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.

GOD'S GOT THIS!

“Great is the LORD! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure his greatness.” Psalms‬ ‭145:3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

It is Monday and I’ve had a full weekend.  Church was amazing yesterday with many people giving their hearts to Christ.  I heard testimonies of healings and victories - enough to make my heart swell in praise to God this next week.

Nevertheless, it is Monday.  Do you have those Monday Blues?  Does looking at this week fill you with dread or does it empower you with excitement about what God has in store for you?

I would have to admit that I have caved in many times and dreaded the Monday Blues and went into the week more or less fearing what was ahead.

That is not the case for my life now as I look forward to what the week will bring.  I’ve been walking with God long enough to know that whatever adventure comes my way - my God is big and He can handle anything that comes my way.

When I think about the BIGNESS of God and even the SMALLNESS of God my heart swells with the peace that God has this week in the palm of His hands.  Basically, “God’s got this.”

When I think about the God who created the universe - it blows my mind.  Did you know that the earth is 8,000 miles in diameter and that the sun is 860,000 times in diameter? We could put 100,000 earths inside of the sun.

The earth is 93 million miles away from the sun.  If you were to reduce the sun to the size of a basketball - the earth would be a bb 109 feet away.  The planet Pluto would be 4,300 feet away and the nearest star would be 5,700 miles away.

The closest star is Apha Centauri and is 4.3 light years away from earth.  At the speed of light (186,000 miles per second) it would take you 18 days to reach it.

That is only one of millions of stars in our universe that God created and maintains.

Another way at looking at how big God is - is by looking at the smallest of His creation.  Did you know that everything you can see right now is made up of atoms?  If you were take a grain of sand and expand all the atoms in that one grain - it would fill a square box the size of 1 cubic square (3’ X 2’).

If you could string atoms like pearls at 1 atom per second - it would take around 200 years to do a 25” string.

One of my favorite verses and a great reminder of who is in charge of this week is from Colossians 1:15-17…

“Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.” Colossians‬ ‭1:15-17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

If God can create the universe and keep everything in motion with just a word, and if God can create the atom with enough power to light the city of Chicago - then God must be powerful enough to handle whatever comes my way this week.

Trust God with the small and mundane things and trust God with the big problems that overwhelm you.  His promise to never leave nor forsake you was good yesterday, it is good for today and for tomorrow.

GOD'S GOT YOU COVERED FOR WHATEVER IS AHEAD! Have a great week.

WHAT EVERY CHILD WANTS TO HEAR

“And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them: “The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.” ’” Numbers‬ ‭6:22-26‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

In most Jewish homes it is unheard of to leave the house without receiving THE BLESSING from their “Abba” (Daddy).  As family members prepare to leave for the day they will will come to their abba and receive the Aaronic Blessing upon them for God’s rich blessings to come their way and protect them throughout their day.

I think this is what is wrong with America in a lot of ways. Father’s don’t know how to give the blessing and children don’t know how to receive it.  As a result - many children (young and old) are walking around life without the blessing of their father.

It is what drives young women into the arms of other men and what causes anger and insecurity in many young people.  That… they don’t have the blessing of their father in their lives.

There is an incredible power behind THE BLESSING.  I’ve seen families melt into each other’s embrace as parents began to release a blessing into their children’s lives.

A child wants to hear, “I bless you. I love you.  I believe in you.”  As a result of not hearing those words children often act out and seek for love in other places and people.

Almost every Sunday I place this blessing on people as they leave church to meet their week.  I am often told by people of how much they enjoy receiving it because it is the only words of affirmation that they receive all week long.

You might ask - “How can I put the blessing on my children?”  Here are some of the things I think should be part of the blessing on my children and grandchildren.

• Affirming Words - These are words that affirm God’s blessings and promises on them.  They are words of hope and a future.  They are a reminder of who they are and how much God love them.  These words should be encouraging and life building.  They should be honest about the direction of their lives and the choices that they are making.
• Affirming Touch - In a world that is a little crazy - this should be one of the most important things we can do - the touch of blessing.  This is the affirmation of our love in a touch that is pure and right.  This is “God with skin on.”  It is the hugs that we give and the placing of our hand on their forehead as we pray.
• Affirming Time - This is spending quality time with those we love.  This is letting them know how valuable and important they are to us.
• Affirming God’s Promises - Jeremiah 29:11 says that God has a plan for us and it is good.  We need to be speaking these words into the ears of our children and grandchildren.  Things like “You shall be the head and not the tail.” (Deuteronomy 28:13) and “keep your eyes on God.” (Psalm 123:2a)
• Affirming Purpose - Remind them that they are not only on this earth for themselves but for others.  Remind them that they should live a life of service to others - that true greatness is in helping and serving others and not just ourselves.

Every Sunday families walk up to the church and I try to greet them if I can.  As I hug adults and children alike I often say a quiet prayer of blessing over their lives.  They might not hear me but I know my Heavenly Father hears my prayers.

I am one of the lucky ones in life as I grew up in an atmosphere of positivity and with much affirmation.  Every day my parents were my best cheerleaders - “You can do it, you can make something of your life, you can go and do great things.”  I only wish now that my father was still alive to see his words of blessings coming to life in all his kids and grandkids.  His influence in my life has been huge and has had a mighty impact not only on me but my whole family.  I pray that I now carry on that legacy and that God would use me to touch and bless my family to prepare them for the great things their lives.

