Tag: prayer

Come, O’ faithful ones, and hear, all you who revere God; let me tell you what he has done for me. Psalm 66

Psalm 66 New American Standard Bible 1995

Praise for God’s Mighty Deeds and for His Answer to Prayer.

For the choir director. A Song. A Psalm.

66 Shout joyfully to God, all the earth;
2 Sing the glory of His name;
Make His praise glorious.
3 Say to God, “How awesome are Your works!
Because of the greatness of Your power Your enemies will [a]give feigned obedience to You.
4 “All the earth will worship You,
And will sing praises to You;
They will sing praises to Your name.” [b]Selah.

5 Come and see the works of God,
Who is awesome in His deeds toward the sons of men.
6 He turned the sea into dry land;
They passed through the river on foot;
There let us rejoice in Him!
7 He rules by His might forever;
His eyes keep watch on the nations;
Let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.

8 Bless our God, O peoples,
And [c]sound His praise abroad,
9 Who [d]keeps us in life
And does not allow our feet to [e]slip.
10 For You have tried us, O God;
You have refined us as silver is refined.
11 You brought us into the net;
You laid an oppressive burden upon our loins.
12 You made men ride over our heads;
We went through fire and through water,
Yet You brought us out into a place of abundance.
13 I shall come into Your house with burnt offerings;
I shall pay You my vows,
14 Which my lips uttered
And my mouth spoke when I was in distress.
15 I shall offer to You burnt offerings of fat beasts,
With the smoke of rams;
I shall make an offering of [f]bulls with male goats. Selah.

16 Come and hear, all who [g]fear God,
And I will tell of what He has done for my soul.
17 I cried to Him with my mouth,
And [h]He was extolled with my tongue.
18 If I [i]regard wickedness in my heart,
The Lord [j]will not [k]hear;
19 But certainly God has heard;
He has given heed to the voice of my prayer.
20 Blessed be God,
Who has not turned away my prayer
Nor His lovingkindness from me.

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

We have needs which God meets. Quite often, with and in as much gratitude as we can muster we are led to give thanks after giving honor and adoration to God in our prayers for blessings received. We give thanks for all the amazing things God has done—for this world, for his people, and for us in our personal lives.

Notice how Psalm 66 moves from adoration to thanksgiving.

In the first four verses the psalmist declares how awesome and glorious God is.

Then in verse 5 we see a transition to “come and see what God has done.” From this point on, the psalm reads like an inventory of God’s gifts and amazing help.

The psalmist describes how God continually saves and never stops watching over his people, even in the context of anxiety, fear, trouble, disappointments, and psalmist shouts thanks for what God has done for him personally as well.

The ancient words of Psalm 66 teaches us the value of being specific when we give thanks to God. Many people like to keep a personal “thanks be to God” prayer journal that helps them pay attention to what God is doing in their lives.

As the Psalmist did here in Psalm 66, they keep a running list of God’s blessings and His mercy, love, for them, and they review their list in thanksgiving to God.

In our own personal prayer life (if we actually have disciplined ourselves to have one), do we even .01% acknowledge, recognize gratitude grows in many ways?

God is incredibly gracious and generous.

As we read in James 1:17, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father. . . .”

The One who gives so abundantly, so much of Himself to us, without caveats, is in my own personal belief, is truly most worthy to receive our abundant thanks.

Psalms 66:20 in the King James Version of the Bible reads: “Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.”

This verse is a resounding declaration of the Psalmists praise and thanksgiving to God for not rejecting the psalmist’s prayers, for continuing to show mercy.

The book of Psalms is a compilation of 150 poetic songs and prayers and pleas the Psalmist’s raised, that were used in worship and praise in ancient Israel.

The psalms cover a wide range of deep emotions and themes, including praise, thanksgiving, lament, and petition. Psalms 66, in particular, is a psalm of high magnitude thanksgiving and wall shaking praise for deliverance from trouble.

The verse at hand expresses the psalmist’s gratitude for God’s faithfulness in hearing and answering prayers.

It acknowledges the mercy and compassion of God, as well as the fact that He has not and will not forsaken or turned away from the psalmist’s cries for help.

This verse reflects the psalmist’s strength of faith, deepest trust in God and his recognition of God’s constant, continual continued presence, grace in his life.

The theme of gratitude and thanksgiving is central to this verse.

