"One of the words in the original language for prayer literally means 'worship.' Another means 'to kiss the face.' Prayer is worship and worship is prayer. Prayer is kissing our Father's face. Prayer is loving and communing with God." -- Andrew Wommack
How much time are you spending worshiping in prayer, and how much time are you asking God for what you need? (or want?) The primary purpose of prayer is to love God, and to grow in your relationship with Him. In Acts 13:2 it tells us that we are to minister to the Lord. We minister to Him by praising Him, thanking Him, loving Him, singing to Him, and worshiping Him.
When your primary focus is loving and worshiping God, you'll find that you won't have to spend much time praying over things. That doesn't mean that you can't petition God. The word tells us, "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Matthew 21:22 There is a right way to ask, just not all the time, and it must line up with the word of God. James 4:3 says, "When you ask, you do not receive because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures." If you are spending time building your relationship with God, your desires will line up with His will for you.
Finally, don't let prayer become a religion. Don't struggle through an hour of prayer just so you can check off that task. If you are getting bored during your prayer, chances are God is not caring much for it either. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says to "Pray without ceasing." That means that as we go throughout our day we should be in communication with God. If we only spoke to our spouse once a day ... telling them what we wanted, and not listening for a response ... our marriage would not be very good. The same is true with God. We cannot spend a little time each day telling God what to do and expect to have a growing relationship. I love the quote I placed at the top of this. The thought that prayer is kissing my Father's face is overwhelming to me. That is what I want. I want to spend my day, everyday, loving on my heavenly Father.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Here is the Truth
I know from personal experience that when you mess up, whether it is small and private or big and public, Satan will try to use it against you for years. Here is the truth...
1. God has grace enough to cover your sin.
You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins. Psalm 85:2
2. God still has plans for you.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
3. What you imagine people are saying is always worse than what they are really saying.
(I don't have a verse to back this one. It is just something I have learned from personal experience.)
4. You are the child of the Most High King, NOT whatever Satan is whispering in your ear.
I will be a Father to you, And you shall be my sons and daughters, say the Lord Almighty. 2 Corinthians 6:18
Whatever you have done, God is ready and able to forgive and forget. 1 John 1:9 tell us that If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. I especially like that last part... He will purify us. So the next time Satan is trying to get you down, don't listen. Instead you tell him that he is defeated, and God has plans for you.
1. God has grace enough to cover your sin.
You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins. Psalm 85:2
2. God still has plans for you.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
3. What you imagine people are saying is always worse than what they are really saying.
(I don't have a verse to back this one. It is just something I have learned from personal experience.)
4. You are the child of the Most High King, NOT whatever Satan is whispering in your ear.
I will be a Father to you, And you shall be my sons and daughters, say the Lord Almighty. 2 Corinthians 6:18
Whatever you have done, God is ready and able to forgive and forget. 1 John 1:9 tell us that If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. I especially like that last part... He will purify us. So the next time Satan is trying to get you down, don't listen. Instead you tell him that he is defeated, and God has plans for you.
Monday, April 12, 2010
How do you Approach God?
Through the years, I have studied the stories of Mary and Martha. There are three events recorded in the Bible that discuss these sisters. You can read them in Luke 10:38-42, John 11:17-44, and John 12:1-3. As I have studied each of these, I have noticed the way each sister approached Jesus each time.
I am going to start with Martha. She always approached Jesus head on. At her house, she was in the kitchen fretting over the meal, and upset with her sister for not helping. She went to Jesus, and told Him what He should do. She said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me." Notice, she did not ask Jesus, she told Jesus. The next event is when Lazarus has died. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet Him. She met Him face to face to tell Him that her brother was dead. The final event, does not record Martha speaking with Jesus. It only says that she was there and she was serving. It is very important to note that Martha believed that Jesus was the Christ(John 11:27), and that Jesus loved her (John 11:5).
