How Fresh is Your Fruit?

“But when he [John] saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” Matthew 3:7-8

When I was a little girl, my grandmother lived right next door. I spent time at her house nearly every day. Each time I walked up the steps and into her dining room, the first thing I saw was the dining room table with it’s centerpiece - a bowl of fruit. The bowl was a beautiful green glass with a ruffled edge and it had an unusual shape.  But what really occupied my attention was the fruit inside of the bowl. It looked real to my little eyes, but it wasn’t. I would poke the apple and squeeze the grapes, yet they didn’t have any life in them. They looked the same, day in and day out. 

At first glance, a visitor might see fruit that resembled something authentic, but upon closer inspection, they would realize it was fake.  It had no substance.  It provided no nourishment.  It wasn’t the product of being connected to a tree or vine.  It was plastic. Eventually, the plastic fruit was thrown away. It wasn’t worth keeping- it was fake. And when it was tossed, it didn’t sink into the earth to produce more fruit, no, it just went to a landfill- rubbish with no value.

John the Baptist called out the Pharisees and Sadducees on the same issue. He first called them a brood of vipers- snakes who were shrewd, sly, and full of poison. Then he challenged them to “produce fruit in keeping with repentance!”.  The fruit these men exhibited was artificial- it was a product of following rules, of evaluating themselves in comparison to others who didn’t know as much or follow the rules as well (in that case, they were sure to always come out on top).  Oh, the Pharisees and Sadducees knew how to use Scripture, of that we can be sure. But they didn’t use it to teach and encourage, no, they used it to intimidate and oppress others.  Their knowledge was used to gain power over others and elevate their own standing.

These men stood in judgment over others as if they had the authority by God to do so.  Their fruit was self-manufactured and synthetic. It didn’t give evidence of life, nor did it give evidence of being connected to the Vine- Jesus.  It didn’t nourish others and it didn’t produce a harvest. No, it was just legalistic rule-following, all for show and to earn the praise of men.  It manifested as anger, pride, arrogance, and entitlement. The Pharisees and Sadducees had plastic faith and fake fruit.

“Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.” Ephesians 5:6 

So what distinguishes real fruit from something that ‘looks’ similar, but is fake? Real fruit has a fragrance that draws people to want to enjoy it.  It brings refreshment and nourishment.  It is alive with colors that are vibrant because they’re all natural and a product of creation, not manufacturing.  When the seeds of real fruit are planted they sink into the fertile soil and produce more fruit. 

Isn’t that what the Holy Spirit does in our hearts?  He cultivates real fruit that is fragrant and nourishing.  The fruit benefits not only us, but those around us.  He produces in us love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  He grows those character qualities in us that are so appealing that others want to be near, to learn more, to be blessed by us because it’s not us...but God IN us that affects the change and brings the fruit. When we are in Christ, He works in us and through us to show others the life that is transforming us into the likeness of Jesus.

“For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.” 2 Corinthians 2:15

Godly fruit is nothing we can manufacture in ourselves because we have no power to transform our own hearts and minds- that is always, only Jesus in us producing fruit in keeping with His likeness.

“For the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth.”Ephesians 5:9

This week, let’s pray that our sons and daughters have clear discernment to recognize fake fruit. There are ‘Pharisees and Sadducees’ all around us, even today. Pray that they would seek to listen to those who are connected to the Vine-producing real fruit and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide their words and actions versus those with selfish ambition and vain conceit.

Pray, too, that they would allow Christ to work in their heart and mind to produce authentic fruit- evidence of a life lived in pursuit of Jesus. Pray they would surround themselves with others who are also pursuing Jesus.  Philippians 1:9-11 is a wonderful prayer. Let’s pray for real fruit 

“Heavenly Father, You are the Creator and Sustainer.  You cultivated the Garden and placed man there for fellowship with You.  Though sin destroyed it, You made a way, through Jesus, that we can enjoy fellowship and life with You.  I pray that You would work in (name) today.  Cultivate authentic fruit in their life that gives evidence of their faith in Christ.  Keep them from the temptation to be a people-pleaser, going through the motions and saying words only to get the affirmation of others or to ‘look the part’.  I pray, Holy Spirit, that you would grow in them love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Those with fake fruit don’t demonstrate these qualities.  Help me to give evidence as well, so that when my family sees me, they don’t see a synthetic faith, but genuine love for Jesus that produces fruit that is sweet and refreshing.  Lord, change me, grow me, and help me to live out my faith with confidence in Jesus alone.  Let the fragrance of my faith be such that others would catch the fragrance of Jesus and they would breath deeply of Him. Lord, I pray the words of Paul in Philippians 1:9-11 for (name), “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.” Lord, fill them with the fruit of righteousness and let it grow, let it flourish, let it be authentic and beautiful for the glory and praise of Jesus, in His name I pray, amen.”

Pray without ceasing.

Disengaged, Indifferent, and Turning Away

“Only 11% of Gen Z are considered “Scripture Engaged,”” according to the American Bible Society (1). That means, 89% of Gen Z are uninvolved, having no commitment to fellowship in church or spending time in the Word.  89%.  That’s a significant number. As a parent, that should at best, make us pause, and at worst, drive us to our knees in prayer. 

There used to be a time when most people seemed to have regard for God and respect for Scripture, even if they were not “church-going” people.  Parents often recognized the importance of instilling values in their children and were not opposed to them attending Sunday School or VBS, even if they did not attend themselves.  How far we’ve moved from that standard.  It’s not the norm any longer and those who embrace that are often labeled as ‘antiquated’, or worse.

“Our youngest adults—those in Generation Z—have more fears, greater anxiety, lower self-esteem, and less affirmation from peers than any older generation.”

The result is that, according to John F. Plake, the CIO of the American Bible Society, “Our youngest adults—those in Generation Z—have more fears, greater anxiety, lower self-esteem, and less affirmation from peers than any older generation.” (1) We can see it, can’t we? Even our own sons and daughters are struggling, though they may not readily admit it.

The further we distance ourselves from God and Scripture, the greater the anxieties and fears that plague us and we experience more unrest, both mental and emotional.  We’ve shifted from God’s truth to our own truth, that which no one can contradict because it’s subjective and personal.  Yet, individual truth leaves a gap of morality and safety.  No one knows what the rules are and the expectations continually change.  So we’re left with an ‘every man for himself’ approach that leaves people craving affirmation from others rather than God, seeking tangible things to fill the spiritual hunger, and running after idols that look like relationships, titles, possessions, and experiences.

We have the most powerful weapon in our arsenal: prayer.  

So what can we do?  Where do we turn?  As parents, we no longer have the opportunity to wake them up on a Sunday and get them ready for church.  We can’t cart them off to AWANA and then review their memory verses with them for the following week.  There is no adult VBS where they can meet with their friends, play games and learn God’s word in a fun summer program.  No, our options are limited, but we have the most powerful weapon in our arsenal: prayer.  

“The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.” James 5:16b-20

There is incredible, spirit-moving, kingdom-building power in prayer!  We have access to the Throne of the Almighty, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  He is our Father, our Savior, our Friend and He listens intently to the prayer of our heart.  We can pray with confidence. Satan doesn’t stand a chance because Christ has already won!

“And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” Colossians 2:15

Ephesians 6:10-12 tells us, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”

So let’s agree to pray together for this generation of young adults who so desperately need to turn to the Savior and rest in Him.  Let’s pray that they will hunger and thirst after righteousness and crave time in His Word - God’s Word is transformational!  Pray they will sense the stirring of the Holy Spirit and turn to embrace Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  

This week we’re doing something a little different by having scripture and prayer for every day of the week. Let’s bathe our sons and daughters in prayer using God’s Word and ask Him to move and work in their hearts and draw them into active, vibrant fellowship with Him.  Each Scripture is focused on the phrase “Your Word” and the message is powerful!

Sunday

“Oh Lord, my heart is heavy.  This generation of young adults is drifting away from You and many don’t even know You.  Almighty God, Lord of all, I bring (name) before You today and ask that You would draw them into right fellowship with You.  Give them a hunger and thirst for Your Word.  Even today, Lord, open their eyes to see their Bible and urge them to pick it up and begin reading.  I know I can’t motivate this, but You can.  Change what their heart craves because I know that only by living according to Your Word, (name) will keep their way pure (Psalm 119:11). I pray that (name) would delight in Your decrees and would not neglect Your Word (Psalm 119:16)  I pray that Your Word would be a lamp to their feet and a light to their path (Psalm 119:105)  Jesus, I pray that You would be what they crave and they would fall in love with You in ways that words can’t describe. Draw them to You. It is in Your name I pray, amen.”

Monday

“Sovereign Lord, there is so much in this world that would pull us away from You.  I bring (name) before You today and ask You to work in their heart and mind.   I pray that You would Turn (names) eyes away from worthless things; preserve [their] life according to Your Word. (Psalm 119:37) There are so many influences and temptations that have potential to ensnare (name) in sin and trap them in bondage to the brokenness of this world.  I pray that they would seek Your precepts so that they might walk about in freedom.(Psalm 119:45). Only You can change their desires and motivate change.  I ask that You would protect them, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

Tuesday

Oh Lord, “My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to Your Word.(Psalm 119:28).  Help me to trust in Your mighty protection over (name).  I pray that they would engage with You today in prayer, in praise, in worship, and in Your Word.  Strengthen them through Scripture and let those words sink deeply and effect change so (name) “can answer anyone who taunts [them], for (name) trusts in Your Word (Psalm 119:42).  Bring a change of heart, of attitude, and of direction in (name)’s life, even today.  I know You can do it, Lord, I pray that You would, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

Wednesday

Father God, I pray that today You would “direct (name)’s footsteps according to Your Word; let no sin rule over [them] (Psalm 119:133).  But to live according to Your Word, they have to know Your Word and to know it, they have to spend time there.  Stir a desire to read their Bible, to listen to teaching, and to be involved in a church fellowship.  Today I ask that You would bring to mind the verses they memorized as a child, You promised that by hiding Your Word in our hearts, we would not sin against You (Psalm 119:11).  Protect (name) from sin.  Lord, do a work in (name)’s heart and mind today.  Change them.  Make them more like Christ.  In His name I pray, amen.

