Tag: prayer

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Paupers and Royalty

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“For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Mathew 23:12 Niv

The Kings of old had many ways to intimidate anyone one who found themselves in the company of the royal crown. The story of Ester the Queen shows the ultimate power and sovereignty of the King. Despite being Queen the King could still reject her request to approach him on his throne. If the king didn’t give the sign he would receive her she could have been executed. Esters asked for a fast and PRAYER, of all Jews on her behalf before she would go to the King,(her husband). She said,” and if I perish, I perish.” Ester 4:16b NIV. The approach prayer taken by Ester and the who Jewish community was heart felt. Ester must have felt the weight of her predicament. Ester couldn’t pray “Now I lay me down to sleep..”. Did she kneel with her hands clasped in the traditional prayer posture? Perhaps she sweat blood and tears as she prayed. What is sure the prayers were powerful because Ester and the Jews saw the Hand of God move according to their prayers. We may not find ourselves on the pressure of surviving an evil plot to kill us off, but we need prayer for our spiritual survival. The prayers of the saints of old bear out the principal of heartfelt interaction with God.

I often fell reluctant to pray. God may be waiting for me to tell him what He already knows, my heart. God may know it, but I am ignorant of just how unbothered I can be about my relationship with Him. We ought to confess in prayer about the things our heart is holding. This is the reality of who we are. God lives in reality and supremacy eternally. This is why lies and lack of conviction in prayer are not prayer at all.

Lord help us to allow your light to illuminate our soul as to the condition of our heart. May we approach you with reverence in your Glory. Thank you for receiving our prayers because of the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. May we never be reluctant to pray, and never utter empty words to Heaven.

God we come confessing our sins and faults. Clean us and draw near with your loving kindness. Amen

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On Edge?

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“….Do not be afraid I am the First and the Last.” Revelation 1:17b NIV

…”In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33b NIV

The world seems to be pressing toward a disastrous end. I was reminded of Jesus’ comforting words as I contemplated the reelection of Donald Trump to the presidency of the United States of America for a second time. Friend, if you voted for him, you stay at ease. I am not going to throw any stones in your direction. This is an observation of the world Jesus is referring to in the preceding verse, the contrast between Kingdom of God and the United States. The politics and actions of the past few months have made it abundantly clear; the sins of our nation are compounding and the church is caught up in the midst.

Sin is not just an action it is also the motive and origin of a thing. The righteous acts are not only contrary to the sin of the world but also originate from a totally different place. We leave God out and then make judgements and act out based on someone or something that is opposed to God and His Kingdom, knowingly or in ignorance. We SIN! The world has many diverse ways in which to leave God out. America has always displayed an inclination to be religious and yet sin in religious garb.

The religion of America today has taken on an grumbling vitriol of mega proportions. The speck in our neighbors eye moves Americans to pronounce our religion is greater and more righteous than our neighbors. Sure there are believers with contrite hearts who allow God enough room to be their judge and savior, but the noisy world of the religious have drown out their voices. The world and the devil have always opposed God, but God is able to not only deal with them, but He has already defeated them and their tactics. The decay of America and it’s society is not the story of Christianity. The victory of Jesus is never going to be interrupted or delayed based on America or any countries sins or back slidden people.

Jesus walked on earth in humble circumstances many years ago. Out of those humble circumstances came the best preaching and demonstration of Godly behavior the world has ever know. America, you are not the worlds example of the Christian life. Jesus is and forever will be the Author and Finisher of our faith( Heb.12:2) KJV.

I made the title of this blog, On Edge?, because if we answer that question without acknowledging the truth of Jesus’ Lordship, we are in danger of missing God. Friend, repent with me so we might see the Kingdom of God.