Now let's look at Mary. At the house, Mary was at the feet of Jesus worshiping and learning. At this Jesus said that "Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her." At the death of her brother, she did not approach Jesus until He called for her, and then she fell at His feet. Seeing her weep caused Jesus to "groan in the spirit and be troubled." Finally, in John 12 we see that it was Mary that annoited Jesus' feet with fragrant oil. You see, Mary always approached Jesus at His feet.
How do you approach Jesus? Are you like Martha? Do you meet Jesus head on with the solutions you have already decided are best? Or are you like Mary? Do you worship at His feet and know that what He has is best?
I am going to start with Martha. She always approached Jesus head on. At her house, she was in the kitchen fretting over the meal, and upset with her sister for not helping. She went to Jesus, and told Him what He should do. She said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me." Notice, she did not ask Jesus, she told Jesus. The next event is when Lazarus has died. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet Him. She met Him face to face to tell Him that her brother was dead. The final event, does not record Martha speaking with Jesus. It only says that she was there and she was serving. It is very important to note that Martha believed that Jesus was the Christ(John 11:27), and that Jesus loved her (John 11:5).
Now let's look at Mary. At the house, Mary was at the feet of Jesus worshiping and learning. At this Jesus said that "Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her." At the death of her brother, she did not approach Jesus until He called for her, and then she fell at His feet. Seeing her weep caused Jesus to "groan in the spirit and be troubled." Finally, in John 12 we see that it was Mary that annoited Jesus' feet with fragrant oil. You see, Mary always approached Jesus at His feet.
How do you approach Jesus? Are you like Martha? Do you meet Jesus head on with the solutions you have already decided are best? Or are you like Mary? Do you worship at His feet and know that what He has is best?
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Check Your Tone
As a mother of two, and owner of a small in-home preschool, I know what a valuable commodity quiet is. So this evening, when the guys were at the golf course, I allowed Erin to watch a movie on the portable DVD player in her room. Thus assuring I would have a few minutes that I could just sit and have quiet... or so I thought.
Normally, Erin loves the treat of watching a movie in her room, not this evening. She kept coming in and out asking questions and needing stuff. After about the sixth time, when she called my name I responded with a very exaggerated/exasperated WHAT? She stopped immediately and said, "Don't you love me anymore?" Wow! Just one word, and the way it was expressed, made her question my feelings for her. I apologized for my reaction and assured her that nothing could make me quit loving her. She is 4 and she rebounds quickly, so after a hug and a smile all was well.
Have you checked your tone? With family? With friends? With strangers? As Christians, we are supposed to be a light for others that they may see Jesus in us. We are supposed to be different than the world, and others should want what we have. If our tone is not right, our light is dim. If we respond like the world, why would anyone want what we have... we look just like they do.
I am reminded of Jesus' earthly ministry. He got tired, hungry, and wanted some time to Himself just like we do. Yet, when he would be interrupted He never responded with a "WHAT?" No, He responded with love. We also should respond in love so that others will see the love of God in us.
By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another John 13:35
Normally, Erin loves the treat of watching a movie in her room, not this evening. She kept coming in and out asking questions and needing stuff. After about the sixth time, when she called my name I responded with a very exaggerated/exasperated WHAT? She stopped immediately and said, "Don't you love me anymore?" Wow! Just one word, and the way it was expressed, made her question my feelings for her. I apologized for my reaction and assured her that nothing could make me quit loving her. She is 4 and she rebounds quickly, so after a hug and a smile all was well.
Have you checked your tone? With family? With friends? With strangers? As Christians, we are supposed to be a light for others that they may see Jesus in us. We are supposed to be different than the world, and others should want what we have. If our tone is not right, our light is dim. If we respond like the world, why would anyone want what we have... we look just like they do.
I am reminded of Jesus' earthly ministry. He got tired, hungry, and wanted some time to Himself just like we do. Yet, when he would be interrupted He never responded with a "WHAT?" No, He responded with love. We also should respond in love so that others will see the love of God in us.
