. Abraham and Sarah didn’t want to wait
for God to provide an heir so they came up with a human alternative to the
solution (Abraham having a son through their servant Hagar.) In hunting terms
this would be equivalent to poaching. It may produce the desired end (putting
meat on the table) but it is going against the ways of God by breaking the law
refusing to trust God to provide. God never blesses sin but He can redeem it if
we repent. Sadly, though Abraham and Sarah did not live to see their descendants
number the stars, they did live to rue the day they tried to play God. Sarah
was jealous of and despised by Hagar because Hagar conceived a son, Hagar’s son
Ishmael mistreated Sarah’s son Isaac, and Ishmael’s descendants have persecuted
Isaac’s descendants for millennia. Refusing to trust God to provide and taking
matters into our own hands always has negative consequences. We always pay the
price of sin we do not repent of whether we realize that is the cause of our painful
circumstances or not.<span class="textgal-6-9"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">James 1:12 New American Standard Bible
1995<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span class="textjas-1-12"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Blessed is a man who perseveres under
trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life
which <i>the Lord</i> has promised to those who love Him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We can keep following God’s ways when it gets hard, when it
seems hopeless, when we may never see the fruit of our work because it is doing
more than just accomplishing an end. It is growing us. It is producing in us
fruit and character that cannot be diminished. Notice that Romans 5:3 says that
trials and tribulation <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">produce</i>
perseverance. Trying to avoid them or solve things our way instead of God’s
prevents the fruits of perseverance, trust and faith that God’s way would have
produced. God blesses us when we trust Him and persevere in His way. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Of course there are some things that maybe should come to an
end. Maybe we meet with opposition at work because God is preparing us for a
change, but those times require discernment and prayer. The presence of
obstacles and problems does not necessitate change. In fact, many of the things
for which we labor are the hardest in life (marriage, parenting, evangelizing) and
yet are the ones in which we should never give up or cease striving and
persevering because they are meant to be lifelong. When we give up on them we
are ultimately giving up on God’s ability to work in those people and
situations. They are worth fighting for to our dieing breath. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One of my favorite stories is the Lord of the Rings, and one
of the reasons I love it so much is the theme of honor, valor, courage that
pervades every character. As I was thinking about the subject of perseverance,
this quote by Master Samwise came to mind. He says it in the middle of the
story when things seemed most difficult and impossible:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><b><span style="color: #202020; font-family: Arial;">Frodo: I can’t do this, Sam.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><b><span style="color: #202020; font-family: Arial;">Sam: I know.<br />
It’s all wrong<br />
By rights we shouldn’t even be here.<br />
But we are.<br />
It’s like in the great stories Mr. Frodo.<br />
The ones that really mattered.<br />
Full of darkness and danger they were,<br />
and sometimes you didn’t want to know the end.<br />
Because how could the end be happy.<br />
How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad happened.<br />
But in the end, it’s only a passing thing, this shadow.<br />
Even darkness must pass.<br />
A new day will come.<br />
And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer.<br />
Those were the stories that stayed with you.<br />
That meant something.<br />
Even if you were too small to understand why.<br />
But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand.<br />
I know now.<br />
Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back only they didn’t.<br />
Because they were holding on to something.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><b><span style="color: #202020; font-family: Arial;">Frodo: What are we holding on to, Sam?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><b><span style="color: #202020; font-family: Arial;">Sam: That there’s some good in this world, Mr. Frodo. And it’s
worth fighting for.</span></b><b><span style="color: #202020; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The key to perseverance is keeping the goal in mind, and
that goal is not necessarily the end we want, but the greater work which God is
doing. We are small parts in a larger scope, a grander scheme that goes far
beyond us. Just like Joseph endured not only for himself but ultimately to save
his family and nation, even though he did not know that was the end goal God
had planned for him. He remained faithful and righteous simply because it was
right, and God used that for His greater purpose. If he had given up, it would
have been an end not only of his dream but possibly of his nation.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Life is hard. Righteousness is not easy. It can be hard to
see the light when we are surrounded by darkness. The struggle against sin can
be especially daunting because it is voracious and persistent. After a lifetime
of resisting and struggling we may feel no closer to conquering it than when we
started. Often, it may feel like discipline instead of a blessing, but it has a
purpose, a good purpose. We need to make sure that we endure to the end and
don’t give up; otherwise we will be overcome by bitterness at struggling for no
reason which will poison our lives and those around us. However, even now we
have not yet persevered so hard that we have literally shed blood over it. The
only person who has ever done that is Jesus.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hebrews 12:1-15 New American Standard
Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span class="textheb-12-1"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Therefore, since we have so great a cloud
of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and
the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the
race that is set before us,</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <span class="textheb-12-2"><span style="color: black;">fixing our eyes on Jesus, the
author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the
cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the
throne of God. </span></span><span class="textheb-12-3"><span style="color: black;">For consider
Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will
not grow weary and lose heart.</span></span> <span class="textheb-12-4"><span style="color: black;">You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in
your striving against sin;</span></span> <span class="textheb-12-5"><span style="color: black;">and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed
to you as sons,</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span class="textheb-12-5"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">“</span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-variant: small-caps;">My son, do not
regard lightly the discipline of the Lord</span></span><span class="textheb-12-5"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">,</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
<span class="small-caps"><span style="color: black; font-variant: small-caps;">Nor</span></span><span class="textheb-12-5"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="color: black; font-variant: small-caps;">faint when
you are reproved by Him</span></span><span class="textheb-12-5"><span style="color: black;">;</span></span><br />
<span class="small-caps"><span style="color: black; font-variant: small-caps;">For
those</span></span><span class="textheb-12-6"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="color: black; font-variant: small-caps;">whom the
Lord loves He disciplines</span></span><span class="textheb-12-6"><span style="color: black;">,</span></span><br />
<span class="small-caps"><span style="color: black; font-variant: small-caps;">And He
scourges every son whom He receives</span></span><span class="textheb-12-6"><span style="color: black;">.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span class="textheb-12-7"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">It is for discipline that you
endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom <i>his</i> father
does not discipline?</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> <span class="textheb-12-8"><span style="color: black;">But if you are without discipline, of
which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not
sons.</span></span> <span class="textheb-12-9"><span style="color: black;">Furthermore,
we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we
not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live?</span></span>
<span class="textheb-12-10"><span style="color: black;">For they disciplined us for
a short time as seemed best to them, but He <i>disciplines us</i> for <i>our</i>
good, so that we may share His holiness.</span></span> <span class="textheb-12-11"><span style="color: black;">All discipline for the
moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been
trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. </span></span><span class="textheb-12-12"><span style="color: black;">Therefore, strengthen the hands
that are weak and the knees that are feeble,</span></span> <span class="textheb-12-13"><span style="color: black;">and make straight paths for
your feet, so that <i>the limb</i> which is lame may not be put out
of joint, but rather be healed.</span></span> <span class="textheb-12-14"><span style="color: black;">Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without
which no one will see the Lord.</span></span> <span class="textheb-12-15"><span style="color: black;">See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God;
that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many
be defiled;<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="line" style="line-height: 20.4pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Segoe UI";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We can persevere because Jesus did. He came to earth and
became a man, forsaking His privilege and enduring every part of life we
encounter so that He could understand what we endure and encourage us, so that
He could fight for us. He succeeded in the battle against sin and death and
defeated it once and for all. He died so that we do not have to. Of course we
will all die physically, but we do not have to die spiritually. He paid our
debt and redeemed us from bondage to this dark sinful world. We can live in
light and righteousness, with hope and a good future which God has planned for
us. We can have the strength, courage and hope to persevere if we will keep our
eyes on Jesus, reminding ourselves of His goodness and faithfulness and the
hope for which we endure. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So it is the end of October and hunting season is over, did
I get an elk this year? No, I did not, but as my husband says when I voice my
discouragement in hunting, “You may not get anything if you go out, but you
can’t get anything if you don’t go out.” So I will keep hunting even if I don’t
see anything, I will continue to teach and train my children no matter how
resistant they are, I will persist in praying for those I love to know the
truth of God’s love and sacrifice even if I never see them accept it, not
hoping for my desired goal but because it is good and right, trusting in God’s
good plan and purpose, doing the work He has for me. Max Lucado said that
“Prayer is not asking God to do what we want but trusting that He will do what
is best.” I can do all this because God gives me strength, because He is
faithful to provide and forgive, because He went before me and has good planned
for me, knowing that He will provide something better.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If you have not accepted Jesus’ sacrifice for your sins,
will you now? Will you give your life to Him so He can give you a life of light
and hope and the strength to endure and live for Him, accomplishing the good
purpose He created you for?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If you have accepted Jesus, will you commit to live for Him,
surrendering your personal desires and goals for the better purpose God has for
you? Will you keep your eyes on Him and seek His strength to endure to the end?</p>Evelyn Brayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01717418297995190890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797699921068647384.post-32058734827978325342023-05-15T08:05:00.000-07:002023-05-15T08:05:02.613-07:00I am Mom...?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkhowNmUS29TFkjUnF9f_vGD771kT47lXvvHPfV1FP1EZIUTLlS6-uzI2QhMJwG3Lr3syMfc89BnVOtaKLSaP9FgvGsPjt7o9GLfQr-ygMRypWxhIAcAJbJgCmKp6p27gS1b_POb73irk67M5IkAZS0TENffOej5ulqmXgjE2Bzphvlmy0YVoH96nv/s900/bigstock-Carefree-Woman-Meditating-In-N-227435068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkhowNmUS29TFkjUnF9f_vGD771kT47lXvvHPfV1FP1EZIUTLlS6-uzI2QhMJwG3Lr3syMfc89BnVOtaKLSaP9FgvGsPjt7o9GLfQr-ygMRypWxhIAcAJbJgCmKp6p27gS1b_POb73irk67M5IkAZS0TENffOej5ulqmXgjE2Bzphvlmy0YVoH96nv/s320/bigstock-Carefree-Woman-Meditating-In-N-227435068.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Last spring, I was in a workshop at a women’s conference
on Kingdom Living. At the beginning of the hour, the speaker asked us to write
down the answer to the question, “Who am I?” I wrote: Daughter of the King,
wife, mom, teacher, defeated/discouraged, sinner. While most of them are fairly
accurate descriptions, they do not all define me. There is a big difference
between goals, jobs/titles, and our identities, but it is so easy to lose focus
(if we ever had it to begin with) and place our identity where it does not
belong.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I want to say first that being a mom is a good thing and a
great goal to have and achieve, but to find our only identity and worth in that
is actually wrong, maybe even sinful. When we start to place our identities in
what we do or the positions we hold here on earth, we enter a works-based
religion because we are defined by what we do. Unfortunately, it doesn’t end
there, because if our identity is based on what we do, then it will naturally
be fed by <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">how</i> we do it. If I let
motherhood define me, then my worth and value will be based on how good of a
mother I think I am which creates a downward spiral because the only way to
gauge how good of a mother I am is by comparing myself with other moms. No
matter where we are, who we know, or what we do, we will always find people whom
we exceed, but there will also always be people who exceed us, if we’re honest.
Then we start the top-this/comparison game. I’m sure that I could come up with
some way in which I do not measure up to every mother I know. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">While I am speaking to moms here, this principle applies to
everyone. If Pastor placed his identity in being a pastor, his worth would be
based on how many positive reactions he had from his sermons, how many new
converts were made each year, and how many people attended each service. If my
husband placed his identity in being a logger, then he would define himself by
how well he performed his job and how much money he made. This practice leads
to spirits of depression (if we feel we don’t measure up) or pride and
criticism (if we think we are better than everyone else). Neither of those are
godly, and only lead to ungodly attitudes of doubt, insecurity, put-downs, and
arrogance because we constantly have to prove that we are good enough, which
ironically makes us perform worse than we would if we were simply confident in
who we are and not worried about how we measure up.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sadly, this mentality pervades not only our society but the
church at large. I think that the identity of motherhood is especially
prevalent in the church. The problem with it is that security and confidence
can never be achieved that way. It will cause a young lady to not feel like she
is enough because she is single, and to long for the day when she can be
married so that she can be whole and will spend her whole life up to that point
looking forward and missing out on the time she has. I am not saying there is
anything wrong with preparing for marriage, that is good and right, but feeling
that one is not good enough being single is not. Finally, the girl is married,
but unfortunately does not remain satisfied because she is not a mother. Soon
her domestic tranquility is disrupted by the desire for children, and she feels
she is not complete or good enough until she has children. Finally, she becomes
pregnant and has a child and the joys of motherhood surround her. Sadly, that
does not last long because her peace is based on her circumstances. Her baby
isn’t nursing well, she’s not doing all the things the people around think she
should be doing to raise her child, she is not perfectly and constantly happy
in her role, so she struggles and tries harder to be better. The unfortunate
result of this is only worry and disruption in her marriage because she is
giving so much to her child that her husband feels neglected, so their marital
bliss diminishes. Rather than seeing the true source of her dissatisfaction,
she thinks she just needs more children. So, she has more, but is no closer to
feeling fulfilled or worthwhile. Her husband may become detached or resentful
and her children are natural born sinners, not the perfect little cherubs she
expected. So, they grow and make mistakes and disobey, and while things may
improve, she always questions if it is enough, if she is enough. Finally, the
children grow up into successful adults and she begins to feel that she has
done well only to have them leave the house to make homes and lives of their
own. While she is glad for this, her insecurities and dissatisfaction return
because she has an empty home. She is still a mother, but that is not really
her job anymore and she no longer feels fulfilled. Often those feelings persist
for the rest of her life to some degree unless she is able to find some other
job or purpose to fill her life. Ironically, those feelings of doubt and
insecurity cause her to “perform” worse than she would otherwise because she is
living defeated, trying to earn or prove her worth, rather than living in the
fullness God intended for her. Do you see the trend here? Basing our identities
in what we do never ends. We are never satisfied with reaching our goal because
we are constantly needing to prove our worth, so once we accomplish one goal,
we have to find another. What we do is never enough, nor was it ever meant to
be.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This story is not confined to motherhood, but could play out
in any profession, no matter how noble or worthwhile it may be. I was talking
with a friend about this, how women are often viewed as being less-than because
they have no children or remain unmarried for whatever reason. Should a woman
marry the first scum bag that comes along just so she does not bear the “shame”
of singleness? If it is God’s plan for her to marry later in life, should we
judge her for being obedient just because it does not fit into our ideology? I
know several women who married “later” in life, and none of them would
sacrifice the marriage they have in order to have married at a younger age. They
consider it a blessing rather than a curse. We discussed the idea of where this
view came from, when did it start and what grounds does it have?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Genesis 3:16-19 NASB<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>To the
woman He said,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I will
greatly multiply<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Your pain
in childbirth,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">In pain you will bring forth
children;<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">Yet your desire will be for your
husband,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">And he will rule over you.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">Then to Adam He said, “Because you
have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about
which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat from it’;<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">Cursed is the ground because of
you;<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">In toil you will eat of it <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">All the days of your life.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">Both thorns and thistles it shall
grow for you;<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">And you will eat the plants of the
field;<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">By the sweat of your face<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">You will eat bread,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">Till you return to the ground, <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">Because from it you were taken;<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">For you are dust,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">And to dust you shall return.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This tendency to find our identity in what we do (for women
in childbearing but also for men in their work) goes all the way back to the
beginning. Shortly after Adam and Eve sinned, they were cursed because of that
sin. See this desire or need to be defined by what we do is a result of the
curse, not because God created us to be that way, but as a result of sin. It
broke that unity and relationship with God where mankind was secure and
fulfilled in Him alone. The desire to be self-sufficient and independent of God
which brought on sin gave birth to the need to prove our worth on our own apart
from God. Because of that brokenness and disunity, we are insecure because we
lost that security in our relationship with God. Unfortunately, we try to find
that identity and worth in ourselves instead of looking to the One who defines
us. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Genesis 1:27-28a, 31a NASB<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">God created man in His own image,
in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God
blessed them…God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This desire to find our identity stems from a works-based
religion. I’m sure none of you would say that you believe you must earn your
salvation, but do you live that way? If we can’t and shouldn’t earn our salvation,
then we can’t and shouldn’t try to earn our identity or prove our worth.