Thursday

Heavenly Father, “I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in Your Word” (Psalm 119:147).  You are the hope of eternal life and in Your words I find life.  You are the only hope for redemption in this dark and difficult world.  Open (name)’s eyes to love Your Precepts.  Give them a longing to spend time in prayer and fellowship with You so they can say, “See how I love your precepts; preserve my life, LORD, in accordance with your love” (Psalm 119:159). Help them, like Peter, to recognize there is no one else who holds that power, “Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). I know this world is hard, life pulls at us from all directions and I see the pressure on this generation and on (name) specifically.  They’re longing for peace and to find what satisfies them.  I ask that You would help (name) to “remember, LORD, your ancient laws, and I find comfort in them” (Psalm 119:52). Only You can quench their thirst and fill (name) with good things.  I pray that You would. Lord, please show me You’re working. I trust You.  In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.”

Friday

“Oh dear Savior, I know that (name) is weary, they’re struggling against all of the negative influences in this world…or caving in to the pressures of them. 
[Their] soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen [them] according to Your Word (Psalm 119:28).  Help them to turn to You and to Your Word for strength, encouragement, refreshment, and solace.  Lord, I know when they do that, they will be strengthened to “answer anyone who taunts [them], for[they] trust in Your Word (Psalm 119:42).  Show them they can trust You, Lord.  Show them You’re listening to their cries.  Be near to them, lean in and surround them with Your favor as with a shield (Psalm 5:12). May my [parent] cry come before you, LORD; give me understanding according to Your Word (Psalm 119:169) and do the same for (name) in Jesus’ name, amen.”

Saturday

“Lord, God, my prayer is that (name) would “reach out for your commands, which [they] love, that [they] may meditate on your decrees. (Psalm 119:48).  I pray that (name) would pray, “You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in Your Word” (Psalm 119:114).  May it be true that their hope is in Your Word.  And let it be that “those who fear You rejoice when they see (name), for (name) has put [their] hope in Your Word.(Psalm 119:74).  Lord, You have the power to change (name) and draw them into fellowship with You, yet You’ve also gifted them with the freedom to choose- oh how I pray they choose You, again and again.  Holy Spirit, give them a hunger and thirst for You and lead them to the living water that satisfies beyond anything this world can offer.  I pray all this in Jesus’ name, amen.”

God is not done working and He is able to do more than we could ever imagine.  Lean into Him and wait expectantly- He will do it!

Pray without ceasing.

1. New research shows Gen z is the least scripture engaged generation. American Bible Society. (2024, September 12). https://www.americanbible.org/news/press-releases/articles/new-research-shows-gen-z-is-the-least-scripture-engaged-generation/?utm_campaign=The+Culture+Translator&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9oBgy6dp8kdNK8QRJBh3oZb-mVzLanwWwMD6As3LcgvpHvIPyziv5UdV32gu4PWGBwjeXuKsZ9IrKViqHFrwyKB3QizA&_hsmi=332877897&utm_content=332877897&utm_source=hs_email

Teach Them to Love Jesus

“Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” Deuteronomy 6:5

We’ve taught our sons and daughters many things over the years, often by talking to them and repeating words and phrases and the truths of Scripture, but more often, by being an example to them.  When we taught them how to tie their shoes, we didn’t just say it, we showed them- over and over, until they could do it themselves, and then we praised their efforts.  We taught them how to be self-sufficient, mature, and how to live with integrity.

When it comes to teaching our sons and daughters the truths of faith, our words carry weight, but our example speaks more loudly.  Friends, we need to live it out in front of them.  Our words don’t have nearly as much impact as our actions, our attitudes, and the demonstration of our love and commitment to Jesus being lived out in our daily life.  It cannot be “do as I say, not as I do”.  They’re adults.  They will do what they choose.  But if we live out our faith, consistently, circumspectly, putting Jesus at the forefront, always, our lives will reflect His character and our actions will demonstrate our priority of faith.  Because, if we’re honest, it’s not that we want our kids to do what we say…we want them to do what Jesus says.  

Think back to your days in elementary school.  Do you remember the lessons?  Do you recall how you learned fractions or reading?  It’s possible vague details will return, but if asked about your teacher, you would immediately begin to give  a description of how your teacher interacted with you and made you feel important, seen, and valued.   The teacher had a lot to say, but what impacted us was their character and actions toward us.  

“I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.” Philippians 3:12b-15

As we live out our Christian walk, are we investing more time and energy into words, or actions?  Are we trying to convince others (especially our sons and daughters) that what we believe is right and true, or are we modeling it to them?  We must be cautious because we can weary others by always trying to prove our point.  Paul says “and if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.”  Paul was assuring the Philippians that by pursuing the Lord, God would make clear what is right and true.  It wasn’t up to Paul and the church to correct people’s thinking.  Should we speak truth? Absolutely! Can we demand or pressure others to follow it.? Not so much. It’s a heart-decision that only the Holy Spirit can motivate.

Though our sons and daughters are grown, we still feel that burden to know that they are walking with the Lord.  That burden may inspire us to speak a bit too much, press a little too hard, to try and sway their thinking.  But friends, we are still teaching them when we interact with them by living out our faith.  We demonstrate how to be a disciple when we consistently follow the Lord, pursue personal time with Him, memorize His word and obey His commands.  We model what it means to love when we are patient, kind, unselfish, and forgiving (1 Corinthians 13).  We show them the strength and humility that accompanies asking forgiveness when we apologize for saying what we shouldn’t or doing something hurtful. We are not above that, at any age.  

Our interaction with them says more than our words ever could.  It communicates that God is what is most important to us and we will always submit to Him, making Him the head, the Lord, and the Shepherd of our hearts. He is the One to whom we surrender all of ourselves, and that will be reflected in our life, so more than in our words. Take a moment to check yourself, is that what your life demonstrates? Could others testify to it… would they?

Model Jesus to your sons and daughters at every opportunity.  Let your actions speak loudly and let the Holy Spirit do His work. 

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:” Philippians 2:3-5

Pray that they would love Jesus authentically and that He would be the foundation upon which they build their life.

Pray without ceasing.

Created to Worship

“You shall have no other gods before Me.”  Exodus 20:3

We were created to worship.

We were created to worship. There is something inside every person which compels us to do so. It is how we are wired, how God created us.  We naturally gravitate to attaching ourselves to something for meaning and purpose: our attention, our affection, and our resources all need a target, a recipient.  Our worship never lies dormant and unused.  When our heart, soul, and mind are consumed with God, obeying Him, walking in His commandments, and modeling our life after Him, there is great fulfillment and the beauty and joy of being one with our Savior.  But if we’re not worshiping God, what do we worship?

Our worship never lies dormant and unused. 

Whether we believe in God, or we follow a ‘system of belief’, or we claim nothing at all, we are still committed to something.  And whatever takes first place in one’s life is, in fact, what is worshiped.  Dictionary.com defines worship as “to render religious reverence and homage to; to feel an adoring reverence or regard for (any person or thing).  Synonyms include the words adulate, idolize, adore, revere, etc.” (1)  The object of one’s affection, attention, and resources tells us much about a person.

Satan’s sole desire is that his doom becomes ours as well.  

Satan does his best to derail us, occupy our thoughts and hijack our worship.  He distracts us from God and His Word.  He puts attractive and sparkly things in our view that pull our gaze from God.  He caters to our wants and desires and lures us with promises of importance, power, affluence, satisfaction, and peace.  Satan promises what he can deliver in this world- temporal things- to pull us from the One who can promise us eternity in His presence- eternal things.  Satan can never have that.  He will never be delivered from sin.  He will never enjoy eternity with Christ.  His sole desire is that his doom becomes ours as well.  

God created standards for worship

“You shall have no other gods before Me.”  “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth;  you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.  “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain. Exodus 20:3-7 (NKJV)

When God gave the Israelites the Ten Commandments, He began with intentional instructions that set the standard for their relationship with Him.  The God-focused commandments were the foundation for everything else:

•  They should have no other gods- which indicates there were other gods competing for attention.  

• They should have no idols- no other object of our worship, always God, only God.  

• They should not take God’s name in vain…in other words, they should not call themselves followers of the one true God and live otherwise.

If we, as Believers, would keep these commandments, our relationship with God would be right, and, in turn, our relationship with others would flow out of that right relationship with Him.   Love God.  Love your neighbor.

Substitute gods, misdirected worship

When our life is out of alignment with God, we are drawn to all of the other things that would take God’s place.  We substitute His authority for all the things that promise a ‘better’ way, more fulfillment, peace and happiness.  We exchange our Holy, Sovereign God for something man made, a faux deity, a cheap substitution.  Oh how we try to fill our need to worship something, with anything, but the One Who is deserving of our commitment and adoration.

Human relationships can’t satisfy the need to worship.  Accomplishments and financial gain are temporary and fleeting.  Only worship directed toward God brings us into a right relationship with Him, aligns us with His will, and will satisfy the deep need and desire to worship that dwells in the soul.   The longings to worship were established by God Himself and only He can satiate that deep need in the context of a relationship with Him.

So, how are we modeling worship to our sons and daughters?

Whatever we dedicate ourselves to, that which consumes our thoughts, around which we plan our day and decisions, invest our finances, and which takes priority is what we worship. For some, it’s easily identified by how they live their life and into what they pour their gifts, talents, and resources.  As we pursue worship, so do our sons and daughters.  What do their choices indicate they’re worshiping?  To what does their life testify?  Do they pursue God, or a god?  Have we set the standard correctly, or have we missed the mark?