By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another John 13:35
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Don't Limit God's Favor
As you all know, it is tax season. This year, Jason and I didn't know what to expect with our taxes. We started a remodeling business in January, and I started a preschool in August. We were expecting to owe, but honestly didn't know how much.
I really hadn't spent a lot of time thinking about it, and no time praying about it. I know that Jason had prayed about it, and he was trusting God to provide what we would need. Last week we turned all of our information over to a CPA, and waited.
Over the weekend, Jason was a little distracted wondering about them. So, yesterday morning I decieded to pray about them. As I was praying, I said, "God, please let them be under ... " Before I could say the amount I was thinking, I felt my spirit tell me not to put a dollar figure on them. So I stopped, and just said, "God take care of it." Then I didn't think anything else about them.
That afternoon Jason sent me a text. He had just spoke to the CPA. Not only do we not owe anything, we are actually getting a refund! As soon as I saw that I texted back, "That is the favor of God!" Jason and I spent a few minutes just praising God right there.
That was not an event that happend over night. God had it planned all along. As a matter of fact He brought to my memory of something He asked me to do back in December. At the time, I thought it odd, but I did it. Now I realize that it was laying the ground work for God to use another person to show us favor in this area.
Psalm 78:41 says "yes, again and again they tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel." I truly believe that had I stated a dollar amount that morning, I would have limited the blessing received that afternoon.
We all need to remember not to put limits on God. How often do we ask God to take care of something, but then tell Him how it should be done. He has a much better plan than we could ever determine. Trust Him, and allow Him to shower you with His favor. Then spend time praising Him for all that He has done.
I really hadn't spent a lot of time thinking about it, and no time praying about it. I know that Jason had prayed about it, and he was trusting God to provide what we would need. Last week we turned all of our information over to a CPA, and waited.
Over the weekend, Jason was a little distracted wondering about them. So, yesterday morning I decieded to pray about them. As I was praying, I said, "God, please let them be under ... " Before I could say the amount I was thinking, I felt my spirit tell me not to put a dollar figure on them. So I stopped, and just said, "God take care of it." Then I didn't think anything else about them.
That afternoon Jason sent me a text. He had just spoke to the CPA. Not only do we not owe anything, we are actually getting a refund! As soon as I saw that I texted back, "That is the favor of God!" Jason and I spent a few minutes just praising God right there.
That was not an event that happend over night. God had it planned all along. As a matter of fact He brought to my memory of something He asked me to do back in December. At the time, I thought it odd, but I did it. Now I realize that it was laying the ground work for God to use another person to show us favor in this area.
Psalm 78:41 says "yes, again and again they tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel." I truly believe that had I stated a dollar amount that morning, I would have limited the blessing received that afternoon.
We all need to remember not to put limits on God. How often do we ask God to take care of something, but then tell Him how it should be done. He has a much better plan than we could ever determine. Trust Him, and allow Him to shower you with His favor. Then spend time praising Him for all that He has done.
Monday, April 5, 2010
The Desires of Your Heart
What are the desires of your heart? Are you receiving them? Would you like to know how you can? Any one who has heard me teach very often knows that one of my favorite verses in the Bible is Psalm 37:4. It says, "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." God laid this verse on my heart several years ago, and I have truly been living it.
So, how do you delight yourself in the Lord? The Message says it this way, "Keep company with God, and get in on the best." That's it, that is the secret, keep company with God. The more you spend time reading His word, listening to His word, speaking His word, and meditating on His word, the more your relationship will grow with Him. You will find one of two things happen. Either you receive what you desire, or God will change your desire.
As a mother, one of my biggest desires has been to stay at home, raise my children, and to homeschool them. This was my desire even before Ethan was born. However, we did not believe we were financially able for me to stay home, so I worked outside of the home. I simply began praying and delighting myself in God. At first, I was praying for financial windfalls so that we would be stable. God changed my desire. I quit praying for the windfall, and began praying for us to rely on God to provide all our needs. He has, and still does. Now, I am a stay at home/homeschool mom. I am truly living the desires of my heart.