One more thing, if you grew up without the blessing of your natural father in your life - don’t seek for it in all the wrong places.  Go to God, your Heavenly Father, and let Him speak the words of blessing over you and give the words of affirmation that you need to hear.  He loves you SO much and His plan for your future is good!

I Bless You Today In Jesus’ Strong Name!

DEALING WITH STRESS AND PRESSURE

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”” John‬ ‭16:33‬ ‭NLT‬‬

My wife has instilled something into all our grandkids that I don’t quite get - It is a love for the “I Love Lucy” reruns.  That’s the only thing they want to watch when they come over our house.  We’ve seen every episode dozens of times.

I have to admit, she is really funny and she makes us laugh a lot with all her antics.

There is one episode that sticks out in my mind that reminds me of this verse of scripture: It is of her stomping grapes with her bare feet in the country of Italy.

Let me back up just a little and explain.  We are told in this passage of scripture “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows…”

The Greek word for trials is the word “Thilipis” - meaning to squeeze like grapes.  In other words, life will sometimes feel like you are being squeezed like grapes until there is no nothing left to squeeze out.

Thus the image of Lucy stomping out the grapes in Italy - squeezing out every bit of juice in order to make wine.

The apostle Paul understood pressure and stress when he wrote…

“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 ‭4:8-9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

He dealt with rejection and opposition.  He overcame fear and loneliness.  He was imprisoned for preaching the gospel.  His life was filled with much stress and pressure on a daily basis.

When a chicken is ready to be hatched from it’s egg - the struggle is part of what makes it strong.  I’ve heard of people helping the chicken hatch by removing the shell for the baby chick.  

It might of made it easier for the baby chicken but it eventually the chicken will die because it didn’t develop the needed muscles to be strong in life.

The only way to make your muscles strong is to exercise and work out.  In other words - put some stress and pressure on your body.

Conflict, stress and pressure are God’s way to put spiritual muscle on your lives so that you will be able to live a victorious life.

2 Timothy is a book that was written just before Paul was executed for his faith.  In chapter 4 he lists all sorts of stress and pressure that he had to endure. 

I like the way he ends the chapter though…

“But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength…” ‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭4:17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

No matter what you are going through, no matter what stress and pressure you are facing - you can be certain of this: “the Lord will stand with you and give you strength.”

God is standing with you and going through your times of stress and pressure with you.  Trust Him that He will not leave or forsake you and that you will arrive safely where God wants you to go.

May you be encouraged with these words today.

RISING ABOVE A CRUMMY DYSFUNCTIONAL LIFE

One of the things in life I enjoy doing is helping people rise above whatever is holding them down and back.  I enjoy motivating and encouraging them and watching them grow to to heights beyond where they are currently living.

For some people the change is immediate and for others it is a long process because they are so bound to the things of this world.

To be honest, I watch some people live this crummy dysfunctional life as if it’s the normal way to live.  It’s not.  It never has been nor will it never be.

You might be asking - “Well then, what is the secret?  What do we need to do to rise above “crummy?”

The answer is simple - “KEEP THE RULES!”  God has laid out a path for you to live your life - just do what He’s asked you to do.

And so there is no confusion - He laid it out for you in His Book called the Bible.

Leviticus 26:3 says… “If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands...” - then these blessings will come your way.

If you continue to read from vv. 4-13 in Leviticus 26 you see that if you KEEP THE RULES that there is a blessing from God that will help you rise above “crummy.’

Notice some of the promised blessings.

• The Blessing Of Harvest
• The Blessing Of Security
• The Blessing Of Peace
• The Blessing Of Sleep
• The Blessing Of Victory
• The Blessing Of Favor
• The Blessing Of Covenant
• The Blessing Of Surplus
• The Blessing Of His Presence
• The Blessing Of Freedom
• The Blessing Of Confidence

Whenever I stop keeping the rules - everything in my life falls apart.  I’ve learned that the hard way over and over and over.

As a kid I grew up in a farming community.  The opportunities for exploring were everywhere. I had a lot of freedom to play outside and do a lot of fun things - as long as I KEPT THE RULES.

One of the rules that was pressed upon on us was don’t mess with skunks as they will spray you with a bad odor.  Needless to say, I didn’t listen to the rules and got a little closer to a skunk than I should have and got sprayed all over.  My mom wouldn’t even let me back in the house. I had to wash down with the outside hose and with tomato juice and we had to burn all of my clothes.  What a mess.

Rules are there for a purpose.  God says, “KEEP THE RULES” and you will be blessed beyond measure.  You can live above the crummy dysfunctional life that you are now living but you need to discipline yourself to follow God in what He has laid out for your life.

Do you want to rise above “crummy?”    Do you want to rise above the place where you are right now?  Do you want to be a candidate for the miraculous and for the blessing of prosperity that God has for you?  I know I do.  KEEP THE RULES and you will live a life filled God’s promises and blessings.  As a result you will experience real happiness and real peace in your life!