Stop today and evaluate your own worship.  If asked, would others say without hesitation that you worship God?  Is He the priority in your life, not just stated, but lived?  Are you loving the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind and all your strength? 

Here is the real test…how would our sons and daughters describe our worship?

Take it to the Lord in prayer

Let’s pray and ask God to reveal what lies in our heart.  Ask Him to uncover areas of misdirected worship.  Then, let’s pray that we can model authentic worship to those around us, especially our sons and daughters.  Ask the Lord to deepen their commitment to Him, bring them into closer fellowship and guard them from idolatry and misdirected worship.

“Oh, Lord, God, You are the One true God. You are the Creator and Sustainer. You are the only One deserving of all my worship and praise. Lord, cleanse me from any competing thoughts and desires. Reveal my misdirected worship. Help me align my life with You so that what flows out of my heart and soul is true and correct worship for You and only You. I pray that You would also work in (name)’s heart. Bring conviction where there is sin. Reveal any idols that dwell in their life. Lord, bind the enemy so he has no influence. Take away any sinful longings and selfish desires. Create in us a clean heart and renew a right spirit within us so that our worship is only and always Yours and Yours alone. Restore to me and to (name) the joy of Your salvation. Let us not find any greater joy that in living for and serving You. Time is short, this world is dark, help us to live a life that reflects Your light and salvation. Let our salt not lose its flavor. Lord, be the whole object of our worship, help us to “Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness.” Psalm 29:2 I pray this in Jesus’ name, amen.”

Fear the LORD your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name.  Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you; for the LORD your God, who is among you, is a jealous God and his anger will burn against you, and he will destroy you from the face of the land.  Deuteronomy 6:13-15

Pray without ceasing

1. Dictionary.com. (n.d.). Worship definition & meaning. Dictionary.com. https://www.dictionary.com/browse/worship

Spiritual Drought and Times of Refreshing

Sometimes life is difficult, so much so, that our soul feels weathered and dry and our prayers flat and lifeless.  We long for a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit, but no matter how long we search for that refreshment, we can only see the desert and feel the dry air of spiritually empty space.  God’s voice seems muffled and our heart just can’t muster the strength to pray; we’re in a spiritual drought.

We can hope, and pray that the Lord would bring renewal- streams of revival, but finding the words to even ask Him can be a struggle.   It’s hard to pray for our own heart, let alone the hearts of our sons and daughters.  

It’s times like these that we need to turn to Scripture and pray the words God’s given us.  He’s so generously provided rich words filled with Truth and hope, bathed in grace and saturated with mercy.  His Word is always enough.  And how can we be equipped to pray for our sons and daughters if we’re not immersing ourselves in the Word, allowing God to empty us of ourselves and fill us with Him? Sometimes the season of drought helps bring things into perspective. It brings to light the necessities of survival for our spiritual life: Jesus’ living water, the breath of God and the fire of the Holy Spirit…the elements of the Living God.

We need to be that tree in Psalm 1, planted by streams of water,  which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.  Notice, the fruit comes in season…that means there are seasons without fruit.  That’s okay. It doesn’t mean we’re ineffective.  It doesn’t mean we’re broken.  We haven’t stepped out of His will so that He’s removing His hand of blessing.  No, though the tree might ‘look’ dead, its roots are deep and the branches are preparing for another season of growth.  So, too, God allows us to go through dry seasons as He prepares us for another time of growth.  Consider the maple tree.  In the dead of winter, when the forest is brown and brittle, the maple tree begins to run its sap.  The sweetest product of the tree comes when it ‘appears’ to be lifeless.  So, too, God can bring sweetness out of our drought-ridden times.

The Law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul (Ps 19.7). 

So, today, take time to soak in the Word of God.  Let His words fill you and saturate your soul with His living water.  Pray Scripture back to Him. Be refreshed by His Word.

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?  Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Ps 42:1-2,11

I waited patiently for the Lord ; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.  He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord .  Psalm 40:1-3 1 

O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.  I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory.  Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.  I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.  My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.  Ps 63:1-5 

Why not share, in the comments, other scripture that’s spoken to you.  Let’s encourage one another on to faithfulness and joy!  Be encouraged, friends, times of refreshing are coming!

Pray without ceasing.

God Teaches Us Prayer Through Parenting

It’s likely we all pray every day, in some form or fashion.  Whether it’s giving thanks before a meal or a quick ‘rocket’ prayer for help or intervention.  But what about a dedicated time of prayer each day when we’re talking and listening to the Lord, deeply and intentionally interacting with Him, being still before Him and waiting on Him?

If we’ve parented, or cared for children at all, whether they were our own or belonged to others, we’ve undergone a sort of prayer ‘boot camp’ whether we realize it or not.  The skills and habits we developed in taking care of children are those God wants us to use to be more effective in prayer.  

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Colossians 4:2

The Apostle Paul used the word ‘devote’ to impress on us the need for more than just “minute prayers”.  It is the Greek word ‘proskartereō’ and it means “to be earnest towards, to persevere, be constantly diligent, or (in a place) to attend assiduously all the exercises, or (to a person) to adhere closely to (as a servitor):—attend (give self) continually.” (1) 

Constantly diligent.  Doesn’t that describe parenthood?  And if we had a busy, adventurous, adrenaline-seeking child, well, that diligence shot to a whole new level.  Whether it is an infant, a toddler, really, a child of any age, a parent is constantly diligent because they need to be aware of the dangers, aware of where that little one is, what they’re doing, and be continually ready to intervene.  Isn’t that so much like prayer?  Always watching, diligently aware, ready to intervene, attending continually.  Oh how God gives us such tangible examples of what our walk and talk with Him should be like!  Do we recognize it? Do we practice that?

Then, He tells us to be watchful.  The Greek word is grēgoreō and it means “to be  watchful in, employ the most conscientious care in a thing.” (2) Again, our parenting prepares us well for how we should pray.  And God tells us so often to be watchful:

• Matthew 24:42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” 

• Matthew 25:13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”

• 1 Corinthians 16:13 “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.”

• 1 Thessalonians 5:6 “So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake (alert) and sober.”

• 1 Peter 5:8 “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

We wouldn’t dream of leaving our children to fend for themselves for days on end, we wouldn’t dare let them venture into dangerous places or with questionable or unsafe people.  No, we are always alert and awake, watching and caring.  Even as they move into adulthood, our parental watchfulness isn’t easily released.  Friends, that is how God wants us to pray.  Alert to the dangers at hand and to the enemy who stalks; ever awake and watching for His return. It could happen today! 

Finally, Scripture tells us to be thankful.  eucharistia is “gratitude; actively, grateful language (to God, as an act of worship).” (3)  Maybe it’s time for a checkup.  Is our prayer life an act of worship?  Or does it more resemble the ‘instacart’ of our spiritual life, checking off our order and waiting for the delivery?

Devoted, watchful and thankful.  That’s the kind of prayer life we need to engage in daily and that which we need to model to our families and to the body of believers.  Look around you.  This world is on fire.  Things are not getting better.  Sin is rampant and celebrated.  What is right is ridiculed as wrong and offensive.  Those who stand for Godly principles are mocked, persecuted, and in some countries, executed.  Time is short and Jesus’ return is near.  What do we want our sons and daughters to know and remember?  Our awareness of the times should increase and deepen our prayer life.

Let’s get on our knees this week in devoted prayer- constantly diligent.  Let’s be watchful and pray for what is going on around us and for those who are engaging in spiritual battles.  Let’s pray for the Body of Christ, the fellowship of believers, interceding for their spiritual growth and protection.  Then, worship the Lord in prayer through thankfulness.

Be thankful we CAN pray- we have that privilege and access. Be grateful that God provides examples and encouragement to guide our prayer so we can align our words and actions with His word and expectations.  Be thankful we still have breath and life to intercede for others.  Then, let's pray for our sons and daughters that God would guide them to deeper, more effective, more worshipful prayer, too.

Set aside the list and get on your knees and commune with the Father, allow the Holy Spirit to intercede when your words cannot.  Pray in Jesus' name for God to work and move powerfully.  He will do it.

“Heavenly Father, I come before You in the name of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  It is because of Him that I can enter Your throne room and sit at Your feet.  I praise You for Your greatness.  I surrender myself to You, the Great I Am, the Lord of Lords, and King of Kings- there is no other.  What a tremendous blessing I have in being Your child!”

“Lord, I ask that my prayer would be an act of worship toward You, exalting Your name and bringing glory to You.  Teach me to pray more effectively, keep me ‘awake’ so that I would be diligent in prayer- always recognizing the things I need to bring before You and readily falling on my knees to entrust You with each burden, care, and battle.  I want to be so devoted to prayer that my sons and daughters would know that their parent prays daily, diligently, and authentically, not just for what I want or wish for, but in serious, spiritually-led prayer that is life-changing, life-protecting, and effective.  Lord, I cannot pray well on my own.  But You can guide me in prayer so that I please You with my words and with the attitude of my heart.  Work in me so that I am always keeping watch, praying for those things You bring to my attention, and allowing You to guide my words and my heart.  In Jesus’ precious name, amen.”

Pray without ceasing.

1. G4342 - proskartereō - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g4342/niv/mgnt/0-1/

2. G1127 - grēgoreō - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1127/niv/mgnt/0-1/

3. G2169 - eucharistia - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g2169/niv/mgnt/0-1/

Are You Willing to Trust God?

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

Trust is hard.  It requires us to step out of our comfort zones, to relinquish control, to place our confidence in something or Someone other than us. 

Remember when our kids were little, and they were determined to do something themselves?  They were convinced they knew how, that they were strong enough, that they didn’t need help.  But the result was a big mess and frustration and tears because nothing turned out the way they expected or wanted.  They didn’t have the foresight, the strength, or the experience to really handle the task.

