THE BATTLEFIELD OF THE MIND

Philippians 2:5 (NKJV) Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.

Let's be honest for a minute: Keeping your mind on track and focused is a difficult task.

"Stuff" happens and our minds like to wander down rabbit trails.

Like many people, I got hit hard with the "cold bug" over the last few weeks.  There were days where every part of my body hurt - even my eyeballs and my hair.  (I'm not sure if the latter is possible but it hurt to just touch my head.)

If the sickness was the only thing - that would have been fine but my mind starting going into overdrive about my life and all I could hear was the negatives getting louder and louder.  At every turn I was a failure.

I tried to push through it.  I tried to get the victory.  All I could do is sit, mope, watch TV and mope some more.  On top of that Denise and I were starting to get at each other over the littlest things.

Sound familiar?

Our mind and its imaginations get us into a lot of trouble.  This is the place where much sin abides.  It is the place of which we need to gain control.  it is a war zone of many lies.

Notice what the Bible has to say about our minds:

1 Peter 1:13 (NKJV) ¹³  Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 

The NASB Bible tells us that we need to "gird up the loins of our mind" for actions.

We can't allow our minds to become soft and flabby.

This is a vivid phrase.  In the east, men wore long flowing robes which hindered fast progress or strenuous action.  

Around their waist they wore a broad belt or girdle; and when strenuous action was necessary, they shortened the long robe by pulling it up within the belt in order to give them freedom of movement.

Peter is telling his people that they must be ready for the most strenuous mental endeavors.  They must never be content with a flabby and unexamined mind. They must set to think things out and think them through.

It may be that we will have to discard some things.  It may be that we will make mistakes.  But as we strive to have the "mind of Christ," (Philippians 2:5), our hearts and minds will be "guarded" through the power of Jesus Himself (Philippians 4:7)

V. 13 tells us that we need to rest our hope on Jesus Christ.

This is the ONLY solution for flabby and worrisome minds.  It is the ONLY solution to have good mental health.

Philippians 4:8 (NKJV) ⁸  Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. 

Our problem:  We do just the opposite.  2 Corinthians 10:5 tells us that we need to cast down vain arguments and bring every thought into the captivity of Christ.

You can beat the depression today and you can beat the "blues" that have overtaken you.

Last night my wife said something to me that really got me. She said, Where's your joy?"  She could see the negativity all over me.

I woke up this morning and decided that it's a new day and that my mind was going to be in God's hands.  "The joy of the Lord is my strength!"

I decided to move on.

I love how God speaks to the Children Of Israel.  He speaks frankly and forthrightly.  He tells them exactly how things are going.

Notice His admonition to them in the Book of Deuteronomy:

Deuteronomy 1:6 (NKJV) ⁶  "The LORD our God spoke to us in Horeb, saying: 'You have dwelt long enough at this mountain. 

That's a message from God to many of you today.  You have dwelt long enough in your negative, stinking thinking.  It's time to pick up your bags and move on.  It's time for you to get back what God intends for you to have.  It's time for you have some joy in your life again.  

God flooded my soul today and wants to flood your heart and mind also.

May God give a day of peace and joy and of a sound mind!  

Amen!

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IF YOU KNEW THAT TODAY WOULD BE YOUR LAST DAY ON EARTH?

What would you say to your family if you knew this was your last opportunity? What wise words would you attempt to give that would relate your heart and soul?

Well… In Joshua 23 - the great leader Moses was given that very opportunity to address the children of Israel.  Mostly he wanted to point to THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD.

Look at the following four verses Joshua 23: Vv. 3, 5, 10, 14

23: 3 "For the Lord your God is he that has fought for you.

23:5 you shall possess their land as the Lord your God has promised unto you.

23:10 The Lord your God, he it is that fighteth for you as he has promised.

23:14 "Not one thing has failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spoke concerning you."

I am forever amazed at the Faithfulness of God in the scriptures and in my own life.

It has been said, “A man with an experience is never at the mercy of a man with an argument.” That is so true!  By my own life - I can prove the faithfulness of God in so many ways.

Let me give you a few words that will help you understand God’s faithfulness in our lives…

1. RELIANCE

The Israelites and their leader Joshua had to rely completely on God as they traveled through the land. Every time they tried to rely on their own strength - they failed.

When they faced difficulty after difficulty - they discovered that God was always with them.