Nothing in us is good enough on our own, as it says in Romans 3:10 “there is
none righteous, not even one” and God does not love us or choose us because we are
better than anyone else.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Deuteronomy 7:7-8a NASB<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">The Lord did not set His love on
you nor choose you because you were more in number than any of the peoples, for
you were the fewest of all peoples, but because the Lord loved you.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ephesians 1:4-6 </b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">(emphasis
added)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">[God] chose us in Him before the
foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In
love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, <b>according
to the kind intention of His will</b>, to the praise of the glory of His grace,
which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">While the first verse was spoken to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Israel</st1:country-region></st1:place>, I believe the principle
still applies. He did not choose us because we were so special or better than
anyone else, but simply because He loved us. He knew every single person in history
before history. Before the beginning of the world, He knew each of us and loved
us because He made us, even if we reject Him. His love is so great that He died
so that we could be with Him, to repair the damage caused by our own sin
against Him. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I read in a book about <i>Acceptable Sins</i> that the best
way to defeat sin in our lives is to preach the Gospel to ourselves daily and
to memorize verses to that effect. One of the best passages of Scripture which
most clearly depicts the Gospel is:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ephesians 2:1-9<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">And you were dead in your
trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of
this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that
is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly
lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging in the desires of the flesh and of
the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">But God</span>, being rich in
mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead
in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have
been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly
places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the
surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by
grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the
gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We were nothing before God, less than nothing. We were His
enemies. Yet because of His love for us, Jesus died so that He could spend the
rest of eternity lavishing us with His blessings! If God did not want us to
earn our salvation, if He died so that we could be saved, if He did not require
anything of us to become His children, why would He then require us to earn our
worth or identity as His children? After all of that would He want us to live
for the purpose of proving our worth?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">At this point some may bring up 1 Timothy 2:15 which says
that “women will be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue
in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint.” But I will argue that this
is not talking about salvation or worth. The Bible clearly says we are not
saved by works. If we are not saved by works, then it is obviously not
referring to salvation. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What does it mean is that we are preserved or sanctified
through having children? Sanctification is the process by which we are made
more like God. It is something God does through our submission to Him on a daily
basis and is completed when we reach Heaven. I’m sure every mother will attest
to the fact that raising children and teaching them to be godly only reveals to
us how very ungodly we are. Our flaws are very amply exposed in those wonderful
little copies of ourselves for all to see, and hopefully it motivates us to
correct our own flaws while we attempt to train our children. I love the quote
from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Little Women</i> when Jo and Marmee
are talking about Jo’s anger, which was just like her mother’s, and the way
that Mr. March helped her over come it.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">“He helped and comforted me and
showed me that I must try to practice all the virtues I would have my little
girls possess, for I was their example. It was easier to try for your sakes
than for my own. A startled or surprised look from one of you when I spoke sharply
rebuked me more than any words could have done, and the love, respect, and
confidence of my children was the sweetest reward I could receive for my efforts
to be the woman I would have them copy.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span>Elisabeth Elliot once said:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">The process of shaping the child shapes also the mother
herself. Reverence for her sacred burden calls her to all that is pure and
good, that she may teach primarily by her own humble, daily example.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Another way in which “women will be preserved through the
bearing of children” is in a reversal of the curse in a sense. Because we are
cursed by the fall in having great pain in childbirth (I think men got off easy
on that one), the joys of having that child are greater for the mother than the
father for that reason. The joy of having children offsets the pain of the
curse and makes it more bearable. It is not saying that we earn salvation by
having children, or that we are of more value for raising children, but that
the affects of the curse are lessened through having children. (John Piper has
a great article on this verse on His website “Desiring God.”)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Romans 8:35-39<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">Who will separate us from the love
of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness,
or peril, or sword? Just as it is written,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">“For Your sake we are being put to
death all day long;<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">We were considered as sheep to be
slaughtered.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">But in all these things we overwhelmingly
conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor
life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come,
nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to
separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Nothing can change how God loves us. Nothing we do can
lessen His love or make it greater. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1 John 4:10,19<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">In this is love, not that we loved
God, but that He loved us and sent His son to be the propitiation for our
sins…We love because He first loved us.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We love because He FIRST loved us. He loved us before we had
kids, while we were still sinners, while we were His enemies. His love is not
based on our performance anymore than our love for our children, spouses or
family members are based on their performance. If it were based on performance,
it would not be love. He created us because He wanted relationship with us, not
so we could work and do things for Him. We were created to love Him. Yes, there
are many verses talking about how we need to bear good fruit and do good works
which He planned for us, but those should be the result of His love, not to
earn it.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">John 15:8<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">My Father is glorified by this,
that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 135.75pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But look at verse 5, just before this:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">John 15:5 </b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">(emphasis added)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">I am the vine, you are the
branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for <b>apart
from Me you can do nothing</b>.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Philippians 1:9-11<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">And this I pray, that your love may
abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you
may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless
until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness
which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Notice that according to these verses that fruit which we
are supposed to bear comes through Christ, through abiding in Him. Abiding is
that practicing of being in constant communion with God. It literally means to
“remain or stay”. Basically, it is living in Christ on a moment-by-moment
basis, intentionally being mindful of Him and staying connected with Him at all
times. It is not by trying to be better, working harder or any amount of effort
on our part. It is by <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">being</i> in Him in
the fullest sense. God’s focus is on our <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">being</i>
more than our <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">doing</i>. That is why most
of Paul’s letters, including Ephesians, focus on who we are in the first half and
then talk about how we should live in the second half. What we do is the
natural by product of who we are.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A few years ago, Ephesians 2:10 kept popping up over the
course of several days. This usually means that God has a point to make so I
prayed and watched to see what it was. I thought God had some new job or “work”
for me to do. Two or three weeks went by, and I didn’t find anything. Then one
day I read a book where the author quoted the verse in a different translation
than I was used to, and it blew me away. The New Living begins the verse this
way:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">For we are God’s masterpiece…NLT<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I realized then that God’s focus for me in bringing that
verse to my attention was not in “doing” but in “being.” He wanted me to focus on
the fact that I am His masterpiece. My identity and worth are not based on what
I do or how well I do it. It is all based on the One who made me. It is based
on my relationship with Him as His adopted and beloved child. When I wrote
those definitions of who I am at the conference, the title “daughter of the
King” was a textbook answer. It was something I knew to be true, but not really
how I saw myself. God has been teaching me slowly to see that His definition of
me and my worth is the only one that matters. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">While most of the definitions I used did describe me in some
way, there is one that is completely untrue. That one is “sinner.” Please
believe that I am not saying I am without sin. What I mean is that I no longer
carry that title. See, sinners are people who are not saved, people in bondage
to sin. Once we believe in Christ and give our lives to Him, once we are given
the title “child of God”, we become saints. Albeit we are saints who sin, but
we are no longer sinners, no longer people bound to sin and unable to love or
follow God or turn away from sin. You may think this is a pointless debate on
semantics, but it makes a profound difference because as saints we are no
longer defined by our sin. We still fall into temptation and sin, but we are no
longer controlled by it. We are defined and controlled by God’s Spirit in us.
Paul obviously held that view because several of his epistles were addressed to
“the saints” in that city.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When we accept Jesus’ sacrifice for our sin, to pay the debt
we owe, and are given new life in God, we are no longer bound to sin or defined
by what we do. We cannot earn it, but it is ours. It is kind of like having an
honorary doctorate, except in this university the test is pass/fail and only
perfection will make the grade. So, everyone is trying for this doctorate
(which is heaven), but we can never be good enough on our own. None of our
efforts will ever be good enough because they are tainted by our sin. The only
way to receive this degree is through Christ. If we accept His help, He does
the work for us, and we submit the paper written by Him but under our name.
Then we are accepted and receive the degree without having done anything to
earn it. Of course, we should work with Him and learn what we can for our own
benefit, but our work will not affect our grade. That is basically
righteousness, having a right standing before God based on Jesus’ perfection.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuN-sDfIjC9Di9H3luL7x6BTnccKmRExmZ5z6n81TAbyu7R81wPCV6afZR1Gvr9P2c8uYH6N8zGLfUAX3p7idmRqCthJwbfnJgQO98hR4LbEpiTpTYIksCByA4hweiGFw1AaPtTrNyOu5ni-BRK1VAkIbuWdPLB7hMbpP3mpfz4tHlJLnNHG4Jt_xw/s535/Screenshot_20230423-164939-495.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="528" data-original-width="535" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuN-sDfIjC9Di9H3luL7x6BTnccKmRExmZ5z6n81TAbyu7R81wPCV6afZR1Gvr9P2c8uYH6N8zGLfUAX3p7idmRqCthJwbfnJgQO98hR4LbEpiTpTYIksCByA4hweiGFw1AaPtTrNyOu5ni-BRK1VAkIbuWdPLB7hMbpP3mpfz4tHlJLnNHG4Jt_xw/s320/Screenshot_20230423-164939-495.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">During a study on Romans, I learned about this symbol. It is
the Chinese word for “righteousness” and is made of two characters: lamb over
me. When Christian missionaries first arrived in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">China</st1:country-region></st1:place> there was no word in the
language for righteousness, but they had this practice with sheep. If a mother
lost her lamb and they wanted her to adopt an orphan, the easiest way to do
that is to take the hide off the dead lamb and tie it on the back of the orphan.
Livestock animals recognize others by their scent, not sight, so when the
mother smells the orphan, she will smell her baby and accept it as her own. By
the time the hide falls off, the orphan will have drunk enough of her milk to
smell like her and the match will be made. It is that way with God. We are born
orphans, enemies of God and lost in the world of sin. But Christ, the perfect Lamb
of God, died so that if we believe in Him, His blood will cover us so that when
God looks at us, He sees His Son and accepts us as His own. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1 Peter 1:18-19<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">Knowing that you were not redeemed
with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life
inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb
unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That is how we are made righteous. It has nothing to do with
who we are or what job we have. It doesn’t matter what we have done. God loves
us no matter what and if we accept Jesus, He will adopt us as His children. We
cannot earn it, nor can we “lose” His love. It doesn’t matter if we have
children, how we raise them, or how many times we mess up. It doesn’t matter if
we do things the way others think we should, or even if we do everything we
think we should. It is all based on His love and sacrifice for us, nothing of
ourselves. Our worth and value is all based on what He did for us, in our
place. He didn’t even do it because we deserved it. That is the point of grace
and mercy. Grace is receiving an underserved gift, and mercy is being forgiven
a debt owed. We cannot deserve or earn either. He did it simply because He
loves us.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What defines you? Do you live under the cloud of what you do,
or don’t do, or have done? Let God define you. Be willing to see yourself as He
does. Stop the rat race to prove your worth. Stop comparing yourself to those
around you, whether you are doing it to see if you are doing what you should,
or to prove that you are better. Don’t let others define you. Let go of the
desire and need to prove your worth and let God’s love be enough. Let go of
your doubt and shame, let go of your pride and conceit. Both of those come from
looking around. Look up. Be ok with not earning or proving anything. Stop living
a works-based religion and live in the freedom of His love and grace. Let that
freedom fulfill you so that you can fully live out your calling as mom.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If you do not believe in God, if you have not accepted Jesus’
sacrifice for you, will you now? Will you allow Him to define you and give you
worth?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">WHO I AM IN CHRIST Originally Compiled by Neil Anderson <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I AM ACCEPTED... • I am God's child. (John 1:12) • As a
disciple, I am a friend of Jesus Christ. (John 15:15) • I have been justified
(declared righteous). (Romans 5:1) • I am united with the Lord, and I am one
with Him in spirit. (1 Corinthians 6:17) • I have been bought with a price and
I belong to God. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) • I am a member of Christ's body. (1
Corinthians 12:27) • I have been chosen by God and adopted as His child.
(Ephesians 1:3-8) • I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins.
(Colossians 1:13-14) • I am complete in Christ. (Colossians 2:9-10) • I have
direct access to the throne of grace through Jesus Christ. (Hebrews 4:14-16) <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I AM SECURE... • I am free from condemnation. (Romans 8:1-2)
• I am assured that God works for my good in all circumstances. (Romans 8:28) •
I am free from any condemnation brought against me and I cannot be separated
from the love of God. (Romans 8:31-39) • I have been established, anointed and
sealed by God. (2 Corinthians 1:21-22) • I am hidden with Christ in God.
(Colossians 3:1-4) • I am confident that God will complete the good work He
started in me. (Philippians 1:6) • I am a citizen of heaven. (Philippians 3:20)
• I have not been given a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind.
(2 Timothy 1:10) • I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me. (1 John
5:18) • I am a branch of Jesus Christ, the true vine, and a channel of His
life. (John 15:5) • I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit. (John
15:16) • I am God's temple. (1 Corinthians 3:16) <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I AM SIGNIFICANT…• I am a minister of reconciliation for God.
(2 Corinthians 5:17-21) • I am seated with Jesus Christ in the heavenly realm.