When it comes to our sons and daughters, we want to know they’re okay.  We want to be able to rest, with full assurance that they are making the right choices, befriending the right people, and living in a way that pleases the Lord.   Yet they’re out of our homes (most of them, anyway), living on their own and conducting their own affairs with (likely) little thought for us.  As a parent, that’s a hard change.  We invested so much into them, it’s difficult to let go and not be involved.  Oh, we talk, we visit, but we don’t do daily life with them anymore.  We’re not sitting down to dinner asking, “How was school today?”.  Life with adult children is different.  And for parents, it pulls us (sometimes kicking and screaming) into a whole new level of trusting God for their care and protection.

When they were little, we had a false sense of control over their well-being.  I think that is God’s grace to young parents.  But as our sons and daughters grow and become more independent and begin spending more and more time apart from us, our parental ability to have a hand on everything diminishes…and almost disappears.  If we’re honest, we like to be in control, and it is hard to relinquish that role.  We like having things go the way we planned or the way we imagine it will work out.  But then we get disappointed or upset, annoyed, or pouty when it does not.  (our children get it honestly, no?) Sometimes we even push back to others around us… perhaps even to our now adult children, trying to align everything with our ways and wishes once again.

It is then we realize our role as parents is changing, whether we like it or not.  If we try to maintain the status quo of their toddler or primary years, we upset the equilibrium of relationships and communication.  We can’t keep them little, and we can’t control their choices.  We have to let go and trust God.

It's time we ask ourselves some important questions:

• Do I love God more than I love (name of son or daughter)

• Am I willing to release my grip on (name) in order to allow God to work in their life?

• What if God takes (name) to the other side of the world?  Will I support and pray for them or will I resist God’s plan and fight for my own will?

• What if they experience grief or hardship- will I consume my thoughts with ‘me’ - what could I have done differently to prevent this? Or will I point them to Christ and encourage their faith and trust in His sovereignty?

• Am I living out an example of trusting God to my sons and daughters?

It’s tempting to be God’s GPS, telling Him where He’s going and guiding His turns for our lives.  We’re quick to yell out “Wrong Turn!” and tell God that’s not where He wants to take us.  But what if it is?  What if God asks you to give up something you love dearly (a job, a home, a ministry, a relationship) because He is leading you (or your son or daughter) to something else?

Our lives would be fairly dismal if we were left to design our own future because, we can all admit, we are so limited in our humanness.  We don’t have the power, the creativity, the sovereignty to design our own destiny, nor to protect and administrate our daily lives.  We are fallen, needy children.  Yet God loves us so very much He’s planned our life, long before we were ever born.  He’s orchestrated all of the locations, experiences, people, and lessons to align with His perfect will.  We all could share story after story of things that we would not have chosen for ourselves or our family but that God used to bring growth, blessing, and joy. He is a good Father and He cares for His children.

God asks us to trust Him.  That word, trust, is the same as the word believe, ‘pisteuo’ in Greek.  It means, “to have faith, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ): believe, commit.”  It goes further to mean, “to think to be true; to be persuaded of; to place confidence in.” (1)

So there is one more question that begs to be asked:

• Who are you trusting?

Are you trusting in yourself and your ability to orchestrate things?  Are you trusting in the strength of your family to ensure your sons and daughters will do what is right?  If you are, friend, you are on your way to a difficult and painful awakening.  “Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.”  2 John 1:9  Are you living like you’re abiding or like you don’t have God at all?

God asks us to trust Him because He knows what is best.  He knows the beginning from the end and with that in mind, He orchestrates our life with all of its twists and turns, gains and losses, and joys and hardships.  He has the end in mind- whereas we only see today.

And if we trust Him, He promises hope, joy and peace.  Hope overflowing by the power of the Holy Spirit will only be enjoyed when we abide in Christ.  So let’s give up our aspirations of being God’s gps.  Let’s let Him be in the driver’s seat while we sit back and trust that He’s more than capable of managing our life and that of our sons and daughters.  Trust.  It is what God asks us to do daily.  Will you trust Him today?

“Father, I confess I struggle with wanting to control things.  I let fear and anxiety take over and in my effort to control them, I try and control others.  Forgive me, Lord.  Speak to my heart tonight.   Help me to abide in You.  I pray that You would give me a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit so that my thoughts, desires, actions and word reflect Jesus and not my sinful, fallen nature.  Lord, I pray that my sons and daughters would see me trusting You so that my life would be an example of peace, joy, and overflowing hope that can only come from You.  Lord, work in (name)’s heart and life.  Help them to trust You, too.  Remind them that You are their good Father and You desire to prosper them, not harm them.  Give them strength to trust even when it doesn’t make sense to our limited human understanding.  I pray that You would be glorified and Christ be praised, in Jesus’ name, amen.

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still
And with all who will trust and obey

Trust and obey, for there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey (2)

Pray without ceasing.

1.      G4100 - pisteuō - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g4100/niv/mgnt/0-1/

2.     Sammis, J. H. (n.d.). Hymn: Trust and obey. =. https://hymnary.org/text/when_we_walk_with_the_lord

How Should We Pray?

“My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.  I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.”  Colossians 2:2-4

The way we pray matters. What we pray matters. The apostle Paul understood that and wrote encouragement to the Colossians so they would stay focused on what would protect and grow their faith.

When we pray for our sons and daughters, we pray for their health and well-being.  We pray for safety and provision.  But how often do we pray for their growth and discernment?  Do we pray for the protection of their mind and for a deepening of their knowledge and understanding?  Those are things we cannot see, but which have significant impact on the spiritual health of the believer.

Scripture tells us that the mind is the deceiver's biggest battleground.  If Satan can capture our thoughts, the rest will follow.

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12

Satan hates that we have redemption and eternal life in Jesus Christ.  He hates our Savior.  He hates light.  He hates truth.  He wants to lure believers to dwell in darkness and in ignorance of Who Christ is, what He has done and in misunderstanding of truth.  Do you see how he twists things?  What is good is deemed evil and what is evil is celebrated (isaiah 5:20).

So how can we pray more effectively for our sons and daughters?  How can we begin to fight for their spiritual protection and growth? We can start by gaining a better understanding of Scripture and then praying those very words on their behalf.  Scripture is powerful and effective and it can accomplish more than our minds can comprehend. 

Let’s look at what Paul is praying for the Colossians.

• He prays they would be encouraged in heart:

  Paul knew the value of being in fellowship with other believers.  The Greek word for ‘encouraged’ is parakaleo and it means to come alongside another, to comfort, exhort, pray for another (1).  The Holy Spirit is called the ‘paraklete’ and is our supporter and comforter (John 14:26).  And so believers have that role for one another- to build each other up and provide encouragement.   Pray for fellowship with other believers.

• He instructs them that true encouragement must be united, or knit together in love- agape. 

  The term ‘knit together’ is the Greek word symbibazo and it means to “to join together, unite or knit together in affection”(2).  When we truly care for one another we want the best for each other.  It’s hard to find deep connections with someone for whom you don’t get along or with whom you have nothing in common.  But believers have faith in Christ in common- God has made us brothers and sisters in Christ!  We are family and we are driven together by the love of God.  That connection sustains and encourages us as we continue our walk of faith.  Pray for authentic love among believers.

• He longs for them to have full riches of complete understanding:

  It’s important that we pray that our sons and daughters have assurance that their faith in Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life and confidence that there is no other belief system, path, or alternate ‘wisdom’ that can bring redemption and eternal life.

  The Greek word plerophoria is the word used for understanding and it means “full assurance and the most certain confidence (3). Let’s pray that our sons and daughters have confidence in their understanding of Scripture and in their faith and conviction that Jesus is Lord.

• Paul stresses that the Colossians would know Christ- the Source of all wisdom and knowledge. 

  We don’t want our sons and daughters to just know about Christ, we want them to KNOW Him.  We want them to experience Him in their life.  We want them to pursue a personal relationship with Him so that they will comprehend the riches of wisdom and knowledge that are found in Him.  We don’t want them to just have knowledge.  Even Satan has knowledge, but he is doomed.  Even demons believe and shudder at the Truth of Jesus.  No, we want our sons and daughters to have true knowledge.  There is a difference in the original language.  Knowledge is the word gnosis and it means intelligence and understanding(4).  But true knowledge is the word epignosis and it means precise and correct knowledge(5).  It means one is believing and understanding what is proven to be true, correct, and in line with evidence.  It is knowledge that changes how someone lives.

“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ--to the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:9-11

• Finally, pray for protection against deception.

  Pray that our sons and daughters would have deep understanding and knowledge of Scripture and their faithful walk with Christ and fellowship with believers would guard them against deception.  There is much out there that sounds good but is founded in lies.  There are people who have knowledge of Scripture (gnosis) without the epignosis of faith in Jesus and the teaching and guidance of the Holy Spirit.  The messaging that our sons and daughters are encountering daily would try to sway them to compromise their faith, lower their standards, be accepting of sin and open-minded to other ‘pathways’ to God.  In the last days the deception will be so strong that, if possible, even the elect would be deceived (Matthew 24:24). Friends, we are there. The presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives and a correct knowledge of Jesus is the protection they need.

The enemy wants our sons and daughters.  There is no question about that.  We need to pray that they would be strong in their faith, solid in their understanding of Scripture, and rooted in fellowship with other believers. We are in a war- be on guard and use the armor of God to fight against the enemy.