When they had reliance on God - they found out that He never let them down.

Many people start out in their Christian journey today trusting God and seeking His direction for their lives and then at some point grow careless and forget about Him. God becomes crowded out at one point or another. 

Joshua was reviewing some of the things the Lord had done over the years for them and He said, "Remember that it was the Lord who fought for you. " 

There were many battles they faced that they just couldn’t handle on their own and they needed the intervention of God in order to come out of it victoriously.

Their reliance was totally on God.

We all face difficulty and problems and we all have situations that we cannot handle.  Trusting and relying upon God is the only way to move forward.

“But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.” 2 Thessalonians‬ ‭3:3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

2. RESPONSIBILITY

Joshua reminded the people of God’s faithfulness, but there was another side to the coin. In this chapter he also reminded them of their responsibility. 

““So be very careful to follow everything Moses wrote in the Book of Instruction. Do not deviate from it, turning either to the right or to the left.” Joshua‬ ‭23:6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Not only is God for us and will lead us forward but He also expects us to be part of the equation.

He tells them to heed His word and He warned them not to become sidetracked--don’t turn to the right or to the left. What did that mean? Don’t get entangled with things that are going to pull you away from God. 

It was so easy for these people to be lured away by other gods and to fall into idolatry. He’s telling them, "Don’t be lured away from God by other things around you--people who served other gods--becoming a part of their way of life. He warned them about intermarrying with the people of the land who served other gods and he said if you enter into a relationship with them, they will become snares and traps to you to lead you away from God. They will be like a thorn in your eyes--dragging you down until you will perish from this good land.

This happens to people all the time.  They start off well only to be sidelined by their favorite sin or by some distraction along the way.

When all of these THINGS pull us to the left and to the right--taking our focus off God, we are in the same boat as the Israelites and we must consider the consequences--these temptations to pull back will become snares and traps that cause us a lot of grief just as they did the Israelites. 

It doesn’t have to be sinful horrible things--just neglect of our responsibility to "seek first the kingdom of God--and then all of these things will be added to you..." 

Remember God’s faithfulness but don’t take it for granted and just live in a slipshod way.

3. KEEP GOING

The third thing that this scripture says to us is--"Don’t turn back-Keep on moving forward."

““But if you turn away from him and cling to the customs of the survivors of these nations remaining among you, and if you intermarry with them, then know for certain that the LORD your God will no longer drive them out of your land. Instead, they will be a snare and a trap to you, a whip for your backs and thorny brambles in your eyes, and you will vanish from this good land the LORD your God has given you.” Joshua‬ ‭23:12-13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Turning back meant they would be willing to give up the promised land for the old life. You might ask, "Why would they ever do that?" One thing is that many times it is a subtle thing, we start letting up a little bit here and there. We stop taking our responsibilities seriously and making God a priority in our life. Many people who become careless in their church attendance find it is easier to stay home. Can’t get out of bed on Sunday morning--too hot, too cold, don’t like to be around people, don’t like the sermon topic--guess I’ll skip today. Won’t matter--won’t miss me anyway.

“...let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith...” Hebrews‬ ‭12:1-2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Joshua was telling the people--"God has been faithful--you’ve come a long way. But don’t forget to keep focused--Don’t let yourself become entangled and tripped up by anything. It’s your responsibility to see to it that God stays in first place in your life.“

Keep moving forward--there’s nothing in the old life to turn back to.

Joshua speaks to us today, what is he saying through this scripture? Look at these life lessons:

1. God won’t let you down. He is faithful. We can rely on this.

2. Don’t you let Him down either. We have a responsibility as a Christian.

3. Sharpen your focus and keep moving forward. There’s nothing to go back to.

May God be with your day and this week!

WHY JESUS DID WHAT HE DID

I grew up in a tradition that really celebrated the Holy Week before Easter.  During the Holy Week, We would go to church morning and evening culminating on Easter Sunday with a celebration of Easter and the resurrection.

As you study scripture, each day, the week before Easter, is filled with events that surrounded the life of Jesus.

As an example, Thursday (Passover)  is called Maundy Thursday as it commemorates the Last Supper.  Maundy comes from the Latin word “command.”  It is here that Jesus “commanded his disciples to love one another.”

“He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’ ””
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭26:18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

There are two thoughts in the words of Jesus that I want us to think about.