(Ephesians 2:6) • I am God's workmanship. (Ephesians 2:10) • I may approach God
with freedom and confidence. (Ephesians 3:12) • I can do all things through
Christ, who strengthens me.<o:p></o:p></p>Evelyn Brayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01717418297995190890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797699921068647384.post-67210924677565445732022-08-29T06:13:00.000-07:002022-08-29T06:13:15.613-07:00Prayer for the Finish<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQt_a0ohLx09pd9tUk_SZbYeFG5ZXSSL6yekw9d7UJfOLdpzrv02PzwP94JmKEccofffG62vhA0FgUxNpaG7E5iS9JC8waSKt8Id2vOYJ2GbhDu7-hnsc3pmLzqDL94sLz4ccNK-_rinVkUsr1dfTzO4kaeRDlnAFXcG-5sGgknnv43orlQ4YfP1HP/s900/bigstock-Active-Mountain-Trail-Runner-D-448988953.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="565" data-original-width="900" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQt_a0ohLx09pd9tUk_SZbYeFG5ZXSSL6yekw9d7UJfOLdpzrv02PzwP94JmKEccofffG62vhA0FgUxNpaG7E5iS9JC8waSKt8Id2vOYJ2GbhDu7-hnsc3pmLzqDL94sLz4ccNK-_rinVkUsr1dfTzO4kaeRDlnAFXcG-5sGgknnv43orlQ4YfP1HP/s320/bigstock-Active-Mountain-Trail-Runner-D-448988953.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />One of the benefits of prayer is that it increases your heart's sensitivity to God's leading. Over the course of this year, God has called me to step down from almost every ministry that I have been involved in, most recently writing this blog. I don't know why God is calling me to step back, but I do know that I have to follow His direction, even if I don't understand it. I appreciate all who have read and supported my writing, and would appreciate your prayers as I enter this time of uncertainty. You can still connect with me on my <a href="www.facebook.com/evelynbray.author ">facebook page</a>, for the time being at least I will occasionally verses and past articles there.<p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>If you would like to continue the year of prayer journey on your own, here are the prayer points and main verses:</p><p>Week 34:Your Will Be Done- Matthew 6:10</p><p>Week 35: God's Provision- Matthew 6:11</p><p>Week 36: Forgiveness- Matthew 6:12</p><p>Week 37: Deliverance and Temptation- Matthew 6:13</p><p>Week 38: Current Events (use newspapers to guide prayer)- Psalm 67:2</p><p>Week 39: Bearing Burdens (pray for specific people)- Galatians 6:1-3</p><p>Week 40: Contentment- Philippians 4:12</p><p>Week 41: Include Another (ask someone to pray for you as well)- Romans 15:30</p><p>Week 42: Cravings to Prayer (fast one meal a day and allow cravings to prompt prayer instead of eating)- Matthew 6:16-18</p><p>Week 43: Prayer for the Home (pray in a different room each day)- Proverbs 3:33</p><p>Week 44: Prayer for Family (focus on a different family member each day)- Psalm 101:2</p><p>Week 45: Speaking the Word (read Scripture aloud during prayer time)- Deuteronomy 30:14</p><p>Week 46: Sharing Your Prayers (write prayers for others on cards to send to the person you prayed for)- 1 Thessalonians 5:11</p><p>Week 47: Spiritual Legacy (thank God for those who have influenced your spiritual walk and write notes of thanks to them) -1 Thessalonians 1:2-3</p><p>Week 48: The Armor of God (pray through the armor focusing on 1 piece each day +v18 on day 7)- Ephesians 6:10-11,18</p><p>Week 49: Thy Will Be Done (ask God's direction and purpose in your life and every decision/action)- Proverbs 19:21</p><p>Week 50: Practice of the Presence of God- Hebrews 12:2</p><p>Week 51: Pray this Promise- Proverbs 4:11-12</p><p>Week 52: Prayer Walk (go to a public place and pray for the people you see as you walk)- Ephesians 1:18</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> Prayer points taken from <i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Praying Through Adversity</i><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none;"> by Jennifer Kennedy Dean.</span></p><div><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none;"><br /></span></div>Evelyn Brayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01717418297995190890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797699921068647384.post-36947088030659043462022-08-21T13:54:00.000-07:002022-08-21T13:54:54.690-07:00Prayer Week 33: Your Father<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICiUlo0VhkIt0CHMqhXO6u6JLlexhEukciZ5f6gazpf1Hl8h_BGpGCSag8yOKBOmmtjVTO7b56JZTx8F2Kvwui29CEismZqyH6qzVWXR6G82CQJik5z7Jb6QjeJbU7uyaQ29aW1h59_jd5MYXblhpHnbM8luzO0Q2jf0Q35mIAoiUUIjDL1qdMaEk/s900/bigstock-Christian-Dad-Tells-His-Son-Bi-431780369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICiUlo0VhkIt0CHMqhXO6u6JLlexhEukciZ5f6gazpf1Hl8h_BGpGCSag8yOKBOmmtjVTO7b56JZTx8F2Kvwui29CEismZqyH6qzVWXR6G82CQJik5z7Jb6QjeJbU7uyaQ29aW1h59_jd5MYXblhpHnbM8luzO0Q2jf0Q35mIAoiUUIjDL1qdMaEk/s320/bigstock-Christian-Dad-Tells-His-Son-Bi-431780369.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Father’s are a big part of our lives. The role they play is
far more important that most people (fathers and children alike) realize. Without
fathers, children are significantly more likely to do drugs, join gangs, and go
to prison, etc. Even those whose fathers live at home can suffer from the lack
of interaction they have. While the role an earthly father plays is vital, it
pales in comparison to the role of our heavenly Father.<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matthew 6:9 New American Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span class="woj"><span style="color: black;">“Pray, then, in this way:</span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1.6rem; line-height: 2.4rem; margin-left: .5in; min-width: 0px;"><span class="woj"><span style="color: black;">‘Our
Father who is in heaven,</span></span><br />
<span class="woj"><span style="color: black;">Hallowed be Your name.</span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Galatians 4:6 New American Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span class="textgal-4-6"><span style="color: black;">Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of
His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”</span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Psalm 68:5-6a New American Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span class="textps-68-5"><span style="color: black;">A father of the fatherless and a judge for
the widows,</span></span><br />
<span class="textps-68-5"><span style="color: black;">Is God in His holy
habitation.</span></span><br />
<span class="textps-68-6"><span style="color: black;"><span id="en-NASB1995-14907">God makes
a home for the lonely;</span></span></span><br />
<span class="textps-68-6"><span style="color: black;">He leads out the
prisoners into prosperity.</span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Lord’s Prayer is a model to help us learn to pray. Many have
a hard time seeing God as their Father, either because they had problems with
their earthly father or they were taught to view Him in some other way, but I
know some who lost their fathers and God replaced that void in their lives so
that they did not suffer in the way most do. We need to remember that God is
not like man; rather man can be like God. God is the perfect Father, what every
earthly father should be. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When we pray we need to remember Who we are really talking
to, and let that truth change our attitudes and hearts rather than allowing our
experiences to dictate our view of God. For the next month we will be focusing
on the Lord’s Prayer, allowing each phrase to impact the way we pray and our
relationship with God.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This week as you pray, focus on Matthew 6:9. Think of God as
your Father, the best Father. Let that impact (and if necessary change) your
view of Him. How does His role as Father in your life affect your needs and desires?
Journal your thoughts. Hallowed means to be made holy, glorified. How can His
name be exalted and glorified in your life? How can that be evident in the midst
of your current needs?</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p> Prayer points taken from <i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Praying Through Adversity</i><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none;"> by Jennifer Kennedy Dean.</span></p><div><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none;"><br /></span></div>Evelyn Brayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01717418297995190890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797699921068647384.post-61055667571444140342022-08-14T15:07:00.000-07:002022-08-14T15:07:26.535-07:00Prayer Week 32: Inner Peace<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN90EiSZzjGAHe34EFZ4sOsp8kFyCN255lUaH_Emh6_bt9Kz8me59i9uQ4rVM_a0AV5OxMb5Lwfp3vkWmIhIgu5JM40vFqoMnIuTlD581YFbcpi4xsmcMqzOCfTLbbqATpOShVatuVFweg8f3-icBXmcKU44r7RsYM8Loeg1ZEyr0733JhmC9UuQk2/s900/bigstock-Carefree-Woman-Meditating-In-N-227435068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN90EiSZzjGAHe34EFZ4sOsp8kFyCN255lUaH_Emh6_bt9Kz8me59i9uQ4rVM_a0AV5OxMb5Lwfp3vkWmIhIgu5JM40vFqoMnIuTlD581YFbcpi4xsmcMqzOCfTLbbqATpOShVatuVFweg8f3-icBXmcKU44r7RsYM8Loeg1ZEyr0733JhmC9UuQk2/s320/bigstock-Carefree-Woman-Meditating-In-N-227435068.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />We all want peace. No one really enjoys conflict, especially
not when it involves or affects them in some way. We want peace in our homes,
communities, countries and lives. That is what we were made for; to live in
peace, at peace with everyone. Conflict is the result of sin, whether directly
or indirectly. Many cultures have different views on where peace comes from and
how to get it. How can we have peace?<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Psalm 16:8-9 New American Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span class="textps-16-8"><span style="color: black;">I have set the </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="color: black; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="textps-16-8"><span style="color: black;"> continually before me;</span></span><br />
<span class="textps-16-8"><span style="color: black;">Because He is at my
right hand, I will not be shaken.</span></span><br />
<span class="textps-16-9"><span style="color: black;"><span id="en-NASB1995-14102">Therefore my
heart is glad and my glory rejoices;</span></span></span><br />
<span class="textps-16-9"><span style="color: black;">My flesh also will dwell
securely.</span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Isaiah 26:3 New American Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span class="textisa-26-3"><span style="color: black;">The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace,</span></span><br />
<span class="textisa-26-3"><span style="color: black;">Because he trusts in You.</span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Isaiah 9:6-7a New American Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span class="textisa-9-6"><span style="color: black;">For a child will be born to us, a son will be
given to us;</span></span><br />
<span class="textisa-9-6"><span style="color: black;">And the government
will rest on His shoulders;</span></span><br />
<span class="textisa-9-6"><span style="color: black;">And His name will be
called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,</span></span><br />
<span class="textisa-9-6"><span style="color: black;">Eternal Father, Prince
of Peace.</span></span><br />
<span class="textisa-9-7"><span style="color: black;"><span id="en-NASB1995-17837">There
will be no end to the increase of <i>His</i> government or of
peace,</span></span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">John 14:27 New American Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span class="woj"><span style="color: black;">Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the
world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let
it be fearful.</span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">John 16:33 New American Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span class="woj"><span style="color: black;">These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you
may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take
courage; I have overcome the world.</span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">True, lasting peace comes only from God, from trusting,
relying and resting solely in Him. As I said the ultimate reason we do not have
peace is because of sin. Our sinful attitudes and choices cause conflict with others,
but it also causes discord with God. Even if we had no conflict with another
person and lived in physical peace, we would still not have “inner peace”
because we would be at odds with God. That is why Jesus died on the cross, to
pay the penalty for our sins so He could bridge the gap between us and God, so
that we could finally be at peace with Him.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It is only through believing and trusting in Him that we can
have that inner peace the secular world so longs for. No amount of emptying our
minds or positive thinking will give it to us. And no amount of trying to be
good and making peace with others will work if we do not have the Prince of
Peace dwelling within us. We can only know peace by living in His righteousness
(ceasing to strive to be perfect on our own), living according to His commands
(which will produce the best outcome in our dealings with others), and trusting
Him completely with our lives and circumstances. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The people I know who have the most inner turmoil are those
who, instead of trusting God with what is going on, try to manipulate people
and circumstances, who try to maintain control over their lives. When this
inevitable fails they are filled with worry and anxiety because life is out of
their control. Unfortunately, that is the reality of life. No one truly has
control over anything, but God has control of everything. If we trust in Him,
that He is sovereign (completely in control of everything) and also completely
good and loving, we will have peace. We need to trust that God has the power to
do everything and that He is working for our good and His glory. We need to
trust in His character, that He is a completely and perfectly just, loving,
merciful God. We really cannot trust Him truly if we do not believe these
things.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This week as you pray, first repent and ask Him to forgive
your sins, for we cannot have anything from God, least of all peace, if we are
at odds with Him. Then ask Him to help you trust in Him and fill you with His peace.
Let go of what is worrying you, what you are trying to control and give it to Him.
Feel His peace flow through you. Begin each morning by consciously trusting in
Him and relaxing in His arms. Breathe deeply and slowly, and as you breathe out
let that peace fill you. Feel your body relax. Enjoy the feeling of peace and
restfulness that comes from trusting completely in God. Let thoughts of Him
fill your mind and saturate you with His peace. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p> Prayer points taken from <i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Praying Through Adversity</i><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none;"> by Jennifer Kennedy Dean.</span></p><div><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none;"><br /></span></div>Evelyn Brayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01717418297995190890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797699921068647384.post-4796482349360217622022-08-07T11:56:00.001-07:002022-08-14T08:05:07.139-07:00Prayer Week 31: The Power of a Name<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHctuSeGaP9C0a_YidV1C7jork14wZF5L7-krc9y9pLcl5FhRxb_J16ljoKFbk2rkZIVyGrPxODiz9UwypMdBf0l8aW25ol1PTZ0EqWW-jhPKzYEjk8eof_eJWpwPRXj9SCmfX_u9edJ5CJ0y7qGxIvF54I2Wn2S_uuNdqChLeuV-PuRC1Bj9Cusgk/s900/bigstock-Hand-Lettering-With-Bible-Vers-352031639.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="667" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHctuSeGaP9C0a_YidV1C7jork14wZF5L7-krc9y9pLcl5FhRxb_J16ljoKFbk2rkZIVyGrPxODiz9UwypMdBf0l8aW25ol1PTZ0EqWW-jhPKzYEjk8eof_eJWpwPRXj9SCmfX_u9edJ5CJ0y7qGxIvF54I2Wn2S_uuNdqChLeuV-PuRC1Bj9Cusgk/s320/bigstock-Hand-Lettering-With-Bible-Vers-352031639.jpg" width="237" /></a></div><br />What’s in a name? It used to be very common, especially in
some cultures, to be very careful and intentional about choosing baby names,
and some still carry that belief. For some it is less of a superstition and
more a way of blessing their child. They might be named for a dear friend or
relative, an historical figure who possessed a quality they valued, or have a
meaning that is particularly special to them. For example, the name I chose to
write under means “light on a hill” in Gaelic, which is my purpose for writing.
While all of these things are nice and special, is there really any power in a
name?<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><b>Psalm 9:10 New American Standard
Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span class="textps-9-10"><span style="color: black;">And those who know Your name will put their trust
in You,</span></span><br />
<span class="textps-9-10"><span style="color: black;">For You, O </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="color: black; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="textps-9-10"><span style="color: black;">, have not forsaken those who
seek You.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jeremiah 33:2-3 New American Standard Bible 1995 </b>(emphasis added)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span class="textjer-33-2"><span style="color: black;">Thus says the </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="color: black; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="textjer-33-2"><span style="color: black;"> who made <i>the earth</i>,
the </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="color: black; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="textjer-33-2"><span style="color: black;"> who formed it to establish it, <u>the </u></span></span><span class="small-caps"><u><span style="color: black; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></u></span><span class="textjer-33-2"><u><span style="color: black;"> is His name</span></u><span style="color: black;">,</span></span> <span class="textjer-33-3"><span style="color: black;">‘Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell
you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><b>Matthew 1:21 New American
Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span class="textmatt-1-21"><span style="color: black;">She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name
Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><b>John 20:30-31 New American
Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span class="textjohn-20-30"><span style="color: black;">Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the
presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book;</span></span> <span class="textjohn-20-31"><span style="color: black;">but these have been
written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the
Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><b>Acts 2:38 New American Standard
Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span class="textacts-2-38"><span style="color: black;">Peter <i>said</i> to them, “Repent, and each of
you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your
sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There is only one name that truly has power: the name of
Jesus. Because He is God, his name carries with it an inherent power that will
send the enemy scrambling. It can bring light into the darkest hole and peace
to the most troubled heart. It even has the power to bend the will, for one day
at the name of Jesus every knee will bow. This is not some theoretical fluff.