“Father, I pray for (name) today.  Build them up in their faith and knowledge of Jesus.  Sanctify them by Your truth- Your Word is Truth (John 17:17).  Lead them into a vibrant fellowship with other believers that is grounded in correct truth and solid teaching.  Lord, they NEED You, though they may not always recognize that.  I pray that You would open their eyes and hearts to the full riches of complete understanding.  Keep them from sin.  Guard them from compromise.  Help them to stand steadfast in their faith.  Guide them into Your truth and don’t let them walk away from it.  Lord, we are in dark days and at some point soon, we may all have to stand boldly in the face of persecution- give us strength and conviction, Lord.  Build up the family of believers so that we would encourage one another in love and faithfulness, In Jesus’s name I pray, amen.”

Pray without ceasing.

1. G3870 - parakaleō - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g3870/niv/mgnt/0-1/

2. G4822 - symbibazō - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g4822/niv/mgnt/0-1/

3. G4136 - plērophoria - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g4136/niv/mgnt/0-1/

4. G1108 - gnōsis - Strong's Greek Lexicon (kjv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1108/kjv/tr/0-1/ 

5. G1922 - epignōsis - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1922/niv/mgnt/0-1/ 

Building a Godly Life

A rite of passage for young adults is moving out of their parent’s home and into their own place.  We all know it’s coming someday, but when the day arrives, it’s bittersweet because for us as parents, it marks the end of a season.  We step away from the ‘active parenting role’ and into the unfamiliar territory of parenting an adult.  We no longer tell them what to do or how to do it (but if they ask, we’re happy to share).  Our own agenda, calendar, and priorities are no longer the guidepost for their days and cannot dictate what they do, where they go, and when they interact with us or others.  We can (and do) offer wisdom and guidance, but their decision making is their own.  They have a job and they’re building a home and a life.  It is important that we respect their adulthood while still offering wise words in discerning ways at appropriate times.  (Oh that there was a manual for this stage!)

And though we won’t hear the laughter coming from their room or enjoy the unexpected conversations when they walk in and plop on the sofa at the end of the day, telling us all about their day, we’ll still enjoy the relationship.  The conversations will unfold differently and, perhaps more deeply.  The relationship shifts from the parent caring for a dependent child to that of a parent encouraging an adult son or daughter (note, we didn’t use the word ‘child’).  And, of course, we will keep praying…always.  Because, although they’re no longer occupying our house, they’ll never stop occupying our heart.

We recently launched our youngest into her own place. When she moved out of our home, we gave her the things we no longer needed or wanted.  She furnished her home with second-hand furniture, thrift store finds and things collected from family and friends.  Often, our sons and daughters have an idea of how they want their space to ‘look’ and they pay a lot of attention to that.  But the more important thing is the foundation of their life- how does that look? Is it solid? Does it fit a life that is Biblically sound?

Building a life requires wisdom (we know that young adults have some wisdom…but wisdom comes with years and experience…they’ll figure that out at some point).  As much as we help them find the physical items they need for their home, the spiritual aspects are even more vital as they live as independent adults. Our job now, as parents and mentors, is to pray intentionally that the home and life they build is one founded on Godly wisdom and truth.

“By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.”  Proverbs 24:3-4 

The following are prayer points that we can pray for our sons and daughters as they establish themselves in adulthood (and in the new neighborhood)

1. Pray that they are intentional to spend time in God’s Word daily- reading, learning, gaining wisdom and knowledge.

“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.”  Philippians 1:9-11

2. Pray that they would have spiritual discernment and always look to the Lord for wisdom and protection.

“But my eyes are fixed on you, O sovereign Lord; in You I take refuge- do not give me over to death.  Keep me from the snares they have laid for me, from the traps set by evildoers.  Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by insafety. “  

Psalm 141:8-10

3. Pray that they find a good church in which to settle, learn, grow and have fellowship and accountability.  It’s easy to drift away from the habit of going to church.  

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”  Hebrews 10:24-25

4. Pray that their friendships and any spouse-potential relationship would be God-honoring, that those they surround themselves with, spend time with, and whom they allow to build into their life would be Christ-followers who desire to please God more than anyone else.

“I am a companion of all who fear you, of those who keep your precepts.” Psalm 119:63

5. Then, let’s pray over them daily, that the Lord would guide their steps, protect them from harm and from those who would deceive them, and provide for them both physically and spiritually.  Pray that they would desire more of Him and would see His hand in their life.

“Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight.” Psalm 119:35

“Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.” Psalm 119:133

Today, let’s pray Psalm 121 over our sons and daughters:

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip—
    he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
    will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord watches over you—
    the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
    nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm—
    he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going
    both now and forevermore.”

Pray without ceasing

God Gives Good Things

“Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” Psalm 107:8-9 

Recently, while I was driving home, I pulled up to a stop sign.  There, on the far right corner was a lady walking her large pit bull in a harness.  The dog was pulling and straining and having fits as she looked across the street.  When I looked over, there was a mail carrier on the far left corner, messenger bag and pith helmet in place.  I thought, “Oh my, what those poor mail carriers have to contend with…he’s just trying to do his job.” 

I wondered if he would cross to the opposite corner before going on his way, but no, he didn’t.  That mail carrier stepped into the crosswalk and walked right toward the lady and her dog.  The closer he got, the more the dog strained and pulled and then I noticed, the dog was wiggling, wagging her tail and honestly, she smiled.  That assumedly “vicious dog” was eager to see her mail carrier friend and he was just as glad to see her! 

The mail carrier pulled out a dog treat from his bag and the pup eagerly ate it up.  There was no aggression, no fierce bark or growl.  The dog knew the mail carrier brought good things and she waited with anticipation until they met and ‘talked’.  And here’s the thing, the dog wasn’t at all bothered by how others might view her or the assumptions they held…she only had eyes for that mail carrier.  She knew he valued her and she’d be getting a treat as soon as he came near.  They trusted one another and enjoyed their impromptu meeting on the corner.

It made me think about we look to Jesus, or rather, how we should look to Him.  Do we see Him and get excited to talk to Him because He brings good things?  Or are we bothered about what others might think of us, of our affection for and commitment to Jesus.  Are we “all in”, knowing all that matters is how God sees us and that He wants fellowship with us?  Jesus sees our heart.  He knows our value.  He embraces us as His beloved child for whom He gave His life.  He’s not bothered by those looking on, He only has eyes for us- His beloved. He desires good for us.  And He longs that we would be excited to spend time with Him.  

God didn’t create us to be ‘religious’, to check the boxes and go through the motions.  He created us to enjoy a relationship with Him, to worship and adore Him and to enjoy all the benefits of knowing God personally. He wants us to desire to see Him, talk to Him, move closer and enjoy fellowship. He desires that we would trust Him and rely on Him for those good things.

Oh that our sons and daughters would be excited to wake up and talk to God!!  Imagine if their eyes would light up at the mention of Him!  Let’s pray that our sons and daughters take time with Jesus today because they’re excited to talk to Him.  Pray that they would look for the good things He promises and to respond to Him with joy!  Then, let’s lead by example!  Spend time enjoying the Presence of your Savior today.  Sit with Him, listen, worship, praise His name.  

Pray without ceasing.

The Ultimate Desire

Fellowship with God is the core desire that we were designed to experience and pursue.  It is the deepest longing and need we will ever know-whether or not we choose to acknowledge that fact.  We experience this longing because God has set eternity in the hearts of men (Ecclesiastes 3:11) and that will always stir a deep desire for something more than this world can give us…it’s the desire for more of Him, more of His Presence and more of His peace.  

But that we recognize it as a longing for God isn’t guaranteed.  Too often we strive to fill that longing with inadequate substitutes that cannot satisfy our hearts, our souls, and we struggle because of it.  We wrestle with restlessness.  We wander trying to find our purpose.  We pursue the ‘next thing’ assuring ourselves that will be the answer.  We continue to pursue temporal things to fill that God-desire in us, Even believers are duped into the deception of the futile pursuit of satisfaction by other means.  

Before we came to know Jesus as our Lord and Savior, “we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world” Galatians 4:3.  But when we confessed with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believed in our heart that God raised Him from the dead, we moved from eternal death to eternal life (Romans 10:9).  And in that confession and belief, something in our heart, mind, and spirit changed.  God placed His Spirit in us.  “Because you are His sons, God sent the Spirit of His son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father” Galatians 4:6.  And we began a relationship with God, unlike any we knew or experienced before.  We began to experience the fulfillment of that longing that was set in our hearts from the time God created us.

“For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb” Psalm 139:13.

God designed us to desire a relationship with Him.  Once we realize nothing else fills us and completes us like Jesus can and does, we are compelled to pursue more of Him.  But if we turn back and pursue other means to fill that longing, our spirit still cries out for our Abba Father. We cannot run from it.

The world tells us to pursue what will fill us and make us happy.  The job.  The relationship.  The ‘things’.  Renovate, redecorate, relocate.  Move up, move out, move on.  But what the world offers will never fulfill that eternal longing, because the world doesn’t possess the means, power, and resources to fill what only God can.  “For this world in its present form is passing away” 1 Corinthians 7:29. 

This is Satan’s biggest lie- that we can satisfy the longing of our hearts with the things of this world- lesser things, things that are not God.  And when we pursue that, we are dissatisfied, frustrated, and disillusioned. The result is that we often turn and rail at God because we are unhappy, lost, hurting, and unfulfilled. We blame Him for our discontent when we’ve tried to soothe it with everything but Him. 

HE is all we need.  ALL we need.  Any attempt to fill ourselves with anything else will always result in frustration and emptiness. 

“The Lord knows the thoughts of man; He knows that they are futile” Psalm 94:11.

So, how can we fulfill that desire?  Read Colossians 1: 9-12

“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.”

Take Action:

1. Be filled with the knowledge of His will- study His word and get to know it.  The more we read Scripture, the more it sinks deeply into our heart, soul, and mind.  We must allow our spirit to run freely in the environment it was created to- in the Presence of the Most High God.  Our spirit cannot thrive when it’s seeking life from a source that is spiritually malnourished or empty of the things of God.  