1- My appointed time
2- Let’s celebrate

1. My Appointed Time

Jesus said, "My appointed time is near." Jesus was talking about His death. Jesus knew that He was going to die!  He was prepared to die.

We all have an appointed time to which we are going to die and we must be prepared.

The Passover meal was given so the people of Israel would remember how God delivered them from Egyptian bondage.

For us, it is a memorial about how God delivered us from bondage also by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Observance of the Lord’s Supper helps us in life and death. It’s helps us to understand the real meaning of life and helps us to prepare for our eventual death by trusting in Christ our Savior.

2. Let's Celebrate!

Jesus said, "My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples..."

I want to zero in on the word "celebrate."

Eating time often means a celebration time for us. WE LOVE TO EAT! (At least I do).

In a real sense, mealtime is a celebration time. It’s a time of joy and hopefully, good conversation as well. 

It’s been said that a good conversation can liven up a poor meal, and a bad conversation can spoil a good meal. 

It’s nice if we have the best of both: a good meal and a good conversation. We all should try to make our meals a time of joyous celebration. We don’t need to be fighting and arguing around the meal table. We should be thankful and happy.

When Jesus said he was going to celebrate the Passover with his disciples it was to be a serious time and yet, a time of joy.

When we observe the Lord’s Supper and remember our Lord’s death on the cross it should also be a serious time and yet a time of joy. Serious, because Jesus was serious about His mission of bearing our sins in His body on the tree, serious about becoming sin for us.

And yet, it should be a time of joy. We should be utterly excited and happy about the fact that Jesus made it possible for us to go to heaven! If this isn’t good news and reason for rejoicing, I don’t know what is!

I’m not suggesting that we should hoop and holler when we partake of the Lord’s Supper, but our prayers should certainly be filled with praise and rejoicing. As in, "Thank you! Thank you! Praise you! Praise you! Bless you! Bless you! I can’t thank you enough, Lord!"

In regard to celebration, you may wonder how Jesus could consider the Passover a time of celebration, knowing that His death was just around the corner.

He could and here is why.

“Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12:2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The joy set before Him. Jesus could endure the cross with all of it’s torment and agony because He knew what was going to happen on the other side. He knew the eventual outcome of it all! 

He knew that He was going to live through it. He knew he was going to be resurrected! He knew he was going to be exalted in heaven! 

And more than anything, He knew he was purchasing our forgiveness and opening the door to heaven to us! HE COULD CELEBRATE WITH GREAT JOY BECAUSE OF THE JOY HE WAS BRINGING TO OUR LIVES!

Those who celebrate the best are those who celebrate on behalf of others. And that’s exactly what Jesus did for us. And what we must do for others. We endure many things for the sake of others! LIFE CAN AND SHOULD BE A CELEBRATION OF LIVING FOR OTHERS!

So, as you enter the next few “holy” days I want to encourage you to remember three things:

1- Remember that you must prepare for your eventual death.
2- Remember Jesus and celebrate what He has done for you. 
3- Remember that to live for Jesus means to live for others.

In doing so, you are making room for this to be the most special Holy Week and can celebrate the blessing of what and why Jesus did what He did.

DON'T BE AFRAID!

“This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”” Joshua‬ ‭1:9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

As I write this I am also looking at the news that is coming out of Brussels where two bombs went off killing 31 people and injuring over 180.  It is so sad and even discouraging.  Last year it was Paris and San Bernardino and there were mass shootings in schools in America and in some malls. The list could go on and on.

The world is crazy and getting crazier.  And sadly, much of this focused on people with Christian beliefs and faith.  It is enough to make a person fearful and afraid.

Joshua 1:9 seems to get to the core of this issue as he states “Do not be afraid or discouraged.  For the LORD your God is with wherever you go.”

These are some of the most powerful words in the Bible that gives us an assurance about today and tomorrow.

Several years ago there was a TV series called "Early Edition." It was a storyline about a young man who somehow was able to read tomorrow’s newspaper today.

In other words, he was able to know what was going to happen a day before it actually happened. 

If you knew about what would happen tomorrow - how would you react.  Would you live life in fear or would you try to do something that would remedy and help life to be better?

The fact is, none of us really know about tomorrow.  We have to trust the Lord to be with us no matter what comes our way.  We cannot live life afraid.