It is true and real. Speaking the name of Jesus audibly has power. The other
names of God can also have power in our situations:</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Refiner</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Malachi 3:3 New
American Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="textmal-3-3"><span style="color: black;">He will
sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of
Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to
the </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="color: black; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="textmal-3-3"><span style="color: black;"> offerings
in righteousness.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">God With Us<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matthew 1:23 New
American Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="textmatt-1-23"><span style="color: black;">“</span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="color: black; font-variant: small-caps;">Behold, the
virgin shall be with</span></span><span class="textmatt-1-23"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="color: black; font-variant: small-caps;">child and shall bear a Son, and
they shall call His name</span></span><span class="textmatt-1-23"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="color: black; font-variant: small-caps;">Immanuel</span></span><span class="textmatt-1-23"><span style="color: black;">,” which translated means, “</span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="color: black; font-variant: small-caps;">God with us</span></span><span class="textmatt-1-23"><span style="color: black;">.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Light<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">John 1:9 New American
Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="textjohn-1-9"><span style="color: black;">There
was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every
man.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bread of Life <o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">John 6:35 New
American Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="textjohn-6-35"><span style="color: black;">Jesus
said to them, </span></span><span class="woj"><span style="color: black;">“I
am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes
in Me will never thirst.”</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Good Shepherd<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">John 10:11 New
American Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="woj"><span style="color: black;">“I am the good
shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Teacher and Lord<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">John 13:13 New
American Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="woj"><span style="color: black;">You call
Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for <i>so</i> I
am.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Vine<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">John 15:5 New
American Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="woj"><span style="color: black;">I am the vine, you
are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit,
for apart from Me you can do nothing.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Each of these names is significant and portrays part of
God’s character. They can have power in our lives, not as much as the name
Jesus, but to encourage our hearts and remind us of His character and the
promises He has made to us. Knowing the names of God helps us to know God
Himself, and using them in prayer deepens our relationship with Him.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This week as you pray focus on one of these names each day.
Think about what that names means to you this day in this circumstance. What
promise does it hold for you? Let Him show you your need or desire illuminated
by that name. Let this week enrich your prayer life and relationship with God.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p> Prayer points taken from <i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Praying Through Adversity</i><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none;"> by Jennifer Kennedy Dean.</span></p><div><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none;"><br /></span></div>Evelyn Brayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01717418297995190890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797699921068647384.post-53427726974689879082022-07-31T20:43:00.002-07:002022-07-31T20:43:51.792-07:00Prayer Week 30: Your Legacy<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5oOhDU23_LDtebsp0byaUSMZU2MY1CW4gcmNILvM2EYdw13NGnW1oTeqQPClyu9yfWyRkH6uil0Hi9UWAuDyR0ZNhDYpKAGFSBPPInL4LY7T_ad4GqWTmMDGq0xDAs-g8f7UVCKnsjl0GFRPl0sVjX-LTdD5Zlnt8dJqK7ViUyIUvtfcgdLIJYbL5/s900/bigstock-Father-And-Son-With-Grandfathe-448258801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5oOhDU23_LDtebsp0byaUSMZU2MY1CW4gcmNILvM2EYdw13NGnW1oTeqQPClyu9yfWyRkH6uil0Hi9UWAuDyR0ZNhDYpKAGFSBPPInL4LY7T_ad4GqWTmMDGq0xDAs-g8f7UVCKnsjl0GFRPl0sVjX-LTdD5Zlnt8dJqK7ViUyIUvtfcgdLIJYbL5/s320/bigstock-Father-And-Son-With-Grandfathe-448258801.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Most people want to be remembered, especially a certain way.
What will they say about us at our funerals? Will we have a lasting impact on
future generations? Will we leave our mark? What we don’t realize is that it is
usually the small, every day things which are the most important. A friend just
shared that she learned as a counselor at summer teen camp last week that we
need to dream big, but live small. The dream of reaching thousands is huge, and
not unrealistic, but it starts with one person, being intentional in our
interactions. And we never know who that person might be that is most
influenced.<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Psalm 102:18 New American Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span class="textps-102-18"><span style="color: black;">This will be written for the generation to come,</span></span><br />
<span class="textps-102-18"><span style="color: black;">That a people yet to
be created may praise the </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="color: black; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="textps-102-18"><span style="color: black;">.</span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Deuteronomy 31:19 New American Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span class="textdeut-31-19"><span style="color: black;">Now therefore, write this song for yourselves, and
teach it to the sons of <st1:country-region w:st="on">Israel</st1:country-region>;
put it on their lips, so that this song may be a witness for Me against
the sons of <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Israel</st1:place></st1:country-region>.</span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1 Corinthians 10:11 New American Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span class="text1cor-10-11"><span style="color: black;">Now these things happened to them as an example,
and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the
ages have come.</span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Psalm 78:6-8 New American Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span class="textps-78-6"><span style="color: black;">That the generation to come might know, <i>even</i> the
children <i>yet</i> to be born,</span></span><br />
<span class="textps-78-6"><i><span style="color: black;">That</span></i><span style="color: black;"> they may arise and tell <i>them</i> to
their children,</span></span><br />
<span class="textps-78-7"><span style="color: black;"><span id="en-NASB1995-15121">That
they should put their confidence in God</span></span></span><br />
<span class="textps-78-7"><span style="color: black;">And not forget the works
of God,</span></span><br />
<span class="textps-78-7"><span style="color: black;">But keep His
commandments,</span></span><br />
<span class="textps-78-8"><span style="color: black;"><span id="en-NASB1995-15122">And not
be like their fathers,</span></span></span><br />
<span class="textps-78-8"><span style="color: black;">A stubborn and
rebellious generation,</span></span><br />
<span class="textps-78-8"><span style="color: black;">A generation that did
not prepare its heart</span></span><br />
<span class="textps-78-8"><span style="color: black;">And whose spirit was
not faithful to God.</span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The people in the Bible did not know that their story would
ever make it in a book, that people thousands of years later would know what they
did or learn from their experiences. They may have acted differently if they
had. With the exception of Abraham, most had no clue that they were part of a
bigger story. They were just living day to day like us. Some of those stories
are positive and inspiring, while others show a good example of what <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">not</b> to do. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The point is that every person has a story, an experience to
share, a testimony to witness to the goodness of God, but most don’t realize it,
or think that it is not important. We all make an impact for eternity. The question
is what kind of impact will that be? Given the option, what would we choose to
share?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This week as you pray, write a letter to those who will come
after you. Write a little bit each day; it could be a paragraph, sentence, or
just a thought. It doesn’t have to be elaborate or profound. Just think about
what you want to pass along to those who come after you. What kind of spiritual
legacy do you want to leave? Not only will this help you become more
intentional, but it will also help clarify what God means to you, which will in
turn stir up genuine praise and thanksgiving.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p> Prayer points taken from <i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Praying Through Adversity</i><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none;"> by Jennifer Kennedy Dean.</span></p><div><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none;"><br /></span></div>Evelyn Brayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01717418297995190890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797699921068647384.post-47317793562472977222022-07-24T13:24:00.000-07:002022-07-24T13:24:22.423-07:00Prayer Week 29: This Day<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0m-jrOjlU-11o3Emu8p8hAxalQTbMDfcJhn9NtsuDgoG1CXrCQCEi0lYnc9D0QEJgGLxcdbXaQK4OrchFrre9IkaoTPQNrAA4agrFrxEs9JupuO4xsYIEFIuTtjmpzkrHZdx8aQELgzlkX3_1uJTKxBGZ2WYeeZffpYFThVmu1ntFLvDY_jxsWpqw/s900/bigstock--186615700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="597" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0m-jrOjlU-11o3Emu8p8hAxalQTbMDfcJhn9NtsuDgoG1CXrCQCEi0lYnc9D0QEJgGLxcdbXaQK4OrchFrre9IkaoTPQNrAA4agrFrxEs9JupuO4xsYIEFIuTtjmpzkrHZdx8aQELgzlkX3_1uJTKxBGZ2WYeeZffpYFThVmu1ntFLvDY_jxsWpqw/s320/bigstock--186615700.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />13,353. That is how many days I have been alive, give or
take a few leap years. 13,353 opportunities to meet with God, to give the day
to Him, to appreciate the days He has given me. Unfortunately, I have not taken
advantage of most of them. That many days roll together so that it just becomes
the same ol’ same ol’, running through the motions. We rarely take the time to
appreciate something we have that seems to be a given, or to be intentional or
eternally minded on a regular basis. It usually takes something drastic, even
tragic, to wake us up so that we make the most of the time we have, but even
that doesn’t last very long.<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Psalm 118:24 New American Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span class="textps-118-24"><span style="color: black;">This is the day which the </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="color: black; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="textps-118-24"><span style="color: black;"> has made;</span></span><br />
<span class="textps-118-24"><span style="color: black;">Let us rejoice and be
glad in it.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ephesians 5:15-16 New International Version<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span class="texteph-5-15"><span style="color: black;">Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as
wise,</span></span> <span class="texteph-5-16"><span style="color: black;">making
the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Colossians 3:1-3 New International Version<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span class="textcol-3-1"><span style="color: black;">Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set
your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.</span></span> <span class="textcol-3-2"><span style="color: black;">Set your minds on things above, not
on earthly things.</span></span> <span class="textcol-3-3"><span style="color: black;">For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ
in God.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God does not want us to run through life moving from one
moment to the next as if the physical and temporal are all there is to life. He
doesn’t want us living for ourselves as if nothing we do really matters that
much. God wants us to be intentional about everything because even the smallest
action, choice or even inaction makes a difference and affects someone somehow.
We need to be wise in our lives, not <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">just</i>
in the big life choices, but in every choice, in everything we do. We need to
be aware of the impact that everything we do has on eternity. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">"Recently I asked a
group of students, “What can people create that lasts the longest?” They
paused, reflected, and they gave a few different answers including
archaeological remains such as the Egyptian pyramids and Machu Pichu.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Then I followed up with
another question: “Can humans create anything that lasts forever?” They
reflected again for a brief period, but all agreed that the answer is no. After
all, they said, everything eventually falls apart. Even though I pressed them
for an answer, they concluded that humans are incapable of creating anything
that lasts forever.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I simply replied, “I think
you are missing something. With God’s power, humans can make something that
lasts forever––other human beings.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I went on to explain to them
that God made humans as both body and soul (Matthew 10:28). Physical things in
this world do fade away, including our present bodies, but each person has a
soul that will never cease to exist, which will be joined to a new body in the
resurrection. In fact, after a trillion, trillion, trillion years from now, you
will have just as much time left in eternity as you do today. Mind-boggling.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">This is why, as my friend
Jeremy Pettitt observed, “Sex is the most powerful creative act in the
universe. When a man and a woman come together in a sexual relationship, the
possibility of creating an eternal soul/spirit arises. At the moment of
conception, a new immortal soul/spirit has entered into eternity.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Pause, and let this point
sink in. Seriously, re-read the last few sentences and make sure you don’t miss
that. God has created human beings with the capacity to create something that
lasts forever—other human beings."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">This excerpt is from Sean J
McDowell's book Chasing Love.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If something so seemingly insignificant as sex has that kind
of eternal power, what impact do our words and attitudes have? What about our
choices and our capacity to influence others by what we do?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This week as you start each day, begin it by thinking “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">this</i> is the day God has appointed for
me. He has given me <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">this</i> day.”
Embrace everything He brings into <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">this</i>
day, every difficulty, disappointment, joy, victory, every circumstance.