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Off The Walls

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He said to me, “Son of man, now dig into the wall and saw a doorway there. Ezekiel 8:8

“Am I only a God nearby”, declares the Lord, “and not a God far away? Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?” declares the Lord. Jeremiah 23:23-24

I will Strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds. Revelation 2:23

Yes walls separate and divide, but they are no match to God’s omnipresence. People have been building since the beginning. Much of human glory is seen in architecture. The powerful and privileged have mastered walls and fortifications. The walls of any civilization show what they value. I have the privilege of visiting some upper class gated communities. The scale and beauty of these communities are impressive. However, the stories of people living in such luxury and simultaneously living in a depressed and cornered, precaution us from becoming jealous or envious. Further examination might reveal flaws that remain hidden from the common folk.

Humans have made walls in all shapes and sizes. The walls are effective in keeping other people from invading or occupying. People also build mental walls with the same results of an physical wall. I confess have climbed many physical walls as a youth. Of course they built the walls I scaled to keep people out but I didn’t get the message and went on over. My presumptions as a youth graduated into my adulthood as I attempted to scale the mental walls. This is foolishness of childhood carrying over into my adult thinking. Faith in God ought translate into actions that demonstrate faith, but scaling the mental walls of people is not an act of faith. God challenged me with the above verses. I can trust him with getting me over the walls I need to get over. Perhaps you have been trying to figure out what mental walls you ought scale. My suggestion is ask God to guide you. He is more than able to scale and see through any walls people put up. The problems arise when we presume. People won’t let us in because a many reasons but the walls don’t obstruct God from viewing and even destroying walls. God asked me could I trust Him with the walls. Of course, I can trust God. He showed my actions didn’t line up with my faith. I often scaled walls without a thought of God leading.

Maybe you see the walls people have built and like me want to help destroy the walls so they can live their best life. The walls are an opportunity to pray in faith and be led by the Spirit of God. Let’s keep praying and remaining watchful. God will lead us to glorify Him and help others. Be patient because God may take His time and also get you prepared as well as the person of the wall. P.U.S.H Pray Until Something Happens. Amen.

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Every Little Thing

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“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:17

“It’s the little things that count”, expressed and quoted in order to help someone gain a better perspective or gain knowledge. Learning about little things often give insight into a larger picture or narrative. Grieving a loved often is accompanied with some little gesture or quirk unique to them that ushers in a flood of memories and emotions. Many sleuth find the culprit with keen observation of the little things. Comedians can turn a little quirk in some ones speech or mannerisms and make us laugh. The little things do make things count, but what does that have to do with giving thanks to God? The little things help us to see the “Spirit” of a situation or person.

May God who is maker of all things great and small grace us with thanksgiving and assurance. The little virus covid is running it’s course through my body; THE LITTLE THINGS MATTER. God has graced me with another day to give thanks. Believing God is my protector and doctor is not enough. We must do our part and eat well be healthy, and don’t violate the tender presence of the Spirit with violence in spirit or body. The challenge is to live for God and with God on His terms. He ask us to trust Him with the eternal flame of love, he gives to all that call on him from their heart.

Often small task can be very difficult if we don’t devote them to something bigger. Taking the trash out or cleaning the floor may be burdensome but keeping the house clean so as to keep us healthy and feeling well is worthwhile. God is careful to give us everything we need to live out a Holy and righteous life. The desire to pursue what God offers is our responsibility. The set backs in our spiritual life are often corrected by our obedience in small matters. The small matter imposes an big shadow over our peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Let’s purpose to stay before God in prayer. Father give us an special awareness of your presence as we attempt to draw near in prayer. Often our lack in motivation is only as powerful as the our last prayer. The thoughts and feelings we all share can over ride the Spirit’s quiet leading. The small quiet prayers silence the voices and emotions from flooding our souls. Be faithful to unload as soon as we sense our spirit being hindered from following God’s Holy Spirit.

Giving thanks to God in every situation is a great place to start our journey of noticing God in the little things in life. If you had a hammer would you us it like the song “If I had a Hammer”, written by Lee Hays and Pete Seeger? Offering what ever we have back to God is an act of faith in God. He will not ignore or such actions and intentions. God is actively looking for our worship and sacrifices. People often over look small things , but God is not that way. I am praying for anyone who reads this, may they experience an outpouring of God’s Spirit. Amen