So how do we face tomorrow?  How do we live life without fear? What should we do?

Well, God has some answers to those questions.  Here are three things we should NOT do:

The first one is: "Don’t presume about tomorrow." Proverbs 27:1 says, "Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth."

Notice the word "boast." The Bible tells us, "Don’t go around being cocky about your plans for tomorrow or next week or next year because life is uncertain. You may not even be around that long. So don’t be presumptuous."

Secondly, he says, "Don’t panic about tomorrow." Jesus says: "Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself" (Matthew 6:34). 

Fortunately, God doesn’t reveal too much of our future life to us.  He gives it to us in increments - 24 hour days.  That’s about all we can handle.

Someone wrote, "Life by the yard is hard. Life by the inch is a cinch."

Thirdly, God says, "Don’t procrastinate until tomorrow." 

I appreciate the Living Bible rendition of Ecclesiastes 11:4. It says, "If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done."

How many among us have become procrastinators in life?

Someone wrote, "Procrastination is my sin. It only brings me sorrow. I know I ought to change my life. And I will - tomorrow."

So, these are the three things God says "Don’t do:" #1 - Don’t presume, #2 - Don’t panic, & #3 - Don’t procrastinate. 

Now, here are three things we SHOULD do: (from Joshua 1)

Here’s what was happening. God freed the children of Israel from Egyptian slavery. But because of their disobedience, they have been living in the wilderness for 40 years. 

Moses has just died, and now it is Joshua’s turn to lead the people. The older, disobedient generation is gone, and the younger generation is ready to do what God tells them to do in order to enter the Promised Land.

They are on the eastern side of the Jordan River. On the other side is the Promised Land.

Joshua knows that once they enter the Promised Land they will be facing at least 7 enemy nations. They’re strong nations with trained armies and fortified cities. And they’re far better equipped with weapons than Joshua’s young army. Is it any wonder that Joshua is uneasy about it all? Is it any wonder that he is afraid.

So God appears to him and says, "Joshua, let me tell you three things to do. And if you will do these three things, I guarantee you success." 

First, in vv. 2-3 he tells him to just go. God says, "Get ready. I want you to possess the land." So the first thing God told Joshua is, "Set my plan into motion." But before Joshua could do that, there was something else he had to do. He had to let go of the past.

God began vs. 2 by saying, "Moses my servant is dead." Moses was God’s chosen man to free the people and lead them out of Egypt. He was the one God called to the top of Mt. Sinai to receive the 10 commandments. Moses was God’s man of the ages! 

And now, Joshua has to fill his sandals. Joshua has to take his place. You can imagine the fear and trepidation Joshua must have felt.

So God comes to Joshua and says, "Joshua, listen to me. Moses is dead, but I’m not, and you’re not. I have a plan for your life, and I have a plan for your people. So let’s get on with the plan."

Vv. 10-11 tells us that Joshua got his people ready and prepared them to go forward.

So don’t presume, don’t panic, don’t procrastinate. Instead, seek God’s direction and set His plan for your life into motion.

The 2nd thing God tells Joshua to do is to "Stay in the Word." Listen to vs. 7, "Be strong and very courageous. Be very careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or the left, that you may be successful wherever you go."

God says, "Joshua, I’m guaranteeing you success if you’ll be careful to obey all the law. And the way to do that is not to turn from it either to the left or to the right." In other words, "Don’t become sidetracked." 

In vs. 8 God says, "Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful."

Did you notice? In that verse, God told Joshua 3 ways to stay in the Word. Here they are:

1. “Talk about it.” "Don’t let the Word of God depart from your mouth." It is not enough just to read the Word. We need to talk about it, discuss it, learn it.

2. Secondly, God says, "Think about it," "meditate on it day and night." 


3. Then God says, "Do it! Put it into practice." "...be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and be successful." Take the teachings and principles out into the world, and live them every day.

Someone said, "Sin will keep you from reading the Bible. But reading the Bible will keep you from sin." So don’t neglect it!

Here is the third thing God told Joshua to do: "Step out in faith." 

You have to live your life.  You can’t walk around in fear.  You have to move forward - even into the unknown.  God will lead you as you pray and ask Him for wisdom.

Notice that God tells Joshua 3x’s to not be afraid. God says to Joshua in vs. 6, "Be strong and courageous." In vs. 7, "Be strong and very courageous." And in vs. 9, "Be strong and courageous."