Consider them as a faith lab (for the negative) or a gift (for the positive)
from God. Start each day determining that you will rejoice and live this day
for God. Take the opportunity to be intentional about every thought, word,
choice and interaction. See how you can make an impact for eternity every
moment.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p> Prayer points taken from <i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Praying Through Adversity</i><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none;"> by Jennifer Kennedy Dean.</span></p><div><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none;"><br /></span></div>Evelyn Brayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01717418297995190890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797699921068647384.post-38147877848520076882022-07-17T13:36:00.000-07:002022-07-17T13:36:51.095-07:00Prayer Week 28: Deep Cleaning<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKxs6h7CaF_dSmBiw2nXiYF1qig6Rif4bcUNRi2x9LdsxDE8pMve0IE-A9Jyam3TllrpcQsWh2RR-mqVY6bctxsEhdm6-mggieBAp3lcY8_ZMbceS0FstYnBIv_3ykKnV27OSSvpOo4BmAceDcsrOwBL70iNX9b9gkpxT5iqMC9lxhSEPT5lKu00bv/s900/bigstock-Family-Doing-Spring-Cleaning-15706247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="900" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKxs6h7CaF_dSmBiw2nXiYF1qig6Rif4bcUNRi2x9LdsxDE8pMve0IE-A9Jyam3TllrpcQsWh2RR-mqVY6bctxsEhdm6-mggieBAp3lcY8_ZMbceS0FstYnBIv_3ykKnV27OSSvpOo4BmAceDcsrOwBL70iNX9b9gkpxT5iqMC9lxhSEPT5lKu00bv/s320/bigstock-Family-Doing-Spring-Cleaning-15706247.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Spring cleaning, deep cleaning, purging are common practices
people do when “the fit takes them.” The idea of getting rid of old or unused
items and cleaning everything are good, useful and healthy, helping clear our
homes of clutter and filth. I recently cleaned my fridge for the first time in
years. I hadn’t noticed before that it was very dirty, but it looks and smells
so much better now! While the common trends are on cleansing the home, how
often do we focus on cleansing our soul?<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Psalm 139:23-24 New American Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span class="textps-139-23"><span style="color: black;">Search me, O God, and know my heart;</span></span><br />
<span class="textps-139-23"><span style="color: black;">Try me and know my anxious
thoughts;</span></span><br />
<span class="textps-139-24"><span style="color: black;">And see if there be
any hurtful way in me,</span></span><br />
<span class="textps-139-24"><span style="color: black;">And lead me in
the everlasting way.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Job 31:6 New American Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span class="textjob-31-6"><span style="color: black;">Let Him weigh me with accurate scales,</span></span><br />
<span class="textjob-31-6"><span style="color: black;">And let God know my
integrity.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Psalm 26:2 New American Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span class="textps-26-2"><span style="color: black;">Examine me, O </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="color: black; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="textps-26-2"><span style="color: black;">, and try me;</span></span><br />
<span class="textps-26-2"><span style="color: black;">Test my mind and my
heart.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Proverbs 17:3 New American Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span class="textprov-17-3"><span style="color: black;">The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold,</span></span><br />
<span class="textprov-17-3"><span style="color: black;">But the </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="color: black; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="textprov-17-3"><span style="color: black;"> tests hearts.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Psalm 51:10-11 New American Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span class="textps-51-10"><span style="color: black;">Create in me a clean heart, O God,</span></span><br />
<span class="textps-51-10"><span style="color: black;">And
renew a steadfast spirit within me.</span></span><br />
<span class="textps-51-11"><span style="color: black;">Do not cast me away from
Your presence</span></span><br />
<span class="textps-51-11"><span style="color: black;">And do not take
Your Holy Spirit from me.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">While our emphasis is cleansing what can be seen by others,
we often ignore and even avoid cleansing what is hidden. The deep places of our
hearts are areas we don’t want anyone to see, or even to acknowledge that they
exist. However, God knows everything. He already knows what is in the recesses
or our souls and minds, and only He can cleanse them. Unfortunately, this is a
painful, and sometimes humiliating, process. It requires admitting what we want
to deny, revealing what we want to hide, and removing what we secretly hold
tight. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Only God can accurately assess our hearts and reveal what is
inside. Our hearts are deceitful and want to make out that they are better than
they really are. We are misled into believing that we don’t have anything to
deal with, that our sin is taken care of or not really that bad. We are fooled
into believing that we are good enough. Only God sees us truly as we really are
without the screens and facades we hide behind. Only He has the power to remove
what has us bound, to release the chains of sin and free us to live like Him.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This week as you pray, open your heart and mind to God. Ask
Him to do a deep clean on your life, clear out the clutter and expose anything
that is getting in the way of your relationship with Him, preventing you from
experiencing His abundant life. Don’t resist this process. He wants you to be
fully and completely His, free from the bondage of sin and the tentacles of the
world that still cling to you. He wants to deliver you from anything that
weakens His power in your life. Keep a journal of what He brings to mind and
actively seek to remove those things. Ask Him to help you clear the closet and
set you free!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p> Prayer points taken from <i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Praying Through Adversity</i><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none;"> by Jennifer Kennedy Dean.</span></p><div><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none;"><br /></span></div>Evelyn Brayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01717418297995190890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797699921068647384.post-11710688435081539612022-07-10T16:35:00.000-07:002022-07-10T16:35:59.242-07:00Prayer Week 27: Be Still<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE11z3ZXnMsf83Tghp6QoRcvXfZCnzJjMSFMBo7bYwhdW2yC5qkDIZhzqAAur56qz79txcbP3DWYIfTCAuuZOHKWwer9frp8u1GA1_LxytDF_uAKV5jyuv_cp9eXjrnoLCtvkwF-NzAnpvQD1rx2a8EzeMZLTZ1ofWwQZezEveRPs_72M2dOzLlrEz/s900/bigstock-Baby-Holds-Fathers-Thumb-In-Ha-456677777.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE11z3ZXnMsf83Tghp6QoRcvXfZCnzJjMSFMBo7bYwhdW2yC5qkDIZhzqAAur56qz79txcbP3DWYIfTCAuuZOHKWwer9frp8u1GA1_LxytDF_uAKV5jyuv_cp9eXjrnoLCtvkwF-NzAnpvQD1rx2a8EzeMZLTZ1ofWwQZezEveRPs_72M2dOzLlrEz/s320/bigstock-Baby-Holds-Fathers-Thumb-In-Ha-456677777.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />In our busy, fast paced world we have a hard time being in
the moment. We are more intent on taking selfies or sharing what is going on
than actually enjoying what is happening. We have lost the art of “being
present.” This not only disrupts our relationships with others, but also with
God. It is hard enough to be “with” someone sitting across from us, let alone
someone whom we cannot see or feel.<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Psalm 46:10 New American Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span class="textps-46-10"><span style="color: black;">“Cease <i>striving</i> and know that I am
God;</span></span><br />
<span class="textps-46-10"><span style="color: black;">I will be exalted among
the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”</span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Exodus 14:13-14 New American Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span class="textexod-14-13"><span style="color: black;">But Moses said to the people, “Do not fear! Stand by
and see the salvation of the </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="color: black; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="textexod-14-13"><span style="color: black;"> which He will accomplish
for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see
them again forever.</span></span> <span id="en-NASB1995-1904"><span class="textexod-14-14"><span style="color: black;">The </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="color: black; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="textexod-14-14"><span style="color: black;"> will fight for you
while you keep silent.”</span></span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Psalm 62:5-6 New American Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span class="textps-62-5"><span style="color: black;">My soul, wait in silence for God only,</span></span><br />
<span class="textps-62-5"><span style="color: black;">For my hope is from Him.</span></span><br />
<span class="textps-62-6"><span style="color: black;"><span id="en-NASB1995-14834">He
only is my rock and my salvation,</span></span></span><br />
<span class="textps-62-6"><span style="color: black;">My stronghold; I shall not be
shaken.</span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Psalm 37:7 New American Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span class="textps-37-7"><span style="color: black;">Rest in the </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="color: black; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="textps-37-7"><span style="color: black;"> and wait patiently
for Him;</span></span><br />
<span class="textps-37-7"><span style="color: black;">Do not fret because of him
who prospers in his way,</span></span><br />
<span class="textps-37-7"><span style="color: black;">Because of the man who
carries out wicked schemes.</span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I think the progression of Psalm 46:10 is important. Before we
can know or acknowledge God, we have to cease striving, be still. We cannot be
aware of, let alone know, Him if we are too busy or agitated to notice. The word
translated for “know” is the Hebrew <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">yada</i>
which denotes an intimate knowledge. It is not superficial content we skim from
the internet, but personal, experiential, and deep. We can’t have that when we
are focused on everything else, if we aren’t making time to be alone with Him. Interestingly,
the word for “be still” literally means to slacken. We need to loosen up,
relax, sink down into the loving arms of our Creator and let Him take care of
our worries. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If we do these things God will be praised by all who are
around us. Why? Because when the world sees that we can go through distressing,
even traumatic, circumstances with a peace and joy that passes understanding,
which can only come from God, they will not help wanting to know where it comes
from and how they can get it, too. However, it all begins with each of us
individually being still and relaxing in our Savior’s presence, knowing Him intimately
and trusting Him with our troubles. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This week in your prayer time, focus on being in the moment
with God. Let the words of Psalm 46 envelope you. Feel the power of His presence,
allowing it to fill you with peace, joy and confidence. Each morning write down
what it means to you that He is God.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p> Prayer points taken from <i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Praying Through Adversity</i><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none;"> by Jennifer Kennedy Dean.</span></p><div><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none;"><br /></span></div>Evelyn Brayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01717418297995190890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797699921068647384.post-20279025022066891212022-07-03T22:18:00.000-07:002022-07-03T22:18:06.328-07:00Prayer Week 26: Fully Known<p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTAxv3BLREKsG-dBFA1R7U1OPtbmAmc8cfRMGSVpJN8gz4g-XIEu-M9Z2z9Bry10RXY3FojbP9agjyPrn4ZN6u_hJjbdCTV6tuozeTBDnVEuYQhh_tTLw5WkIsXtlJCbdVvrZuatV8TydrCab1AKVMYPvTFmoT_Yrb78oaNFtUUOwBIlPBgVJKqvSX/s1280/1656783145862_verse_image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="717" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTAxv3BLREKsG-dBFA1R7U1OPtbmAmc8cfRMGSVpJN8gz4g-XIEu-M9Z2z9Bry10RXY3FojbP9agjyPrn4ZN6u_hJjbdCTV6tuozeTBDnVEuYQhh_tTLw5WkIsXtlJCbdVvrZuatV8TydrCab1AKVMYPvTFmoT_Yrb78oaNFtUUOwBIlPBgVJKqvSX/s320/1656783145862_verse_image.jpg" width="179" /></a></div><br />Do you hide from God? Is there a part of you or your
life that you think He doesn’t know or doesn’t care about? These are common
misconceptions for humans in general because God is not physical. It is hard to
view Him as being omnipresent when we can’t see Him. Deeper than that is the
idea that God couldn’t love us like He does if He fully knew us.<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Psalm
139:1-6 New American Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">O <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, You have searched me and
known <i>me</i>.<br />
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;<br />
You understand my thought from afar.<br />
You scrutinize my path and my lying down,<br />
And are intimately acquainted with all my ways.<br />
Even before there is a word on my tongue,<br />
Behold, O <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, You know
it all.<br />
You have enclosed me behind and before,<br />
And laid Your hand upon me.<br />
<i>Such</i> knowledge is too wonderful for me;<br />
It is <i>too</i> high, I cannot attain to it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">God is everywhere. He knows and sees everything,
even our thoughts. This is not an abstract, objective, indifferent kind of
knowledge. God intended for knowledge to be intimate and part of relationship. That
is why the Old Testament referred to intercourse as “knowing.” Unfortunately,
sin ruined that. That is why God didn’t want Adam and Eve to eat from the tree
of knowledge, it was knowing without relationship, head knowledge that either
puffs up or creates distance and even fear. God’s knowledge of mankind didn’t
change after the fall, our relationship with and perception of Him is what
changed. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sin caused knowledge to be acquainted with fear
instead of security. Sadly, now it is “natural” for us to fear being fully known,
which is why we hold back even with God, even though being fully known is what
our souls crave. We need to fight that fear (for fear is not of God) and work
to be open, especially with God, but also with others whom we can trust, like
our spouse.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">God <u>seeks</u> to know us. He searches us because
He wants that intimate, relational knowledge of us. He already knows all of our
actions, even before they happen. He even knows our every thought. Even the
deep recesses of our hearts and minds are not concealed from Him. His knowledge
of our actions is not abstract. He studies us to understand our personalities
and quirks, not to criticize but to love us. He doesn’t know us to shut us out
but to protect us. He is not tyrannical, selfish or malicious like worldly
authority figures. He does not want to use us. We were created to have
relationship with Him. This knowledge, knowing about His perfect, infinite,
complete knowledge of us, is too wonderful to grasp. We cannot fully understand
it in our sin stained, finite minds. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This week as you pray, focus on these six verses. Slowly
read through this passage and think about each phrase. Concentrate on one verse
each day and make it a personal prayer. Let God speak to you through it. Repeat
it to yourself throughout the day and pray it into every situation.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></p><p> Prayer points taken from <i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Praying Through Adversity</i><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none;"> by Jennifer Kennedy Dean.</span></p><div><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none;"><br /></span></div>Evelyn Brayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01717418297995190890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797699921068647384.post-39069555234509313072022-06-27T10:59:00.002-07:002022-07-01T08:34:37.847-07:00Prayer Week 25: Call to Obedience<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaMrrkgUennNLGmJamCHQ4z7oYDoAC3HWETSZ6qY-xduCWpjso2WJFSvd20yiGtXSpxAPyKh5v_kJDinWPO8-Qam2YIPCN2N9ih_efq28ONiK-TL8DTc_s6YlsPfWAjoWbs4xCs9-T-uFxyNTh2kge4Vcpx16EXezkipHbELdUYc58NHzS614gaKTI/s900/bigstock-Prayer-Inspirational-Quote--D-402891095.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaMrrkgUennNLGmJamCHQ4z7oYDoAC3HWETSZ6qY-xduCWpjso2WJFSvd20yiGtXSpxAPyKh5v_kJDinWPO8-Qam2YIPCN2N9ih_efq28ONiK-TL8DTc_s6YlsPfWAjoWbs4xCs9-T-uFxyNTh2kge4Vcpx16EXezkipHbELdUYc58NHzS614gaKTI/s320/bigstock-Prayer-Inspirational-Quote--D-402891095.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />We often view prayer as one way, like giving feedback on a website.
We generally don’t expect a response, especially a personal one. If anything we
get a “thank you, your opinion is important to us” or “we’re taking it under
advisement.” Sadly, we view prayer as being about us. We do all the talking and
if we do happen to listen, it’s for an answer to what we said. But how often do
we <a href="https://evelynbray-lighthill.blogspot.com/2022/05/prayer-week-20-art-of-listening.html">listen</a> for instructions, to hear a command for us to obey?<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ecclesiastes
8:5 New American Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">He who keeps
a <i>royal</i> command experiences no trouble, for a wise
heart knows the proper time and procedure.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">James 1:22</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">
<b>New American Standard Bible 1995</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who
delude themselves.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">James 1:22</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">
<b>New American Standard Bible 1995</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who
delude themselves.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">John 14:23</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">
<b>New American Standard Bible 1995</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Jesus answered and said to him, </span></span><span class="woj"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father
will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.</span>”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Luke 11:28</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">
<b>New American Standard Bible 1995</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">But He said, </span></span><span class="woj"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God
and observe it.”</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Exodus 19:5</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">
<b>New American Standard Bible 1995</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My
covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples,
for all the earth is Mine;</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Romans
10:17 New American Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">So faith <i>comes</i> from hearing, and hearing
by the word of Christ.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We tend to view obeying God’s commands in an abstract sense.
We think of it only in the realm of doing what the Bible says, some more leniently
than others. The idea that God would personally tell us something He wants us
to do is foreign. How can we know what God wants us to do if He doesn’t speak
to us out loud? While there are times when He does actually speak to us audibly
(I have experienced this,) more often it is through the nudging of the Spirit. It
is not so much a structured sentence, but more of an idea or a picture
accompanied by an urge to act. This could be as simple as taking someone a
meal, or offering an invitation. God’s call is often not grandiose, but common
and every day. The reason we don’t notice it every day is because we aren’t
listening. In 1 Kings, God has a message for the prophet Elijah, yet He does
not speak through the fire, storm or earthquake, but through the gentle whisper
of the wind. It is hard to hear if we are surrounded by noise, chaos and
busyness. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There are two ways to make ourselves better adapt at hearing
the voice of God. The first is to make being alone and quiet a regular
practice. The other is to consciously make oneself more aware of God’s voice
and presence. God is everywhere, but we are usually not aware of it. Part of
this is being in constant communion with God, keeping the door of communication
open by being mindful of Him. The other part is to be in God’s word. The more
we know Him the better we will recognize His will and voice. The primary
requisite to knowing God’s will and obeying His command is being open, a humble
willingness to submit to Him. It does not matter how much God talks to us if we
don’t listen, or how much we listen if we are not willing to obey.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This week as you pray, ask God to make you aware of Him. Invite
Him to speak to you. Be willing to obey. Tell Him (truthfully) that you are
willing to do whatever He commands. Express faith that you will know how and
what to do when the time comes. Be ready and attentive every moment of every
day. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p> Prayer points taken from <i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Praying Through Adversity</i><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none;"> by Jennifer Kennedy Dean.</span></p><div><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none;"><br /></span></div>Evelyn Brayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01717418297995190890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797699921068647384.post-55113261552903787412022-06-19T20:35:00.000-07:002022-06-19T20:35:36.697-07:00Prayer Week 24: Object of Delight<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiegx4-TawZuNZt8RMoYDDytFd6-qmYhBE_E_fhx8yvJyWNMRXp4a5mjvu40azsXOd2sfWiPg-1fE3_pbry-9mUTp1wQ9qYHqjgUCFDHG93OGOfthQcCtSOrn0ltbaT3a1un-G2uigHzgZBcG9C_ApovTl1gMAe1RIpObtPp8ryltX0CgWn1kDwkwr8/s900/bigstock-Woman-on-the-meadow-with-bloom-241157623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="818" data-original-width="900" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiegx4-TawZuNZt8RMoYDDytFd6-qmYhBE_E_fhx8yvJyWNMRXp4a5mjvu40azsXOd2sfWiPg-1fE3_pbry-9mUTp1wQ9qYHqjgUCFDHG93OGOfthQcCtSOrn0ltbaT3a1un-G2uigHzgZBcG9C_ApovTl1gMAe1RIpObtPp8ryltX0CgWn1kDwkwr8/s320/bigstock-Woman-on-the-meadow-with-bloom-241157623.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />How does God feel about you? Likely it’s a question you’ve
never asked yourself, or possibly never even thought about before. On the
surface, songs like “Jesus Loves Me” and “ He’s Got the Whole World” pop into
mind, and we might give them as a rote answer, but how deeply do we really
believe it? Do we live as if it were true?<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Isaiah
62:4-5 New American Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It will no longer be
said to you, “Forsaken,”<br />
Nor to your land will it any longer be said, “Desolate”;<br />
But you will be called, “My delight is in her,”<br />
And your land, “Married”;<br />
For the <span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> delights in
you,<br />
And <i>to Him</i> your land will be married.<br />
For <i>as</i> a young man marries a virgin,<br />
<i>So</i> your sons will marry you;<br />
And <i>as</i> the bridegroom rejoices over the bride,<br />
<i>So</i> your God will rejoice over you.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Isaiah 43:2, 4 New
American Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
<span class="text">And through the rivers, they will
not overflow you.</span><br />
<span class="text">When you walk through the fire,
you will not be scorched,</span><br />
<span class="text">Nor will the flame burn you…</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Since you are precious in My sight,</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
<span class="text"><i><span style="background: white;">Since</span></i><span style="background: white;"> you
are honored and I love you,</span></span></span><br />
<span class="text"><span style="background: white;">I will give <i>other</i> men in your place and <i>other</i> peoples
in exchange for your life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Psalm 37:23 New
American Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The steps of a man are established by the </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 115%;">Lord</span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">,</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
<span class="text">And He delights in his way.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Exodus 19:5 Amplified
Bible, Classic Edition<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Now therefore, if you will obey My voice in truth and keep My
covenant, then you shall be My own peculiar possession <i>and</i> treasure
from among <i>and</i> above all peoples; for all the earth is Mine.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God’s love for us is not for show, by compulsion or out of
duty. He doesn’t have to love us because He is God or even because He made us. In
fact, the opposite is true; He made us because He loves us, because He delights
in us. His delight is not earned by anything we do. It is not even earned by
how well we keep up our relationship with Him. He delights in us because we are
His, because He loves us.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This week as you come to prayer, dwell on the fact that God
delights in you, that He made you because of His delight in relationship with you.