Please understand, God is not some genie in a bottle. You can not just rub the Bible and get your wish. You have to spend time with Him. It is not a matter of changing His mind to give you what you want. Rather, it is Him changing your heart to receive what He wants to give.
Start keeping company with God today. You will be amazed at the blessings He will pour out on you.
So, how do you delight yourself in the Lord? The Message says it this way, "Keep company with God, and get in on the best." That's it, that is the secret, keep company with God. The more you spend time reading His word, listening to His word, speaking His word, and meditating on His word, the more your relationship will grow with Him. You will find one of two things happen. Either you receive what you desire, or God will change your desire.
As a mother, one of my biggest desires has been to stay at home, raise my children, and to homeschool them. This was my desire even before Ethan was born. However, we did not believe we were financially able for me to stay home, so I worked outside of the home. I simply began praying and delighting myself in God. At first, I was praying for financial windfalls so that we would be stable. God changed my desire. I quit praying for the windfall, and began praying for us to rely on God to provide all our needs. He has, and still does. Now, I am a stay at home/homeschool mom. I am truly living the desires of my heart.
Please understand, God is not some genie in a bottle. You can not just rub the Bible and get your wish. You have to spend time with Him. It is not a matter of changing His mind to give you what you want. Rather, it is Him changing your heart to receive what He wants to give.
Start keeping company with God today. You will be amazed at the blessings He will pour out on you.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Beware of Little Foxes
Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom. Song of Solomon 2:15
This week I have allowed little foxes to sneak in and cause heartache between myself and Jason. My little foxes were those of discontentment. It all started on Monday, when we got a call asking if we would be interested in selling our house. This is something that we had not even thought about yet. (Those of you who know my husband, know this will be a condsideration at some time.) We are really enjoying our house, and it's location. However, this phone call made me start considering the things that I would like changed or wished I had.
When one fox gets in, he will invite friends. By the end of the week, I was unhappy with my car. My car is old, and does have a few issues. This caused me to start pestering Jason about getting a different car. The truth is the car is old, but it is paid for. The things that are wrong, are not serious. As a matter of fact, one of the biggest issues I had with it, I fixed with a can of WD40 this afternoon.
You see, I really am not unhappy with my house or my car. Satan used a couple of little things to create distance between myself and Jason. Thankfully, God opened my eyes to it this morning. I have asked forgiveness for my bad behavior, and have kicked those little foxes right out of my vineyard. I am not only content, I am blessed beyond measure.
Watch out for the little things, don't allow them to build into something bigger than they are. Gaurd your relationships ... all relationships. Check your attitudes and communicate with each other. Little foxes can appear harmless, when in fact they can wreck your relationship ... with your spouse ... with your family ... with your friends ... with God.
This week I have allowed little foxes to sneak in and cause heartache between myself and Jason. My little foxes were those of discontentment. It all started on Monday, when we got a call asking if we would be interested in selling our house. This is something that we had not even thought about yet. (Those of you who know my husband, know this will be a condsideration at some time.) We are really enjoying our house, and it's location. However, this phone call made me start considering the things that I would like changed or wished I had.
When one fox gets in, he will invite friends. By the end of the week, I was unhappy with my car. My car is old, and does have a few issues. This caused me to start pestering Jason about getting a different car. The truth is the car is old, but it is paid for. The things that are wrong, are not serious. As a matter of fact, one of the biggest issues I had with it, I fixed with a can of WD40 this afternoon.
You see, I really am not unhappy with my house or my car. Satan used a couple of little things to create distance between myself and Jason. Thankfully, God opened my eyes to it this morning. I have asked forgiveness for my bad behavior, and have kicked those little foxes right out of my vineyard. I am not only content, I am blessed beyond measure.
Watch out for the little things, don't allow them to build into something bigger than they are. Gaurd your relationships ... all relationships. Check your attitudes and communicate with each other. Little foxes can appear harmless, when in fact they can wreck your relationship ... with your spouse ... with your family ... with your friends ... with God.
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