Then in vs. 9, God says, "Do not be afraid and do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Notice those words "terrified" and"afraid." 

These are two of Satan’s most valuable tools.

Fear will keep you in the desert. Do you realize that the Israelites could have traveled from Mt. Sinai to the Promised Land in about 3 weeks? But it actually took them 40 years getting there because they were caught in the grip of fear. But God says, "Do not be terrified and afraid." 

Yes, there are plenty of opportunities to be afraid and to walk in fear about life.  If I look at the news and headlines - I probably won’t ever leave my house.

I love what the apostle Paul said, "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:13).

Paul is saying, "I can master every circumstance that comes my way if my faith and trust is solid in Jesus Christ."

God is with me - I don’t have to be afraid.

LESSONS FROM THE DESERT

““There is no one like the God of Israel. He rides across the heavens to help you, across the skies in majestic splendor. The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you. He drives out the enemy before you; he cries out, ‘Destroy them!’” ‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭33:26-27

These are not the words of some “newbie” just spouting off nice catch phrases to make you feel good.  No, they are the words of a older man who is sharing what he has learned about God through his many years of experience in the desert.

If you read this passage carefully, if you bend and listen closely, you can almost hear the stirring words of an old man. This is not just any old man but this is a man whom God has used mightily throughout his lifetime and now he has some parting words for the people that he has walked closely with for the last forty years.

His name is Moses.

The Book Of Deuteronomy is his song.  It is the written form of what Moses wanted the people of Israel to know before he died.

His life had been marked by some times that were up and some times that were down. He had been prepared in the finest schools of the world at the time and then all of the great aspirations that the Egyptians fell apart for him.

His life was laid out before him but God had bigger plans and purposes mapped out for him.  God even used his mistakes and failures to construct God’s character in him.

God used his failure (murdering an Egyptian taskmaster) to send him into the desert for 40 years to get schooled in the School Of Hard Knocks.

There would be many lessons that he would learn in the desert but here are 3 important tests:

1- Hard times do not erase God’s promises.
2- Harsh treatment does not escape God’s notice.
3- Heavy tests do not eclipse God’s concern.

Moses’ failure turned him into a servant. The desert helped Moses to discover himself. That is often what happens to men who allow the desert to shape them. It forces us to see things within that we are not accustomed to dealing with.

Our responses to the desert often determine the success or failure of the future for us. There are generally three ways that we respond to the desert:

1- I don’t need it!
2- I’m tired of it!
3- I accept it! (This is more than just a resignation to the facts but an embracing of destiny that God has for us.)

We all have desert experiences in life.  How we treat those experiences make all the difference in your outlook of life. Consider your own “desert” and reflect on what has happened with that “desert”:

1- Those years reduced and subdued your temper.
2- Those years weaned you from the shams and setups and supposed sweetness of this world.
3- Those years gifted you with eyes and hearts to suffer the loss of this world to trade for a greater reward in heaven.

Not only did the desert seem to attempt to choke the life out of Moses but there were other circumstances that he had to endure throughout his life.

He went to the mountain and met with God. Not only would he meet with God, he would return a changed man. But personal revival does not always secure local nor national revival and this he found when he returned and found Israel dancing around a golden calf.

He had to endure the criticism of his sister and brother over his choice of a wife. Sometimes this is the most difficult criticism to have to endure, that of family. It was a day when he had to stand the disgraceful attack from his brother and sister. They tried to pull him down from the place that God had been working the entire life of Moses to bring him to. 

Throughout his life - his desert experience, there was something that was developing in him. It was called meekness. (Numbers 12:3)

Meek is a word that very few in this world ever come to know. It means mild, gentle, humble, unpretentious, unassuming, and modest are a few words that give us an idea of what being meek really means.

True meekness never just appears in our lives. It does not come until it has been planted, watered, pruned, purified, and beaten upon by every wind of God and cut to pieces by every knife of God.

Our text comes from the next to last chapter that Moses would ever utter. We move into chapter 34 and Moses disappears from human history by the way of death. But he writes something in the closing verses of chapter 33 that he felt that was important for us to know.

33:27 - “The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you.”

Think about this - no matter what you go through - “his everlasting arms are under you” at all times.