He takes pleasure in your presence. He delights in being alone with you as a
beau delights in being alone with His sweetheart. Let His love for and joy in
you fill you with peace.<o:p></o:p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> Prayer points taken from <i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Praying Through Adversity</i><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none;"> by Jennifer Kennedy Dean.</span></p><div><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none;"><br /></span></div>Evelyn Brayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01717418297995190890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797699921068647384.post-8739433694849450002022-06-14T12:13:00.004-07:002022-06-18T10:11:12.417-07:00Prayer Week 23: An Open Invitation<p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCElzWANtsDzpmJkic95-9KhyA3WhTimSWaqmVj741-eBTr391OzQPFGZav3VKdPCCtAhC19cKWCyysc4GSenbs9JnilbexLrTVwX_gxjvBLwM3QpKaLhKf0P_-4OwGieXAB58MDH8kf8W-JxwG8L3dpPW_1nf-e4FRa8f9tkQ_VxekvDmf_UrgE5Z/s2389/20210430_203218.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1792" data-original-width="2389" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCElzWANtsDzpmJkic95-9KhyA3WhTimSWaqmVj741-eBTr391OzQPFGZav3VKdPCCtAhC19cKWCyysc4GSenbs9JnilbexLrTVwX_gxjvBLwM3QpKaLhKf0P_-4OwGieXAB58MDH8kf8W-JxwG8L3dpPW_1nf-e4FRa8f9tkQ_VxekvDmf_UrgE5Z/s320/20210430_203218.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />In our egocentric society we are inclined to
believe, or at least behave, as if everything revolves around us. As contrary
as this is to Christianity, many Christians live without even recognizing it,
as if God and our faith are here for our benefit. One need look no further than
the attitudes Christians have toward prayer and church attendance. We pray for
what <u style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">we</u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> want. We attend church to be filled and meet </span><u style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">our</u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> needs. We
even view salvation as something we chose, rather than something to which God
first called us. We often forget, or never even knew, that faith and its
practices are an invitation from God.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">Isaiah 50:4 New American
Standard Bible 1995</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
He awakens <i>Me</i> morning by morning,<br />
He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple.<span style="mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Isaiah 55:1 New
American Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters;</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
<span class="text"><span style="color: black;">And you who have no money
come, buy and eat.</span></span><br />
<span class="text"><span style="color: black;">Come, buy wine and milk</span></span><br />
<span class="text"><span style="color: black;">Without money and without cost.</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">1 Samuel 3:4 New
American Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">that the </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> called
Samuel; and he said, “Here I am.”</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Matthew 11:28-30
New American Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span class="woj"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Come
to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> <span class="woj"><span style="color: black;"><span id="en-NASB1995-23489">Take My yoke
upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="color: black; font-variant: small-caps;">you will
find rest for your souls</span></span><span class="woj"><span style="color: black;">.</span></span></span> <span class="woj"><span style="color: black;"><span id="en-NASB1995-23490">For My yoke
is easy and My burden is light.”</span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">John 6:44 NASB1995</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">God first called us. We would not have sought or
desired Him if He had not first called to us. Some would say that He only calls
the few who will be saved, others that He calls everyone and only a few answer.
I am not here to debate that. Regardless of the view point, the Bible is clear
that we do not first choose God and He accepts us, but that we are here eta His
invitation. If you are saved and have given your life to Christ it is because
He drew you to Himself. He wanted you with Him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This week in your prayer time, consider the fact
that you are here at His invitation, not just in faith but also in prayer. He
wants to meet with you. He longs for communion with you. As a good parent
nurtures their child, or better as a loving husband seeks His wife’s heart and
companionship, so God desires to have us draw near to Him and open our hearts
to Him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Above all, the purpose of prayer is communion with
God. He has invited you to spend time alone with Him, like a date. It is not
just so that you can do all the talking, but because He has something to teach
and say to you for your benefit. How does that change the mood and climate of
your prayer time? This week try to be conscious of God’s invitation to you and
record what you observe.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></p><p> Prayer points taken from <i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Praying Through Adversity</i><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none;"> by Jennifer Kennedy Dean.</span></p><div><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none;"><br /></span></div>Evelyn Brayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01717418297995190890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797699921068647384.post-69105116907949255942022-06-06T04:11:00.000-07:002022-06-06T04:11:39.813-07:00Prayer Week 22: The Temple of God<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgruJz6ng6llIG48zgtxnOIC6y-aV-F2v738FHbQC_ZmkqgGhbjA3W3edBchpYYrcYM8T8hs6pHgpg9rQOD8NLZ1TDu6_yEUxfo91-e_q8uAxeQMZUCrzQbWKZnbCRuIhz9LkDNJ2nX6kOYXzY7Bi6yC7p72mLEsl4h1R3AfUUl-EocrytVnhV2A4DZ/s900/bigstock--216411673.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgruJz6ng6llIG48zgtxnOIC6y-aV-F2v738FHbQC_ZmkqgGhbjA3W3edBchpYYrcYM8T8hs6pHgpg9rQOD8NLZ1TDu6_yEUxfo91-e_q8uAxeQMZUCrzQbWKZnbCRuIhz9LkDNJ2nX6kOYXzY7Bi6yC7p72mLEsl4h1R3AfUUl-EocrytVnhV2A4DZ/s320/bigstock--216411673.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />We tend to equate worshipping God with church, and church with
a specific building. In the Old Testament people had to go to a specific place
to worship God because that was where He dwelt, but now it is different. However,
we have trouble remembering that in the day to day. We tend to compartmentalize
and only think of God in the place where we expect to find Him.<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1 Corinthians 3:16 New American Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span class="text1cor-3-16"><span style="color: black;">Do you not know that you are a <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">temple</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">God</st1:placename></st1:place>
and <i>that</i> the Spirit of God dwells in you?</span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1 Corinthians 6:19 New American Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">Or do you not know that our body is
a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you
are not your own?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2 Corinthians 6:16 New American Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">Or what agreement has the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">temple</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">God</st1:placename></st1:place> with idols? For we are the temple of
the living God; just as God said, “I will dwell in them and walk among them;
and I will be their God and they shall be My people.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ephesians 2:20-22 New American Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">Christ Jesus Himself being the
corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing
into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into
a dwelling of God in the Spirit.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Jesus came to earth to save us from sin. When He left, He
sent His Holy Spirit to dwell in us in His place. Before the time of Christ, the
Spirit only came on certain people for a certain time. It was not a permanent
or common place occurrence. Now, however, the Spirit indwells all believers
from the time of salvation on. We no longer need to go to the temple to worship
God or be in His presence because we are His temple. We can worship Him anytime,
anywhere. Relationship with God is no longer compartmentalized. One of my
favorite books is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Practice of the
Presence of God</i> by Brother Lawrence and I would highly recommend it. He
talks about practical ways to be more aware of God’s presence every day,
something all believers desperately need.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This week, dwell on the fact that God dwells in you. He is
always at home in you. You do not have to seek Him out or get His attention,
you already have Him. Your body is His temple, His place of worship. Do you
live like it? </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the Old Testament, worship engaged all the senses. Set aside
some time this week when you pray to create that atmosphere. Go someplace quiet
and beautiful. Light a fragrant candle. Play some worship music. Pray and worship
God with every part of your being, let your whole self engage and be involved
in it. Practice the presence of God.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p> Prayer points taken from <i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Praying Through Adversity</i><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none;"> by Jennifer Kennedy Dean.</span></p><div><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none;"><br /></span></div>Evelyn Brayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01717418297995190890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797699921068647384.post-73665886728980816872022-05-31T03:25:00.000-07:002022-05-31T03:25:05.259-07:00Prayer Week 21: Anxiety, Control and Thanksgiving<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXpgakyZC28G-Rt0RNwrXQ6F5tPnKhGvf9IuGrflpXJ685QM5QFBLONwQa3zMt00pRHorTlMbQozutrJFeB3VSVsq-8PcnJ-_QtmUzWOpaeYiUweopPim5mjlSPIAuhVoz5AKyBpYovG9cNXWwv4UTcLstAKOY9VwOxGxUk9tVtYGldfi0lJIUEw8/s900/bigstock-Silhouette-Of-Christian-Man-Ha-411505957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpXpgakyZC28G-Rt0RNwrXQ6F5tPnKhGvf9IuGrflpXJ685QM5QFBLONwQa3zMt00pRHorTlMbQozutrJFeB3VSVsq-8PcnJ-_QtmUzWOpaeYiUweopPim5mjlSPIAuhVoz5AKyBpYovG9cNXWwv4UTcLstAKOY9VwOxGxUk9tVtYGldfi0lJIUEw8/s320/bigstock-Silhouette-Of-Christian-Man-Ha-411505957.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Anxiety plagues many of us, some without even realizing it.
I don’t sit around biting my nails over anything, but if I think about it there
are a few things stewing on the back burner that I try not to think about.
However, stuffing or ignoring them is no more successful than endlessly
worrying about them. It doesn’t make us less anxious about them, nor does it
solve the problem in any way. It just makes us less aware of them. What do we
do with the things that cause concern?<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Philippians 4:6-7 New American Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">Be anxious for nothing, but in
everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be
made known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension will
guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matthew 6:31-33 New American Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">Do not worry then, saying, ‘What
will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For
the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that
you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness,
and all these things will be added to you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1 Peter 5:6-7 New American Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">Therefore humble yourselves under
the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all
your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Thessalonians%205%3A18&version=NASB1995"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">1
Thessalonians 5:18</span></a> New American Standard Bible 1995</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">in everything give thanks;
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Worry is a destructive thing. It steals our joy and peace
without accomplishing anything good. It may make us feel like we are very
caring about whatever it is that concerns us, but in truth it means that we are
trying to be in control, rather than trusting the One who truly is in control.
We worry because there is a problem that we can’t fix, but we aren’t willing to
take it to the One who can. Ultimately it is selfish and fearful, but God has
not given us a spirit of fear. That means that anxiety is not of God but of the
enemy, so it is something we should fight just like we do every other
temptation.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The question then is how do we fight it. Prayer is the first
step. We need to take what is bothering us to God. We need to talk to Him about
the problem and then trust Him to take care of it. We need to put it in His
hands and then leave it there without trying to take it back from Him. Practically
speaking, that means that every time we are tempted to worry about it, we make
ourselves give it back to God or remind ourselves that He has it and it is not
our problem any more. He is far better at dealing with it than we are anyway.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The next step is just as vital, but often overlooked:
thanksgiving. This part seems counterintuitive. If something is bothering us,
causing us to worry, there probably isn’t much to be thankful for, yet we are
commanded to give thanks in it. However, the very fact that it is contrary
means that is the very thing we need to make us not worry. We need the opposite
of worry and that is thanksgiving. We need to thank God for that issue because
that is where God has us and if we trust Him He will make good come from it. We
can also be thankful for what God will do through it, ways that we can already
see His hand working.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In your prayer time this week, write down everything that is
making you anxious, big and small. Thank God for these things because He has a
plan and will bring about good from them. Then ask Him to help you see what He
is doing in them already and to be aware of His hand throughout the situation.
Give the situation to God and leave it in His hands, resting in the knowledge
that He is sovereign, all knowing and completely good. If this is hard for you,
ask God to help you trust Him, to give you a peaceful, grateful heart. Going
through this process will build your faith and trust in God, as well as
building a spirit of peace and joy within you.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p> Prayer points taken from <i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Praying Through Adversity</i><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none;"> by Jennifer Kennedy Dean.</span></p><div><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none;"><br /></span></div>Evelyn Brayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01717418297995190890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797699921068647384.post-63646370185940163492022-05-23T10:38:00.001-07:002022-05-23T10:38:33.420-07:00Prayer Week 20: The Art of Listening<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivZBhY8rrFVe9II1JIb-2HTRwA8LoqmVQJ30F3KpBUsFyXMrwhftzCN9JCA7tlllq9h2LMXYreOexzmzb1yWRTOjAVMwsfatsyqvu0peNdZgAjE26jnA6G4zqR-beCMpknZZwtZdZhc7NS-rTdQomcnww5aXwtjy7XNBGhkYSJPFDuC3lAskmmyWVb/s900/bigstock-The-Girl-Listens-Attentively-W-445462643.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="663" data-original-width="900" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivZBhY8rrFVe9II1JIb-2HTRwA8LoqmVQJ30F3KpBUsFyXMrwhftzCN9JCA7tlllq9h2LMXYreOexzmzb1yWRTOjAVMwsfatsyqvu0peNdZgAjE26jnA6G4zqR-beCMpknZZwtZdZhc7NS-rTdQomcnww5aXwtjy7XNBGhkYSJPFDuC3lAskmmyWVb/s320/bigstock-The-Girl-Listens-Attentively-W-445462643.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />In our culture, we talk a lot. There is so much information
coming at us, and we are so adept at expressing our opinions, we often forget
that there is more than that. Prayer often becomes a one way telecom where we
speak freely to God and then hang up the phone. We don’t usually give Him a
chance to get a word in edge wise. Even when we study the Bible, it becomes
information only and we don’t allow the time and peace to really let it speak
to us and soak into our hearts.<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black;">1 Samuel 3:10 </span>New American Standard
Bible 1995<span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span class="text1sam-3-10"><span style="color: black;">Then the </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="color: black; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="text1sam-3-10"><span style="color: black;"> came and stood and called
as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for Your servant
is listening.”</span></span><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black;">Proverbs 13:1 New American Standard Bible
1995<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span class="textprov-13-1"><span style="color: black;">A wise son <i>accepts his</i> father’s
discipline,</span></span><br />
<span class="textprov-13-1"><span style="color: black;">But a scoffer does not
listen to rebuke.</span></span><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Matthew 7:24-27 New American Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">Therefore everyone who hears these
words of Mine and acts on them may be compared to a wise man who built his
house on the rock. And the rain fell and the floods came, and the winds blew
and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been
founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on
them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain
fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house;
and it fell—and great was its fall.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">To listen means more than just to hear with our ears. It
means to give heed to, pay attention to, to listen so as to obey. It is an act
of submission and respect, and comes from a teachable spirit. We only “give
ear” to those whom we already respect and deem as wise and worth following. God
needs to have that topmost rank in our hearts. His Word should have the highest
authority in our hearts and lives.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">However, in order for God’s word to reach us we have to
listen. We have to be still and quiet enough to hear His voice. He is not in
the thunder or the great wind, but in the gentle whisper. Only those who really
want to hear, and focus intently on listening, will catch what He says. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Listening to God’s voice is the most important skill in
prayer. What we say is not nearly as important as what God says to us, so when
we pray, while it is good to talk to God, it is more important that we listen.