2. Cultivate spiritual wisdom.  This comes when we spend consistent time in God’s word (see #1) and we begin to grow ‘smart’ in the things of Scripture.  Our heart and head align in the context of the wisdom of God because we are saturating our mind with truth.

3. Desire and pursue understanding.  The word ‘understanding’ in Greek is ‘synesis’ and it means “a mental putting together” (1).  In other words, when we understand, we begin to perceive and interpret correctly; we connect the precepts, truths, and council of Scripture and understand how God reveals Himself through it.  We begin to see how Scripture supports itself.  God’s word never returns void (Isaiah 55:11).

4. Live a life worthy of the Lord.  We have to make the conscious choice to put ourselves aside and live for Him.  If we are forever pursuing our own happiness, we will be exhausted in the pursuit- it’s a perpetual cycle that goes nowhere and achieves nothing of eternal satisfaction.  We will continue to be dissatisfied, disillusioned and unfulfilled.  We must seek Him.  “But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.”  Deuteronomy 4:29

“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:6

Who or what are we allowing to govern our mind?  Pursue life.  Pursue Peace.  Pursue Jesus.  Sit at His feet.  Let Him speak into your soul.  Live for Him and allow Him to fill that which is lacking in you.  You will know a deep satisfaction and a fellowship like no other.  You will be filled.  

”Whom have I in heaven but you?
    And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
    but God is the strength of my heart
    and my portion forever.”

Psalm 73:25-26

Take time in prayer that God would fill you with a desire for more of Him and would guide you in pursuit of that relationship. Then, pray for others to do the same.  Pray for your family, your sons and daughters.  Pray for your loved ones.  Pray for your church and the global church at large.  Pray for those in ministry.  Satan wants nothing more than to have God’s people seeking that which will not satisfy and living in frustration because God isn’t fulfilling their misdirected desires.

Prayer is never pointless and it brings us to the Throne of the One who can effect change and bring all things under His Lordship where we can delight in fellowship with the One who made us.  

Pray without ceasing.

1. G4907 - synesis - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g4907/niv/mgnt/0-1/

2. G2556 - kakos - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g2556/niv/mgnt/0-1/

Pray for Sharpening

It was always my father’s job to cut the meat, whether it be the Thanksgiving turkey or the Sunday roast.  I remember how he would open the knife drawer and look through, pushing some aside looking for ‘that one’ that would do the job. 

There were knives in the drawer that were the favorites and then there were those that were hardly ever used.  The former had a nice blade, the latter was dull and almost useless.  Dad would pull out a knife and inspect the blade. Then, if his chosen knife needed to be sharpened, he would take hold of the long wand-like tool that was textured and rough.  It sat in the drawer alongside all of the knives.  

As I watched him, Dad would swipe the blade of the knife back and forth along the sharpening tool, both sides, up and down, back and forth.  It would make a scraping sound that was rhythmic and musical and it required that he was attentive to the process.  The friction and abrasion of the knife edge against the rough, textured tool made the knife sharp and ready.  Once he was finished, the knife was sharper than ever and ready to use.  He would give it a quick polish and then set into the carving of the meat.  

The knife sharpening rod went back into the drawer.  Interestingly, though the rod always stayed in there with all of the knives, proximity to the sharpener did not mean all the knives remained sharp.  It was only when a knife interacted with the rod that the knife experienced sharpening and was ready for the task it was created to do.  Proverbs 27:17 “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” Iron only sharpens iron when there is friction and different textures or edges interact with each other to refine and define one another. If the items are identical, sharpening won’t occur.

If we surround ourselves with people who only agree with us, who think alike all the time, who don’t challenge us, guess what?  We become dull, myopic, and insular.  If we’re honest, we can become selfish, thinking that our way is the right way because everyone around us thinks so too.  If we’re not challenged at all, we lose our sharpness.  But when we encounter those who think differently, who may worship differently, who stretch us to think about why we believe what we do, we are ‘sharpened’.  The friction wears down the parts of us that would cause us to be dull and ineffective and sharpens the edges of our resolve and conviction.  No, it isn’t pleasant, but the alternative is even less appealing because it alludes to spiritual dullness. It doesn’t mean we become like the other…the knife didn’t become the sharpening rod. But instead, it became a better version of what it was created to be.

As parents, we don’t like to see our sons and daughters experiencing discomfort or pain.  We don’t enjoy seeing them face difficult things.  Our ‘momma heart’ aches to see them struggle.  Our natural reaction might be to try and ease the situation, soothe the irritation, or fix the problem.  Yet, would we interfere with God’s work in their life?  Consider this, that friction, discomfort and irritation they are experiencing might be God’s way of smoothing out their rough edges.  It might be God’s brake pedal, slowing them down so they don’t rush into something that is not His will or giving them space so they can hear His voice and see His hand.  Maybe God needs to soften their heart and sharpen their mind so they are ready for what He brings next.  Godly friction can bring rewards.

Let’s pray for some sharpening friction in the lives of our sons and daughters.  Let’s pray that they can have perspective on the process and gratitude that the Lord is preparing them for what’s next.  And let’s pray that we, as parents, have perspective too- not feeling the urge to step in and fix it, but to pray that God uses it for their good and for His glory.

“Father, I pray for (name) today.  I know things are difficult…or maybe soon will be.  Give (name) strength to endure and perspective to understand that You are enthroned as the Holy One (Ps. 22:3) and that You use difficult circumstances and people to refine us and sharpen us.  No one, no thing, no event, or authority can interfere with Your plan and purpose, nor will it ever be out of Your control.  That’s a comfort, Lord.” 

“I pray for sharpening in (name)’s life.  I pray that You would bring people and events into their life that would stretch them, teach them, and make them more like Christ. Refine them to be what You created them to be.  Challenge their thinking, Lord, so that they know what they believe and why.  Sharpen them so they would live their faith with conviction, regardless of the responses or reactions of those around them.  Lord, let them be a ‘sharp knife’ that is willing to experience friction because they know it prepares them for what You are calling them to do.  Don’t let them sit dull and idle, unusable because they’re unwilling to be sharpened. Let (name) crave Your sharpening because they know it will equip them to be used in effective ways to accomplish Your will for their good and Your glory.  In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Pray without ceasing.

Praying for Evidence

Just because someone says something is true, does not make it so.  Anyone can make a claim, but without evidence, it’s just that, a claim, the proof remains to be seen.  That’s where evidence comes in.  Evidence is what backs up a claim and proves it to be true. We see this in the process of a legal trial.  Any claim brought in court must be backed up by evidence or it’s dismissed for failure to prove its truth.  The judge looks for the burden of truth.

Here’s another way to look at it.  We may say that we believe in the power of exercise.  We can follow ‘all the influencers’.  We can save insta-videos and articles.  We can talk the talk, but if we don’t actually exercise, there is no evidence that it’s working a change in us.  When others watch us, they won’t see us out walking, lifting, running, or stretching.  Our claim in the life-changing power of exercise in our life and our belief that it works is just that, a claim.  There is no evidence if we don’t live it out.  Our words are unsupported. 

3 John 1:4 “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”

As parents, we feel the weight of wanting our sons and daughters to have a genuine walk with the Lord, fully surrendered and obedient to Him.  We want those whom we love and treasure to not just know about Jesus, but to have a life-changing relationship with Him.  And a life that is surrendered will be a life that produces evidence of Who they worship and follow, of Who they prioritize and desire to please.  We long to see evidence and know with assurance that the burden of proof is present and their eternity is secure.

Matthew 7:7 “Ask, and it will be given to you;”  

That word, ‘ask’, is the word ‘aiteo’ in Greek and it means to “ask, beg, call for, crave, desire, require.” 1

We need to ask the Lord- beg, call for, crave, desire and require- that He would let the life of our loved one exhibit the fruit of a sincere and active relationship with Him.  If we’ve raised our sons and daughters in the knowledge of the Lord, teaching them Scriptural truth in the power and Presence of God, the saving grace and mercy of Jesus Christ, the effective advocacy and teaching of the Holy Spirit, they know.  They know.  They have the words to speak…But knowledge is not evidence of the working of Christ in their heart and mind.  Life-changing faith is manifested in everything we say AND do'; it is the evidence of the change and the proof that backs up the claim that we are changed and that we follow Christ.

James 2:14 “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?”

Deeds won’t save us.  By themselves, they are an empty effort to prove ourselves worthy. If we pursue and rely on good deeds, alone, we make ourselves our own god - trying to effect our salvation through our good works.  But deeds, supported by our faith in Christ, are evidence that our life is changed, that it’s surrendered to and guided by Someone greater than we. We’re not doing good deeds for our own benefit, but because we are compelled by the love of Christ toward others. We can’t not do what God compels us to…and we find joy in it!

Hebrews 11:17-19 “By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.”  

Abraham was willing to obey God in whatever God asked of him, because He knew God.  He trusted Him.  He believed that if God asked him to do it, there was reason for it and God would redeem it in ways only He could and for His glory. Abraham saw evidence of God’s goodness and faithfulness in his life that bolstered his faith and gave him confidence that God’s promises were not just a claim, but were true and faithful. And Abraham’s obedience wasn’t in word only.  His actions provided evidence for the faith he claimed.  His actions were the proclamation.  Abraham set an example for all of us in faith and obedience.

James 2:21-22  “Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.”

Today, let’s begin praying that the Lord would reveal evidence of the faith of our children.  Pray that their faith would truly be their own, not just what they’ve been taught and what they’ve heard.  Pray they would give of themselves to be the hands and feet of Jesus to others.  And pray that they would not just have head knowledge, but that their understanding of Scripture and their experience of God’s faithfulness in their life would transform their life and would be evident to those around them.  

“Heavenly Father, oh how I want to see evidence of (name)’s faith.  I ask, not because I’m deserving, Lord, but because I crave to see that (name) is authentically following after You.  I yearn to see genuine fruit showing others that they know You, not just because it is what we taught them, but because it is what they believe themselves.” 