That is a life lesson worth learning.

This had great meaning for the Israelites. 

They had walked through the hot desert. 
The wearying marches through the sand had worn them down physically. 
They had gotten blisters on their feet from the pebbles that had gotten wedged in their sandals. 
They had endured sharp cuts from the thorns.
They had gained stone bruises from the rocks that were scattered in the path.

Yet God was with them - always!

In a way, I feel like Moses in life.  I have seen much and lived through many ups and downs. Yet, God has been with me always.  His arms have upholded and surrounded me and protected me.

I can honestly say - God is faithful.  He always has been and will alway be.  Trust Him through whatever desert experience you are experiencing in your life.  Allow your desert experience to form and shape you into the man or woman that God wants you to be.

WHY PRAY?

Matthew 7:7-8 (NLT) ⁷  “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. ⁸  For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

I love to pray.  I grew up watching my parents praying and seeking God on a daily basis.  Some of my earliest memories as a young child are of both of my parents on their knees praying as I would wake up every morning.  They modeled prayer and they taught us to pray also.  It is what I modeled for my children and even my grandkids.  I believe in prayer.

You might ask – Why do we need to ask God for anything?  That is a good question. 

The number 1 reason we ask is because God is our father and we are His children (not adopted).  And, God enjoys giving to His children.

Our scripture encourages us that God is a good God and enjoys giving good gifts to His children.  (Just like you and I do for our own children). As His children we have been given the right to enter His throne room on a daily basis and ask for our needs.

Matthew 7 teaches us to ASK (as a child would ask His Father).  

1 John 5:14 tells us that we need to ask “according to His will.”  The only way to pray according to His will is to get to know God in an intimate level of relationship.

As an example – every family has rules that need to be abided by.  Get to know God and the family rules and then you will be able to ask “according to God’s Will.”

We should also ASK with specifics in mind.  James tells us that we don’t get what we are praying for because we ask “amiss.”  We’re all over the map when we pray.

We must ASK with persistence also.  Many people pray one time and when God doesn’t answer they give up wondering why Jesus doesn’t answer prayer.  

Read through Luke 11:5-8 and you will see about an answered prayer through much PERSISTENCE.

My problem is that I want what I want right now.  But God says, “Some things need to wait.”  God will either say, “no,” or “yes,” or "later."

We all want God to answer our prayers immediately but we need to remember that the timing is always in God’s hands.  My heavenly father knows what is best for me.  We don’t always know what God is doing on our behalf.

I rest in that my father knows what is best for me then I feel protected.  He promises to give only good gifts to me.

The second reason we ask is because God desires that we ask.

There are many scriptures that support His desire as a father to have us as children come to Him but I especially love Psalm 91 and how it speaks to us in regards to prayer…

Psalm 91:14-16 (NLT) ¹⁴  The LORD says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. ¹⁵  When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. ¹⁶  I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.”

Lastly, the reason we ask is this – It draws us closer to God.

Jeremiah 31:3 (NLT) ³  Long ago the LORD said to Israel: “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.

James 4:8 (NLT) ⁸  Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.

God answers prayer.  I know that for a fact.  He desires for you to call out to Him and He so wants to answer your prayers.  

I don’t know why God answers one way or the other but I do know that the process of prayer is what helps me to see God more and it is what draws me closer and closer to Him everyday.

ARE YOU PROBLEM CENTERED OR POWER CENTERED?

“Now Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. So the people of Israel obeyed him, doing just as the LORD had commanded Moses.”Deuteronomy‬ ‭34:9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I’ve been a student of the Bible for many years.  The stories and lessons that are told within it’s pages have been a great blessing in developing the man I am and am going to be.

I am especially fascinated of the account of two great leaders: Moses, who led the people out of the land of Egypt. And Joshua, who succeeded Moses in leading the children of Israel to the Promised Land.

Each man had his strengths and each man had his weaknesses but both were powerful leaders in leading God’s people through the wilderness.  One, however, got bogged down in the wilderness and couldn’t move forward and the other led the people out of the wilderness.

It seems that the people under Moses’ leadership had a culture of complaining and were very problem centered.  Even though God did many miracles on their part - they never seemed to see the blessings that were before them.  There was no sense of the “wonder of God.”

Moses massaged the people’s problem and cauddled them, and as a result, they never seemed to get the victory and had to remain in the wilderness with their wilderness mentality.  They ended up wandering in the wilderness for 40 years.