This week during your prayer time, cultivate a heart that listens. Listen for
Him in His Word, in your quiet time, in life’s circumstances, and what others
say. Write down what you believe He is saying to you. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I apologize for this coming out late, I am having computer
problems. I will be fairly quiet on here until I get them worked out. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p> Prayer points taken from <i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Praying Through Adversity</i><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none;"> by Jennifer Kennedy Dean.</span></p><div><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none;"><br /></span></div>Evelyn Brayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01717418297995190890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797699921068647384.post-13831061059345175462022-05-18T03:17:00.003-07:002022-05-18T03:17:34.013-07:00Devotions: Depth of Knowledge<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="textrom-11-33"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">Oh, the depth of the riches both of
the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments
and unfathomable His ways!</span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy";">Romans 11:33 New American Standard
Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="textisa-54-8"><span style="background: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="textisa-54-8"><span style="background: white;">Can anyone know God’s mind? Can
we understand all that He does or plans? Job and Paul both pondered these
questions and came up empty. If God could be fully known and understood then He
would not be greater than man. God knows everything that is, ever has and ever
will happen, and He can use that knowledge to plan and orchestrate the future
of every living being for all of eternity for our good and His glory. His
knowledge and wisdom are unfathomable. We can but sit at the brink and ponder
the depths, but we would be lost to transverse them. The Gospel itself, the
great plan of salvation for mankind, is laden with mystery. How and why the God
of the universe would save His enemies, would create beings that He knew would
betray Him and inevitably fail, who can say? We can begin to know and
understand in part the how and why of God’s ways, but we are arrogant and
foolish to think that we can do so fully. It is not simply a ploy to pass off
anything of faith we do not understand as “too far above man’s knowledge.” Of
course we should strive to know and understand as much as we can, and that will
be different for all according our own abilities and God’s allowance, but there
will come a time for all of us when we reach the end of the realm of our finite
minds. Contrary to the Age of Enlightenment, we cannot know or understand
everything. It is just not humanly possible. That is what separates us from
God, and I believe that is why they came up with that idea in the first place.
The “Enlightened” wanted to remove God and claim that man could reach
perfection on his own. They did not want to humble themselves before a mightier
being. However, that is the only viable response to God’s true nature: humble
awe and worship. We can only trust His infinite wisdom relying on His perfect
love and goodness. We know that He is both good and just, loving and merciful.
He will do what is best, and we need to trust Him with what we cannot
understand.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="textisa-54-8"><span style="background: white;">How do you respond to God’s
wisdom? How do His unsearchable ways inspire you? Do they draw you to your
knees in worship, or make you rebel in prideful resistance? Ask God to help you
trust the fullness of His wisdom. Ask Him to help you see His goodness paired
with justice so that you can trust His judgment. Ask Him to help you entrust Him
with what you do not understand.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="textisa-54-8"><span style="background: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span class="textisa-54-8"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="textisa-54-8"><span style="background: white;">To view a video of this devo, visit my facebook page
at </span></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/evelynbray.author">https://www.facebook.com/evelynbray.author</a><span class="textisa-54-8"><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="textisa-54-8"><span style="background: white;">To receive these devotions daily, like my page or
subscribe to my blog by entering your email in the subscription box to the
right!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>Evelyn Brayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01717418297995190890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797699921068647384.post-32608145473810810132022-05-17T01:24:00.000-07:002022-05-17T01:24:45.448-07:00Devotions: Invisible Work<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="texteccl-11-5"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">Just as you do not know the path of the wind
and how bones <i>are formed</i> in the womb of the pregnant
woman, so you do not know the activity of God who makes all things.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy";">Ecclesiastes 11:5 New American
Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="textisa-54-8"><span style="background: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="textisa-54-8"><span style="background: white;">The creation and formation of
life is a great wonder, and still a mystery even in this modern age of science
and technology. We may know <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">what</i>
happens when a baby is formed in a mother’s womb, but we still don’t really
know <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">how</i>. It is a great miracle, how
life comes from something inanimate, how a group of cells multiplies and turns
into a living being. The wind also is a great mystery. We know now that it is
moving air particles which are too small to see with the naked eye. We also
know relatively what causes those air particles to move, but how those
invisible, miniscule particles can have such power and force is a marvel. We
had two small tornadoes a couple weeks ago. Living west of the <st1:place w:st="on">Rockies</st1:place>, this is very uncommon for us. Watching the
videos, they really didn’t seem to amount to much, but the damage they caused
was still quite amazing. In the same way that these things are marvelous and
mysterious, so is the work of God. He does so much that we cannot see, or that
we see but cannot understand, or that we understand but is still miraculous. In
the same way that plants start from a dead seed, and slowly in the depths of
the earth come to life and grow where we cannot see them so that they
eventually produce fruit, so God works in the human heart, one that seems dead
and beyond hope, to bring a person to life. We cannot see the work God is
doing, especially in another person. Like the wind, we can only see the affects
of it, but not the wind/change itself. And often, like a baby growing in the
womb or seeds germinating, it takes a long time before we realize anything is happening.
Often we give up hope before God is finished. It can seem so pointless, useless
to wait when it seems impossible, but God is the king of the impossible. He
thrives in doing what we think is beyond hope. That is why we should never give
up on God. We don’t realize that is what we are doing, but when we give up on a
relationship, on waiting for a person to change, we are ultimately giving up on
God. I’ve seen so many marriages fail because one person gave up, not only on
their spouse, but on God’s ability and willingness to work in them. I’ve
learned that it is never foolish to wait on God, especially if we know we are
where God wants us. We are there for a reason, and He is always working. He
will not abandon His plan or leave something undone. He is faithful to do what
He has said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="textisa-54-8"><span style="background: white;">Do you trust God? Do you
believe that He is working even when you can’t see it? Are you willing to wait
for God to work? Ask God to help you trust Him, to believe that He can and will
do the impossible. Ask Him to help you see His hand and give you the patience
and perseverance to wait. Waiting on God is not fruitless; it grows in us
qualities that can be gained in no other way. Submit to His work in you, while
you wait for Him to work in others. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="textisa-54-8"><span style="background: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span class="textisa-54-8"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="textisa-54-8"><span style="background: white;">To view a video of this devo, visit my facebook page
at </span></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/evelynbray.author">https://www.facebook.com/evelynbray.author</a><span class="textisa-54-8"><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="textisa-54-8"><span style="background: white;">To receive these devotions daily, like my page or
subscribe to my blog by entering your email in the subscription box to the
right!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>Evelyn Brayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01717418297995190890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797699921068647384.post-23034443255042579472022-05-16T03:41:00.000-07:002022-05-16T03:41:53.843-07:00Prayer Week 19: Practice of the Presence<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq9m2hA5873kFnGsDTU_zMYTOZdwPVi06xm5Dl_pV27fiuVehaPOZWrPjvQcKHPPAjt4RFG6Kqe-RXsSs3KT9iOw0D9M2AOnywGase5LtlRXZqzdvx1lbzRtLJ_UgoQw53aOFnFIcZaYPqfaBl9aRSWGqaPmJlDv8xhsQSniVDpbCFI21RCSIVkbXz/s900/bigstock-Human-Hands-Open-Palm-Up-Worsh-450160177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq9m2hA5873kFnGsDTU_zMYTOZdwPVi06xm5Dl_pV27fiuVehaPOZWrPjvQcKHPPAjt4RFG6Kqe-RXsSs3KT9iOw0D9M2AOnywGase5LtlRXZqzdvx1lbzRtLJ_UgoQw53aOFnFIcZaYPqfaBl9aRSWGqaPmJlDv8xhsQSniVDpbCFI21RCSIVkbXz/s320/bigstock-Human-Hands-Open-Palm-Up-Worsh-450160177.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Life is busy. There is so much in the physical world to
distract us, vying for our attention. It is so easy to live as if that is all
there is, to only focus on and heed the physical world, forgetting the
spiritual. I mean really, how can we <i>know</i>
God is here when we can’t see or feel Him?<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Luke 12:31 New American Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span class="woj"><span style="color: black;">But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added
to you.</span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://evelynbray-lighthill.blogspot.com/2020/06/devotions-gods-delight.html">Zephaniah 3:17 New American Standard Bible 1995</a><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span class="textzeph-3-17"><span style="color: black;">The </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="color: black; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="textzeph-3-17"><span style="color: black;"> your God is in your
midst,</span></span><br />
<span class="textzeph-3-17"><span style="color: black;">A victorious warrior.</span></span><br />
<span class="textzeph-3-17"><span style="color: black;">He will exult over you
with joy,</span></span><br />
<span class="textzeph-3-17"><span style="color: black;">He will be quiet in
His love,</span></span><br />
<span class="textzeph-3-17"><span style="color: black;">He will rejoice over you
with shouts of joy.</span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Haggai 2:5 New American Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span class="texthag-2-5"><span style="color: black;">‘As for the promise which I made you when you
came out of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Egypt</st1:country-region></st1:place>, My Spirit
is abiding in your midst; do not fear!’</span></span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Haggai+2&version=NASB1995" title="View Full Chapter"><span style="background: white; color: #b12102;"><br />
</span></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Zechariah 2:10-11 New
American Standard Bible 1995</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span class="textzech-2-10"><span style="color: black;">"Sing for joy and be glad, O daughter of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Zion</st1:place></st1:city>; for behold I am coming and I
will dwell in your midst,” declares the </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="color: black; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="textzech-2-10"><span style="color: black;">.</span></span><span class="textzech-2-11"><b><sup><span style="color: black;"> </span></sup></b><span style="color: black;">“Many nations will join themselves to the </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="color: black; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="textzech-2-11"><span style="color: black;"> in that day and will become
My people. Then I will dwell in your midst, and you will know that
the </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="color: black; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="textzech-2-11"><span style="color: black;"> of hosts has sent Me to you."</span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Luke 17:20-21 New American Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span class="textluke-17-20"><span style="color: black;">Now having been questioned by the Pharisees as to when
the <st1:placetype w:st="on">kingdom</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">God</st1:placename>
was coming, He answered them and said, </span></span><span class="woj"><span style="color: black;">“The <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">kingdom</st1:placetype>
of <st1:placename w:st="on">God</st1:placename></st1:place> is not coming
with signs to be observed;</span></span> <span id="en-NASB1995-25673"><span class="woj"><span style="color: black;">nor
will they say, ‘Look, here <i>it is</i>!’ or, ‘There <i>it is</i>!’
For behold, the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">kingdom</st1:placetype>
of <st1:placename w:st="on">God</st1:placename></st1:place> is in your
midst.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span class="woj"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Whether we are aware of it or not, God is in our midst. He
is in our hearts and all around us. He is omnipresent, everywhere always at
once. In a sense, He is like the air; filling up every empty space on earth. Yet
He is even more places than that. He not only knows everything but He sees
everything. He is always with us. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I remember my bible study leader in high school telling me a
story about a couple who used to sit as close together as possible when they drove
somewhere, but gradually they grew apart. Eventually, she was sitting on one
end of the bench seat, and he at the other with his arm on the door. She lamented
the time when they used to sit close with his arm around her. He responded, “I
never moved.” It is the same with God. If He feels distant it is because we
have ceased to become aware of Him. He is always as close as ever, but we often
forget that. We let the world distract us and we lose awareness of His
presence. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We need to cultivate an awareness of His presence. We need
to remind ourselves that He is always there, and look for it always. When we
are in a check out line, driving in the car, sweeping, mopping, etc., those are
all times when we can seek His kingdom and presence. We can and should always
talk to God, as if He were right there, because He is. Prayer is the ground
work for this awareness. This week, ask God to make you more aware of Him and
call attention to kingdom moments. This will not only brighten your day, chase
away loneliness and give purpose and meaning to menial chores, but it will also
change those irritating moments in life into opportunities to fellowship with
God. It will also help transform your heart, your attitude and the way you
react in those situations. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p> Prayer points taken from <i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Praying Through Adversity</i><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none;"> by Jennifer Kennedy Dean.</span></p><div><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none;"><br /></span></div>Evelyn Brayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01717418297995190890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797699921068647384.post-47563004334434222102022-05-11T03:31:00.004-07:002022-05-11T03:31:45.481-07:00Devotions: Christ-like Conduct<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="texteph-4-32"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each
other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy";">Ephesians 4:32 New American Standard
Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">This should seem like
a given as far as conduct toward believers, but unfortunately it is a message
as needed now as it was then. Even among those who share the faith, sin gets in
the way. We choose self over others and let our old nature rule our actions. We
forget what a privilege it is to be part of this family of believers and view
ourselves above others. We forget what we would be without the love of Christ
and what we have been forgiven. It is important to always remember what Christ
has done for us, what He has forgiven, how He loves us, and how He treats us.
That will help give us perspective in how we treat others. We need to be kind
because that is love. It doesn’t matter how we are treated, we are always to
respond in kindness. We need to be tender-hearted. Hard-heartedness is a sign
of the old self before salvation. God said He would remove our hearts of stone
and give us hearts of flesh when we believe in Him. If we are hard-hearted
toward others it shows that we are not acting in the newness of the Spirit. We
are commanded to have a heart of compassion for others, this phrase referred to
the seat of emotions in Hebrew culture. Being cold, unsympathetic and
unemotional is not godly, nor is it kind. We also need to forgive. We have been
forgiven so much, more than I believe we will ever know on this earth at least.