“Strengthen (name) with deep conviction to be obedient to You when You ask them to do hard things. Increase their faith to trust You without wavering.  Open (name)’s eyes to see what You are doing, how you are protecting and providing, and how You are answering their prayers, even those unspoken. Father, I pray they would have the faith of Abraham, the love of God as David did, nurture in them the fervent heart of Hannah and the boldness of Abigail.  Lord, You provided so many examples of faith- may (name) be someone You would write about whose faith would be evidence through their actions, choices, and words and who would inspire others to follow Jesus in the midst of this dark world.  In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.”

Pray without ceasing.

1. G154 - aiteō - Strong's Greek Lexicon (esv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g154/esv/mgnt/0-1/

When the Weight of Your Thoughts Overwhelms You

We all know that feeling we get when things become too much.  Whether the grief is bubbling to the surface, and we can’t hold it in, or the weight of worry is burying us under layers of concern and we feel like we’re going to suffocate, we feel the weight.  When the dark thoughts creep in it’s hard to fight against the tide that seems to be too strong to turn.   The worry and anxiety do not just set the tone for our day, they can consume it.  So how do we fight it?  And how can we encourage those we love in helpful ways that will point them to Christ in the struggle to manage the overwhelm?

Psalm 94:19 gives us some guidance; check out these three translations:

“When anxiety was great within me, Your consolation brought me joy.” (NIV)

“In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul” (NKJV)

“When the cares of my heart are many, Your consolations cheer my soul.” (ESV)

Did you see it?  WE can’t change anything…but God CAN and He WILL!!

The word anxiety (cares) comes from the Hebrew the word “sarapin” and means “disquieting thoughts.” 1  We’ve all experienced those, haven’t we?

Whether it’s worry over our kids, concern over a situation that feels out of control, fear of the unknown or grief over recent news, our hearts can only withstand so much. When we’re overwhelmed, our minds spin and build upon what is already present. It marinates. It festers.  It distracts us from God and steals our peace. It’s not how God wants us to live.

When our thoughts battle against one another or against our peace of mind and heart, that is what Hebrew calls “sarapin”.  The word “sarapin” stems from the root word “səipa” which means “ambivalence, division, or divided opinion.”2  And when we give space to those anxious thoughts, they can begin to consume us and distract our mind and heart from focusing on and trusting in God.

But God has a remedy for the confusion and division.  Notice…GOD has the remedy.  As much as we might try, we don’t have the power to will ourselves to be comforted.  But God does!

His consolation or comfort is present and available to us.  The Hebrew word “tanhumot” means “compassion or solace.”3  and that word comes from the word “naham” which means “to take a deep breath and be comforted.”4  

Remember when our children would cry, sob with ragged breaths and sniff back the tears?  We would gather them in, sweep the hair out of their eyes and gently rub their back or arm.  Oftentimes we would gently tell them, “just breathe” and we could see them begin to settle and grow calm. Friends, that’s what our Heavenly Father tells us, too, “Just breathe.  Rest in My strength.  Lean into Me and find comfort and solace.  My comforts can delight and cheer your very soul.”  Why is it that we resist?  Why do we think we have to settle our hearts in our own strength?

If we invite Him to, God settles and smooths our thoughts and our heart so that our troubled minds can be calmed and rest.  He longs to give us joy, delight, and cheer!  And what better way to demonstrate to others that we have the joy of the Lord?!

Today, take time to pray and pour out your heart to the Lord.  Tell Him all the things that are weighing you down.  He can bear the load- nothing is too much for Him.  Be honest about your fears and your anger, your hurt and confusion.  Lean into Him and let Him comfort you.  He can and He will.

Then, take time to read the Psalms, maybe listen to some praise and worship music. Just sit and be still. God has abundant comfort for our needs, we only need sit at His feet and ask.

Pray without ceasing.

1.      H8312 - śarʿapîm - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (kjv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h8312/kjv/wlc/0-1/

2.      H5587 - sᵊʿipâ - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (kjv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h5587/kjv/wlc/0-1/

3.      H8575 - tanḥûmôṯ - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (kjv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h8575/kjv/wlc/0-1/

4.      H5162 - nāḥam - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (kjv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h5162/kjv/wlc/0-1/

Who is Jesus to Our Sons and Daughters?

Any parent who loves Jesus has a strong desire to see their sons and daughters do the same and follow after Him faithfully.  We want to know that they don’t just have a head knowledge of Christ, but they’re pursuing a living, growing relationship with Him, one in which they talk to Him, listen to Him, read His Word, and desire to do His will.

But really, have we stopped to ask who Jesus is to them?  Is He someone they know about or someone they know personally?  Is He a figure in history or is He a prominent figure in their personal life?  Are they compelled to follow, or do they sit idly by?  Is their heart burdened to obey or are they pursuing other things?

We can’t require their allegiance to the Lord, especially if they are adults, we cannot manage their faith for them.  They have to make that choice and commitment.  They must choose to follow and walk in obedience.  It’s between Him and them.

So today, and every day, we pray.  We pray a lot.

The following are scriptures and prayer points to pray over our sons and daughters daily.  Though the posts on this blog may change, the need for and importance of prayer on these points does not. 

Pray fervently, regularly, and with hope.  God isn’t done working!

Pray that they recognize the Truth and follow Jesus.

1 John 2:4 “If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn't obey God's commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him.  Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.”

Pray that they would value their relationship with Jesus more than anything and choose Him above anything else.

Philippians 3:7-8 “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.  What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.”

Pray that they would grow and mature in Christ.

Philippians 1:9-11 “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ - to the glory and praise of God.”

Pray for their spiritual protection.

Psalm 91 

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”

Surely He will save you
    from the fowler’s snare
    and from the deadly pestilence. 

He will cover you with his feathers,
    and under his wings you will find refuge;
    His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

You will not fear the terror of night,
  nor the arrow that flies by day, 

nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
    nor the plague that destroys at midday. 

A thousand may fall at your side,
    ten thousand at your right hand,
    but it will not come near you.

You will only observe with your eyes
    and see the punishment of the wicked.

If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
    and you make the Most High your dwelling,

no harm will overtake you,
    no disaster will come near your tent. 

For he will command his angels concerning you
    to guard you in all your ways;

they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
    you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
    I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

He will call on me, and I will answer him;
    I will be with him in trouble,
    I will deliver him and honor him.

With long life I will satisfy him
    and show him my salvation.”

Pray that their life, lived in obedience to Christ, would be an ever-speaking testimony of the gospel of salvation and the hope, joy, and peace of life in Christ

2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 “ With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Do they know Christ? 

Our prayer should be that they would truly and authentically know Him and follow after Him with their whole heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Do you know Christ?  Do you have more than just a knowledge ‘of’ Him?  Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus as your Lord and Savior?  Or are you longing for peace, joy, and hope that all seem elusive?  If this is your heart’s desire, you simply need to admit you’re a sinner and agree that Jesus’ death on the cross is the only way to receive forgiveness and eternal life.  He is the One Savior who can redeem - there is nothing too damaging, too dirty, or too deep that He cannot forgive.

1 John 1:9 “But if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness (unrighteousness).”    

“Lord, I know I’m a sinner and I need a Savior.”

“If you confess with your mouth and Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.”   Romans 10:9-10

“Jesus, I believe You died on the cross for me.  I believe You were buried and rose again to conquer death and all the power of darkness.  Please forgive me for my sins.  I surrender my heart and life to You.  Be my Lord and Savior and help me to live for You, in Jesus’ name, Amen”

Satan’s big lie is that we can be ‘good enough’ and by convincing us of that, we lay Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross aside.  We overlook His resurrection and that He conquered death …and we put ourselves in the place of God….the very lie that led Adam and Eve to eat the fruit in the garden, “You will be like God” Genesis 3:5

We have no ability to save ourselves.  But Satan wants nothing more than for us to believe that we do…because if we believe that,  then we are eternally condemned.  

But Jesus!! 

He died for our sins so we wouldn’t be condemned.  He rose from the dead to conquer death and sin and hold authority over every power, dominion, principality and authority.  He rules!   He reigns!  And we can be covered by his sacrifice and be their heirs to His eternal kingdom.  Why wouldn’t you want that?!

I’m praying for each of you who read this.  Jesus loves you dearly.  He died for you.  Will accept His gift of salvation; will you choose to surrender to His Lordship and live for Him?

If you made a decision for Christ today, I would love to hear it!!  

Pray without ceasing!

Why Pray Scripture?

It’s hard to communicate in words what lies in our hearts and what stews in our minds, isn’t it?  Sometimes we just cannot put into words the depths of our griefs and joys, the details of our worries and fears.  Oftentimes, in speaking to the God of the Universe, we realize our smallness, our limitations, our insufficiencies…and we should.  We are fragile, limited, and insufficient…but we are the children of the King!  We are sons and daughters of the Most High God and He stoops to hear us. 

Psalm 116:1-2 says “I love the LORD because He hears my voice and my prayer for mercy.  Because He bends down to listen, I will pray as long as  I have breath!” (NLT) 

God bends down to listen to us.  Just like a father would get down to listen to his little child who has a need or something to share, God leans towards us to hear what we’re asking, understand what we’re telling Him, and gives us His full attention because He loves us.

So, why should we pray Scripture?  God’s word is so complete that it can put into words what we cannot.  Speaking God’s words back to Him demonstrates we value His Word, we understand the power that it holds, and shows our submission to its authority. 

Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

Meditate on that.  God’s word is living, not dead, not antiquated, not ‘yesterday’ but alive and working.  The Greek word is ‘energes’ and means “active, working, effectual, operative, powerful” (1) The Word of God is active and powerful!  And isn’t that what we want our prayers to be?!  