Even though they left the bondages of Egypt they were still in bondage to themselves and never entered the Promised Land.

But Joshua was a different breed.  He didn’t see the problems but saw the potential.

“After the death of Moses the LORD’s servant, the LORD spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant. He said, “Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them.” Joshua‬ ‭1:1-2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

V.11 tells us that with just 3 days noticed he crossed over to The Promised Land.

I see many people who are always about the problem rather than being about the power of God.  Their way of thinking and their way of talking is very negative and downtrodden. When we are like that we forget who is on our side and the power that is available to us.

“But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭4:4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.” 1 Corinthians‬ ‭2:4-5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The Children Of Israel under Moses’ leadership only saw the problem.  They couldn’t see the power of God that was with them.  Miracles were happening right and left and yet they still complained.

Joshua on the other hand saw something completely different.  He saw how powerful God was and God’s desire for His people.  Even when the 10 spies came back with a negative report and scared the people - he saw what God could do in spite of the obstacles that lay before him.

I have admit, I have often been problem-centered rather than God-centered.  I have looked at the obstacles and the looming battles ahead and have lost out on many victories that God had in store with me.  I have been blessed in so many ways but I know that there could have been so much more if I had a different attitude and faith in God.

Having said that, I am daily moving forward, learning, trusting, and leaning into God.  I like what 2 Corinthians teaches us…

“We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:7-9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The question remains, “Are you problem centered or are you power centered?”  I choose to be power centered.

WHEN GOD DOESN'T ANSWER YOUR PRAYERS

“Even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭12:7-10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I’ve been a Christian for a lot of years and have learned a lot God and His ways. I really thought I knew His ways and thoughts but the day my grandson died I grew in my understanding of God.  I learned that God was SOVEREIGN and that He will do what He thinks is best and that there are some things in life that I will never know or get the answers that I want.

I wish that I had learned that lesson earlier in life.

Before my grandson died I prayed and fasted and did everything I thought was right.  He still died.  Even now, my heart breaks to remember my daughter cradling him in her arms as he took his last breath.  The grief was unbearable. I don’t wish that experience on anybody.

Now, looking back I realize that God used that experience in so many powerful ways that in turn has been a blessing to others that are going through difficult circumstances in their own life.

Paul relates in this passage of scripture to us by saying he prayed three times for God to take away this “thorn in the flesh.”

We don’t know what that thorn was.  It could have been a sickness or a disease or it could have been the many religious leaders that we're bringing him opposition.  Whatever it was, Paul prayed for it to go away and it didn’t.

God didn’t answer his prayer but told him “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.”

Quite honestly, it is in our weakness that God can use us.  Our strengths often become God’s rival. I’ve heard it said, “Man’s extremities are God’s opportunities.  Man’s security is Satan’s opportunity.”  That is so true.

It is not God’s purpose to take us out of the trial but to teach us how to stand strong in the midst of the trial.

Isaiah understood this when he said… “I have refined you, but not as silver is refined. Rather, I have refined you in the furnace of suffering.” Isaiah‬ ‭48:10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Again, look at what Paul said about God… “My power works best in weakness.”

It’s when we are against a wall, when things are not going our way and when life is hard and difficult that God works best in our lives.  

Again, God is Sovereign and He knows what is best for us.

Vv. 9-10 - “So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 

The word “boast” means to take pleasure in, to delight in.  Who does that?  Who gets happy in having trials in their lives?

It is the person who is totally leaning and trusting in God.  It is a person who wants and desires for the power of Christ (no matter what we go through) to work or dwell in us.

The word “dwell” means to take up residence.  God wants to dwell “take up residence” in your life in the midst of whatever you are going through right now.

If God would have answered Paul’s prayer it would have brought temporary relief but would have not left any last results.  It would have only been a blessing to Paul alone.

Because God did not answer Paul’s prayer - it brought comfort to his life for the whole of his life and would then become a blessing and comfort to many people and many generations of people who are going through some sort of trial.

I know for a fact that God doesn’t answer all my prayers in life but I also know that He is God and He is Sovereign and that He knows what is best for all of us.

In the meantime, I get to daily trust in His presence and work in my life knowing that He sees the bigger picture that will bring Him the greatest glory.