How could we demand that others repay us when we have been forgiven so much? Are
we better than God? It is so easy to justify our unforgiveness, “you don’t know
what they did,” “they’re not even sorry.” Yet Jesus forgave us before we wanted
forgiveness. He died before we were born so that He could forgive us. The Bible
says if we don’t forgive we won’t be forgiven. Unforgiveness is one of the
greatest forms of pride and injustice, for we won’t do what the God of the universe
did for us and commanded that we do. I know it can be hard, especially when the
pain goes deep, but it is necessary, not for them but for us. The whole purpose
of forgiveness is not to free them from responsibility, but to free us from
bondage to what they did to us. God is judge and He will deal with what
happened. It is not our place to do that for Him. Holding onto what happened
will only destroy us. The enemy uses it to destroy so many Christians and
families by making us think we should withhold it, when he knows that is all he
needs to keep us bound. Christ forgave those who crucified Him, how can we do
any less?</p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">How do you treat
others, especially believers? What are you holding onto? What is the status of
your heart toward certain people? Is it Christ-like? Ask God to help heal the
wounds. Ask Him to give you a love for others like He has, to see them as He
does. Ask Him to help you let go of the past and be delivered from the pain and
bondage. </p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="textisa-54-8"><span style="background: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span class="textisa-54-8"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="textisa-54-8"><span style="background: white;">To view a video of this devo, visit my facebook page
at </span></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/evelynbray.author">https://www.facebook.com/evelynbray.author</a><span class="textisa-54-8"><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="textisa-54-8"><span style="background: white;">To receive these devotions daily, like my page or
subscribe to my blog by entering your email in the subscription box to the
right!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>Evelyn Brayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01717418297995190890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797699921068647384.post-5075819571478372452022-05-09T20:15:00.000-07:002022-05-09T20:15:14.574-07:00Prayer Week 18: Opening the Door<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqa6w4gfOSwjsfdnA9P7KhFt6sl9a4NQz6U4GLixEGL4cQoadkrdU08iAYIscNrJku6IaaT-QElytxby9b-aGhh9ZfYXD4RK0p5BIKWtVg-rBBhYrcUDmEjv7AeqDLPAtLkYwm1OKyvB1F25fze6fJ16MYs8_Xfnz6EEXeUzd8a4_zBpRNOD3IS5-x/s900/bigstock-Asian-Senior-Couple-Or-Elderly-325435756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="610" data-original-width="900" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqa6w4gfOSwjsfdnA9P7KhFt6sl9a4NQz6U4GLixEGL4cQoadkrdU08iAYIscNrJku6IaaT-QElytxby9b-aGhh9ZfYXD4RK0p5BIKWtVg-rBBhYrcUDmEjv7AeqDLPAtLkYwm1OKyvB1F25fze6fJ16MYs8_Xfnz6EEXeUzd8a4_zBpRNOD3IS5-x/s320/bigstock-Asian-Senior-Couple-Or-Elderly-325435756.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />It can be hard to open up. Especially in our society, while
we want to be known, letting someone get to know us can be difficult, even
terrifying. We are often reluctant to let people in because we are afraid;
afraid we’ll get hurt, afraid of being mocked or misunderstood, afraid they’ll
reject us if they find out what we’re really like. Even in a group of close
friends or with our spouse, we will only open the door so far. We won’t let
anyone in all the way. As unfortunate and harmful as this is with fellow
believers, it is even more so with God.<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Revelation 3:20 New American Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span class="woj"><span style="color: black;">Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone
hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine
with him, and he with Me.</span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">John 10:14-15, 27-28 New American Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span class="woj"><span style="color: black;">I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own
know Me,</span></span> <span id="en-NASB1995-26497"><span class="woj"><span style="color: black;">even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father;
and I lay down My life for the sheep…My sheep hear My voice,
and I know them, and they follow Me;</span></span></span> <span id="en-NASB1995-26510"><span class="woj"><span style="color: black;">and I give eternal
life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out
of My hand.</span></span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Psalm 139:1-4 New American Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span class="textps-139-1"><span style="color: black;">O </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="color: black; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="textps-139-1"><span style="color: black;">, You have searched me and
known <i>me</i>.</span></span><br />
<span class="textps-139-2"><span style="color: black;"><span id="en-NASB1995-16242">You know when
I sit down and when I rise up;</span></span></span><br />
<span class="textps-139-2"><span style="color: black;">You understand my
thought from afar.</span></span><br />
<span class="textps-139-3"><span style="color: black;"><span id="en-NASB1995-16243">You scrutinize
my path and my lying down,</span></span></span><br />
<span class="textps-139-3"><span style="color: black;">And are intimately
acquainted with all my ways.</span></span><br />
<span class="textps-139-4"><span style="color: black;"><span id="en-NASB1995-16244">Even
before there is a word on my tongue,</span></span></span><br />
<span class="textps-139-4"><span style="color: black;">Behold, O </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="color: black; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="textps-139-4"><span style="color: black;">, You know it all.</span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">To be fully known can be frightening, but it can also be
freeing. The trick here is that God already fully knows us, whether we open up
to Him or not. He knows us even better than we know ourselves, and yet still He
loves us and accepts us. He loved and accepted us while we were still His
enemies, before we wanted anything to do with Him. We don’t need to convince Him
to want or love us. We can’t earn His acceptance. He already does. We need only
to accept Him and His love. He stands at the door and knocks.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Romans 5:6-8 New American Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span class="textrom-5-6"><span style="color: black;">For while we were still helpless, at the right
time Christ died for the ungodly.</span></span> <span id="en-NASB1995-28055"><span class="textrom-5-7"><span style="color: black;">For one
will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man
someone would dare even to die.</span></span></span> <span id="en-NASB1995-28056"><span class="textrom-5-8"><span style="color: black;">But
God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet
sinners, Christ died for us.</span></span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Romans 8:37-39 New American Standard Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;"><span class="textrom-8-37"><span style="color: black;">But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer
through Him who loved us.</span></span> <span id="en-NASB1995-28155"><span class="textrom-8-38"><span style="color: black;">For I
am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor
principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,</span></span></span> <span id="en-NASB1995-28156"><span class="textrom-8-39"><span style="color: black;">nor
height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us
from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.</span></span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">God wants a relationship with us. That is why He created us,
and why He died on the cross for our sins; so that we could have a relationship
with Him. He will always pursue us but we need to stop running and accept Him. We
need to open the door and let Him in. He already knows everything there is to
know about us; we need only choose to open our hearts to Him.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That is where prayer comes in; prayer is a conversation with
God, inviting Him into our daily lives. It is opening up to Him, seeking
fellowship with Him. It’s like inviting a friend over for a meal, or a cup of
tea. This week during your prayer time, visualize Him being with you, sitting
on the couch or across the table from you. Pray as if you were talking directly
to Him, because you are. Talk right to Him and listen to Him talk to you.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p> Prayer points taken from <i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Praying Through Adversity</i><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none;"> by Jennifer Kennedy Dean.</span></p><div><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none;"><br /></span></div>Evelyn Brayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01717418297995190890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797699921068647384.post-33381126279339071182022-05-09T03:37:00.001-07:002022-05-09T03:37:53.742-07:00Devotions: Salty Conduct<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="textcol-4-5"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">Conduct yourselves with wisdom
toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy";"> </span><span id="en-NASB1995-29549"><span class="textcol-4-6"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">Let your speech always
be with grace, <i>as though</i> seasoned with salt, so that
you will know how you should respond to each person.</span></span></span><b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy";"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy";">Colossians 4:5-6 New American Standard
Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">It is so easy to
become complacent and slack. Every day life just doesn’t seem like that big of
a deal in the grand scheme so we let down our guard and stop being so
intentional. However, this is a very dangerous attitude to adopt. Conducting ourselves
with wisdom to outsiders does not in any way mean that we should treat them as
if they are outsiders. As believers, we have been given access to the wisdom
and mysteries of God, knowledge that was kept secret (by God) until after Christ’s
resurrection. This mystery was that salvation would be available to non Jews. We
are bearers of this greatness and commissioned to share it, not hoard it. When we
first give our lives to Christ, we are burdened with the great necessity of
sharing this hope with everyone. We see every moment an opportunity to make a
difference for eternity, but then life goes on. We get busy and that burden
seems less and less important. We lose sight of eternity. This should not be. It
can be exhausting, but we need to keep that urgency alive within us. We need to
be intentional in everything we do, whether anyone is watching us or not. The
habits we make in secret will be made obvious in public. We need to make sure
that we live in a way that accurately represents God so that those who do not
believe are not pushed away from Him by us. We may be the only glimpse of God
they get. Every moment is practice for a more important opportunity. We need to
be gracious, for this trait is specific to Christianity. It is a concept
foreign to other religions. It is important that those around us experience
grace so that they see how different our God is and want to follow Him. We are
to be like salt to the world. Salt is used to bring out the flavor in food,
though it has no real flavor in itself. Christianity is not meant to make life duller,
but to give flavor to life, to add vibrancy. If we make life seem dull as a
believer, then we are doing something wrong. Sin should not be the only option
for a full life. In fact, life as a believer should be viewed as the best, most
fulfilling way to live, but we can’t live that way if we are complacent and
unintentional. Part of this “salty conduct” is preparation for witnessing and
defense of the Gospel. Those are not only reserved for great men like Paul and
Billy Graham. It is for all of us. Unfortunately, most of us are not ready
because we do not live wisely, making the most of our time. We have lost our
saltiness. </p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">How do you conduct
yourself? Have you become complacent and slack? Have you lost your saltiness? Do
you have eternity in view in every day life? Ask God to bring to life that
flame that once burned bright. See every moment as an opportunity to train for the
moments that matter most. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="textisa-54-8"><span style="background: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="textisa-54-8"><span style="background: white;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="textisa-54-8"><span style="background: white;"><o:p><span style="color: #1c2b33; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">I apologize, today should have been another prayer point, but at 3am I forgot what day it was...I will do the prayer point tomorrow.</span></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span class="textisa-54-8"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="textisa-54-8"><span style="background: white;">To view a video of this devo, visit my facebook page
at </span></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/evelynbray.author">https://www.facebook.com/evelynbray.author</a><span class="textisa-54-8"><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="textisa-54-8"><span style="background: white;">To receive these devotions daily, like my page or
subscribe to my blog by entering your email in the subscription box to the
right!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>Evelyn Brayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01717418297995190890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797699921068647384.post-68901547982804480662022-05-04T03:20:00.000-07:002022-05-04T03:20:52.350-07:00Devotions: Are You Like Zaccheus?<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="woj"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which
was lost.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy";">Luke 19:10 New American Standard Bible
1995<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="textisa-54-8"><span style="background: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="textisa-54-8"><span style="background: white;">This verse comes at the
account of Zaccheus, a small man who had to climb a tree so he could see Jesus
passing by, but as Jesus passed He called to Zaccheus and had lunch with him. In
response Zaccheus, who was a corrupt tax collector, vowed to repay everyone what
they were owed with interest. Jesus received a lot of condemnation for entering
his house and this was His response. He also pointed out the fact that Zaccheus
was also a Jew, just like the men who condemned him, but he received salvation
because he changed and they didn’t. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="textisa-54-8"><span style="background: white;">God does not have favorites.
He shows no partiality. Salvation may have started with <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Israel</st1:place></st1:country-region>, but it
is available to everyone. That is why Jesus came; to save everyone. He loves
all equally and does not desire for any to be lost. He wants everyone to have a
chance, that is why He is still waiting to come back.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="textisa-54-8"><span style="background: white;">There was another point with
this statement however. He came for the lost. The religious leaders of His time
did not believe they were lost, so they could not be saved. It is not until we
see our need for Jesus that we can and will surrender our lives to Him. If we
don’t think we need to be saved, why would we need a Savior? There are many who
claim faith in Jesus just because they don’t want to go to hell, but they don’t
truly understand what that means. For them it is just fire insurance, a bus
ticket to their final destination. However, salvation doesn’t work that way. Jesus
did not come to give us an easy life and a ticket out of hell. He came to save
us from sin, to pay the penalty for our actions so that we could live in
obedience to Him. He didn’t give us freedom to do what we want, but freedom
from slavery to sin. We all start out as slaves to sin. We really don’t have
the ability to choose whether to obey God or satan initially. It is only Jesus’
power in us after salvation that gives us that capacity. Sure we can be “good”
prior to salvation. That merely shows that we are made in God’s image, but we
cannot be godly without God’s help, especially if we are still owned by and
following sin. Salvation is more than just saying “I believe.” It is saying, “I
have done wrong, I need a Savior,” and then committing to live for Him, the way
that He says. We won’t do this perfectly, but we need to try, not out of duty
or to earn anything, but out of love for the one who saved us. Salvation is an
exchange, our broken sinful heart for the tender heart of God, His life for
mine. Anyone who thinks that because we can’t be perfect that we are free to
live as we please has sadly missed the point, and will likely miss the bus in
the end. Saving the lost means taking us from our lost place and putting us
where we are supposed to be, returning the runaway to family, releasing the
prisoner from death row and taking them home. We have to leave our place of sin
and live where God intended from the beginning, His way.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="textisa-54-8"><span style="background: white;">Are you lost? Do you need to
be saved? If not, are you living where and how God wants or according to your
own terms? Does your faith impact your daily life? Ask God to show you where
you are and where you need to be. Ask Him to soften your heart to Him and His word.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="textisa-54-8"><span style="background: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span class="textisa-54-8"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="textisa-54-8"><span style="background: white;">To view a video of this devo, visit my facebook page
at </span></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/evelynbray.author">https://www.facebook.com/evelynbray.author</a><span class="textisa-54-8"><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="textisa-54-8"><span style="background: white;">To receive these devotions daily, like my page or
subscribe to my blog by entering your email in the subscription box to the
right!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>Evelyn Brayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01717418297995190890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7797699921068647384.post-88301147340326187582022-05-03T03:57:00.000-07:002022-05-03T03:57:03.243-07:00Devotions: Fearless Confidence<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="text1john-5-14"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">This is the confidence which we have before
Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy";"> </span><span id="en-NASB1995-30640"><span class="text1john-5-15"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI";">And if we know that He hears
us <i>in</i> whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests
which we have asked from Him.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Calligraphy";">1 John 5:14-15 New American Standard
Bible 1995<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="textisa-54-8"><span style="background: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="textisa-54-8"><span style="background: white;">If we ask anything, God hears
us. This is a great promise to hold on to, but there is a bit of a condition to
it. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">If</i> we ask according to His will…I
don’t think that He won’t actually <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hear </i>us
if we don’t, but He won’t answer it. God wants us to talk to Him and tell Him everything,
but like a good parent He doesn’t just give us whatever we want. He gives us
what is best for us. Sometimes that means saying no. The Greek word for “hear”
doesn’t just mean the physical act of hearing, but can also mean to understand,
give consideration or to yield. God does “hear” what we say, always. He sees
and knows everything, so of course He also hears everything, but He doesn’t
yield to everything. He only yields to what is according to His will and plan.
It can be hard to know what is God’s will, so how can we have confidence that
God hears us? The word confidence can be translated “freedom in speaking” as
well as “free and fearless confidence.” I believe that we can come to God with
confidence regardless of what we say because we can have confidence in God’s
wisdom. We can be confident that whatever we ask, God will do what is best. We
can be confident that He does hear us, and He will act according to His wisdom
and will. This is actually a greater confidence than believing that He will
give us whatever we ask because we know that He will only give us what is best
for us. This condition was not whether He can hear what we say, but what He
will yield to, and we can be confident that He will yield to what we ask that
is best for us. Because of this, we can freely ask Him for anything knowing
that He will do what is best for us, and not just give us whatever we want. This
gives me a greater confidence because I don’t always know what is best, even
when I think I do, but knowing that 1) I can come to God with anything and
everything and 2) that He will only do what is right and good with what I ask,
I don’t have to worry that I will ask for the wrong thing. I can confidently
trust God with my hopes, dreams and wishes. He is the best Father we could
imagine. He is our loyal confidant and provider. We can speak freely and
fearlessly before Him and trust that He will do what is best.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="textisa-54-8"><span style="background: white;">Do you feel confident before
God? Do you worry to know what is God’s will? Do you trust that He will only do
what is best? Ask God to help you trust Him, to help you be confident in His
love and wisdom. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="textisa-54-8"><span style="background: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><span class="textisa-54-8"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="textisa-54-8"><span style="background: white;">To view a video of this devo, visit my facebook page
at </span></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/evelynbray.author">https://www.facebook.com/evelynbray.author</a><span class="textisa-54-8"><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="textisa-54-8"><span style="background: white;">To receive these devotions daily, like my page or
subscribe to my blog by entering your email in the subscription box to the
right!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="textisa-54-8"><span style="background: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span class="textisa-54-8"><span style="background: white;">Translations of Greek and Hebrew words taken from
blueletterbible.org <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>Evelyn Brayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01717418297995190890noreply@blogger.com0