Scripture is also sharp, ‘tomos’, meaning it can cut by a single stroke.  It’s not dull, requires no hacking, sawing, or repeated blows.  The double-edged sword was a prized weapon in battle because you could swing back and forth, taking out your enemies with each swing.  A sharp, double-edged sword was to be feared and could not be competed against.  Scripture imparts fear in the enemy, friends!  Our own words do little. God’s word pierces and divides.  When we pray, we want to pierce the darkness and evil, we want to divide error from truth, we want to separate those we are burdened for from the oppression and evil that would seek to bring them down.  God’s word is powerful to do that.

Scripture separates and brings distinction between things as well.  Hebrews mentions joints and marrow.  We might question, “Why did God talk about that?”  Consider what a joint does, it connects things and allows for movement.  Yet, sometimes our connections are unhealthy and our movements are in the wrong direction.  We can use scripture to pray that any movement is God-led and that our sons and daughters remain closely connected to Him.  Psalm 1:1-2 is a wonderful passage to pray: “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on His law day and night.”

But what about the marrow?  Ah, the marrow is life-generating.  We can live without joints, but we cannot live without marrow.  The Greek word for marrow is ‘myelos’ and means blood.  Marrow allows for life, generates new blood cells that fight infection, carries oxygen, and helps stop bleeding.  A bone marrow transplant can restore life.  Death of the marrow brings death to the body. 

Finally, scripture discerns the intentions of the mind and heart.  It is decisive to address each aspect of the individual’s thought life and heart attitude.  Scripture is the all-inclusive remedy to every situation, challenge, attack, and need.  Psalm 19:7-8 “The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul.  The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.  The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart.  The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.   

When we pray Scripture over our sons and daughters, we’re praying the very words of God that are effectual and life-giving, protective and sustaining.  We need to form a habit of opening our Bibles and praying back the words we read. If we do, we are praying words that are alive, active, discerning, penetrating, and effective to fight spiritual battles with the double-edged sword of scripture, battling principalities and powers that would seek to harm and destroy. We can pray a spiritual hedge of protection around our sons and daughters. We can ask that the Lord would bring other believers to encourage, challenge, and keep them accountable. Through prayer and Scripture, we have access to the Throne room of The Almighty, Great I AM, our Father, our Savior, our Friend. Scripture is so precious, we must embrace it, learn it, pray it and memorize it.

Let’s boldly pray Scripture this week, speaking God’s own words over our sons and daughters, asking Him for protection, guidance, wisdom and strength.  Psalm 25 is a great place to begin, but please, share the Scripture you’re praying!!  Let’s encourage one another as we kneel before the Throne!

Psalm 25

1 In you, Lord my God,
    I put my trust.

2 I trust in you;
    do not let me be put to shame,
    nor let my enemies triumph over me.

3 No one who hopes in you
    will ever be put to shame,
but shame will come on those
    who are treacherous without cause.

4 Show me your ways, Lord,
    teach me your paths.

5 Guide me in your truth and teach me,
    for you are God my Savior,
    and my hope is in you all day long.

6 Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love,
    for they are from of old.

7 Do not remember the sins of my youth
    and my rebellious ways;
according to your love remember me,
    for you, Lord, are good.

8 Good and upright is the Lord;
    therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.

9 He guides the humble in what is right
    and teaches them his way.

10 All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful
    toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.

11 For the sake of your name, Lord,
    forgive my iniquity, though it is great.

12 Who, then, are those who fear the Lord?
    He will instruct them in the ways they should choose.

13 They will spend their days in prosperity,
    and their descendants will inherit the land.

14 The Lord confides in those who fear him;
    he makes his covenant known to them.

15 My eyes are ever on the Lord,
    for only he will release my feet from the snare.

16 Turn to me and be gracious to me,
    for I am lonely and afflicted.

17 Relieve the troubles of my heart
    and free me from my anguish.

18 Look on my affliction and my distress
    and take away all my sins.

19 See how numerous are my enemies
    and how fiercely they hate me!

20 Guard my life and rescue me;
    do not let me be put to shame,
    for I take refuge in you.

21 May integrity and uprightness protect me,
    because my hope, Lord,[c] is in you.

22 Deliver Israel, O God,
    from all their troubles!

Pray without ceasing!

1. G1756 - energēs - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1756/niv/mgnt/0-1/

Be Sure to Leave It Where They Can Find It

“I will sing of the LORD's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.”  Psalm 89:1

When we have something important we want to give our kids, we want to leave it where they can find it, especially if we’re not going to be there to point it out.  Whether it be a special note or gift, or maybe important paperwork in the event something happens, we don’t want it to be a mystery and we don’t want to make it difficult. If it’s important, we tell them exactly where the items are so they can easily access them, why would we not?

But do we do the same with our faith?  If our kids went looking, would they easily find it?  Would they be able to quickly point out where our hope is anchored?  Or would they have to hunt for it?  

There is nothing more important than sharing our faith with our sons and daughters, nothing.  If we would be called home to heaven, what would they find as they go through our belongings?  What would they write about how we lived?  What was so evident in our lives as the most important to us?  

Let’s be intentional  about sharing our love for the Lord and the evidence of His faithfulness in our lives.  Let’s shift the paradigm of our day, our life to testify of God’s goodness and presence that redeems us and transforms us.  Let’s be sure to leave behind a legacy of faith for our sons and daughters so that the most precious thing we pass to them is faith in Jesus Christ and hope for eternity.

“Father You are faithful.  All throughout my life You’ve been present and working, even when I could not see Your hand or when I was too distracted to make you a priority.  I pray that from today onward, I would live in such a way that my sons and daughters would know that my faith in Jesus is the most precious thing I could share with them.  I pray that they will see You in me.  Lord, let there be no question about what I value and prioritize.  Don’t allow me to be distracted by the busyness of this world, the charms of what it promises but cannot deliver, or the lie that my value lies in what I accomplish.  My value lies in who I am…and who I am is a child of the Most High God.  Lord, I want my sons and daughters to embrace You fully and pursue You daily.  Help me to model that to them.  Let them see me reading Your Word.  Let them be confident that I am praying for them daily and that they can share any burden, need or request and I will take it to the Throne and intercede for them.  Help me to memorize Your word so that it becomes part of my language and the Holy Spirit can stir and pour out what I’ve committed to head and heart so that others can be encouraged.  Lord, help me to leave my faith where my kids can easily find it and help them to treasure it as they most precious thing I could pass along to them.  I pray this in Jesus’ name, amen.”

Lenten Meditations- Live Like Jesus

Philippians 2:5 "In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus."

Let’s keep on praying for believers, worldwide. We are the Church, the Body, and the Bride. How should we live in these days?

It's not about us speaking our mind, it's about us living, walking, and talking as if our relationship with Jesus is the most precious thing to us- it should be! The Church needs to have the same mindset as Jesus-
"Who made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!" Philippians 2:7-8

What do we need to die to today? What do we need to surrender to the Lord for His purposes and glory? Let's take on the role of God's servants- willingly doing what He calls us to do and finding joy in it.

Today, pray for the global body of believers that in these last days we can live like Jesus and model what it means to follow Him with our lives.

Pray without ceasing

Lenten meditations to prepare our hearts for Resurrection Day

Pray for the Body of Believers to live in genuine love.

John 13:35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

Love: agape= affection, benevolence.

By THIS. By living in and showing love everyone will know we are a Christ follower.

Not by our knowledge. Not by our music. Not by our preaching or spiritual words. Not by our approval. Not by our service. But they will know because they see the evidence of our love toward one another and toward those around us. It’s a love that’s given freely, it’s not earned. It’s not to be used as leverage, it’s poured out generously. It doesn’t ask to be reciprocal and doesn’t wait for an equal exchange. They will know that we, the Church, the Body of Christ, are His followers because our love is unlike that of this world; it is God-generated and God-sustained.

Our sons and daughters need to understand the 'basics' of what Christ calls us to...and we as parents, role models, older believers, need to live it out so that they can clearly see what Christ means by this.

“Lord, please work in the Body of Christ today so that everything we say and do is motivated by and eclipsed by Godly love. I pray that we would not show love based on how others treat us, accept us, or affirm us, but that we would love unconditionally. Help us to love the unlovely. Help us to love when it’s not the natural response we might have. Help us to love as Jesus loved so that when others see us, they really see Him. Work in Your Church today. Help us to love like You love so that others will know we are Christ followers, not by our words, but by our actions. Build up Your Church, Lord. Protect us and deepen our walk with You so that as days grow darker, we can be salt and light to show others You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

A Prayer for the Church: Let the Peace of Christ Rule

Colossians 3:15 “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”

As we anticipate the remembrance of Christ’s death and resurrection, it’s a time many often give something up to remind them of all Christ gave on our behalf. But instead of ‘going without’ why don’t we commit to praying for the Body of Believers, we who daily represent Christ to this world, those with whom we are joined as The Church and The Bride. We should pray, too, for our sons and daughters as they are members of the Body (or if they are not, they would be drawn to know Christ).

Dark days are ahead…in fact they are here and walking faithfully requires us to be intentional. Let’s immerse ourselves in Scripture that reminds us of who we are in Christ and how we are called to live as His church.

Let's commit to pray in the weeks building to Resurrection Day that God would move and work in His Church so that we would stand strong against the enemy and would uphold one another to remain faithful. Will you commit to pray too?

Colossians 3:15 “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”

The phrase "Let rule" is the word “brabeuo” in Greek and it means to arbitrate or umpire, to govern.

A question for prayer and meditation:

What are we allowing to rule in our hearts and govern our thoughts and responses?

Our Prayer point:

Pray that the Church would allow the peace of Christ to rule in our hearts individually and collectively and pray the world would see this extraordinary peace and be drawn to Christ.

Pray without ceasing