It vividly highlights the psalmist’s recognition of the blessings and deliverance that have come from God alone. The act of praising God for His faithfulness in answering prayers and showing mercy serves as an empowering reminder to all believers to express gratitude for all God’s goodness and provision in their lives.

The context of this verse within the larger psalm is also significant.

In the preceding verses, the psalmist recounts a time of distress and trouble when he called out to God for help.

He describes how God has brought him through the trials and has answered his prayers setting the stage for the declaration of praise and thanksgiving in verse 20, as our psalmist reflects on the faithfulness of God in answering to petitions.

The symbolism of verse 20 lies in the essential contrast between the continual faithfulness of God and the never ending tiresome fickleness of human nature.

The psalmist juxtaposes the unwavering nature of God’s mercy and the innate tendency of humanity to forget or neglect the goodness of God. The image of God not turning away the psalmist’s prayer signifies His steadfastness and His 100% willingness to hear, to listen and to respond to the cries of His people.

In a broader theological sense, this verse also points to the character of God as being merciful and compassionate. It emphasizes the idea that God is a loving and caring deity who is attentive to the needs and pleas of His people.

This is a critical source of comfort and reassurance for believers, as it affirms the Psalmist’s belief in God’s loving-kindness and His willingness to extend, unconditionally, His grace and mercy with no boundaries, to those who seek.

In conclusion, the ancient words of Psalms 66:20 is a verse of highest gratitude and maxed out praise, expressing the psalmist’s deepest thankfulness for God’s faithfulness in answering prayers and showing mercy.

It serves readers of all ages, of all generations as a reminder to all believers of the importance of acknowledging, praising God for His goodness and provision.

The verse also highlights the symbolic contrast between God’s unwavering mercy and the fickle nature of humanity, as well as pointing to the character of God as loving and compassionate. It is an incredibly inspiring, and an incredibly powerful statement of hope, trust and reliance on God’s faithfulness and grace.

If we were the modern contemporary Psalmist and were inspired to be thankful to God for blessings given and blessings received, how would our own Psalm 66 read? How would future generations of Psalmist’s be empowered, inspired to write theirs’s? And we the readers and writers of devotionals, to just HUG GOD?

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Psalm 150 Complete Jewish Bible

150 Halleluyah!

Praise God in his holy place!
Praise him in the heavenly dome of his power!
2 Praise him for his mighty deeds!
Praise him for his surpassing greatness!

3 Praise him with a blast on the shofar!
Praise him with lute and lyre!
4 Praise him with tambourines and dancing!
Praise him with flutes and strings!
5 Praise him with clanging cymbals!
Praise him with loud crashing cymbals!
6 Let everything that has breath praise Adonai!

Halleluyah!

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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An Expression of my Inexpressible “All Thanks be to God for Answered Prayers; He is leading my heart to the Rock which is always higher than I!” Psalm 61

Psalm 61 English Standard Version

Lead Me to the Rock

To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. Of David.

61 Hear my cry, O God,
    listen to my prayer;
2 from the end of the earth I call to you
    when my heart is faint.
Lead me to the rock
    that is higher than I,
3 for you have been my refuge,
    a strong tower against the enemy.

4 Let me dwell in your tent forever!
    Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah
5 For you, O God, have heard my vows;
    you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

6 Prolong the life of the king;
    may his years endure to all generations!
7 May he be enthroned forever before God;
    appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him!

8 So will I ever sing praises to your name,
    as I perform my vows day after day.

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

Psalm 61 expresses the desperate prayer of one who senses a great need for God.

David prays “from the ends of the earth” (61:2).

Although this could mean that he was far away from home, the sense of this phrase is more than literal. It speaks of neediness, when we are far away from what is comfortable, familiar, and safe. It may also point to times when we feel more than far away from God, it seems as if he is not near to hear our prayers.

In such times, our hearts can become overwhelmed. The Hebrew term ‘ataf, translated here as “overwhelmed,” can also mean “faint” or “weak.” There are times when our circumstances batter us, when our inner reserves are drying up.

We can feel as if life is just too much for us, and that we’re not going to survive.

In such times, like David, we cry out to God for mercy.

Even though God might feel far away, or we are stuck at the very bottom of the Grand Canyon and looking up at the sheer cliffs we have no skill set nor any equipment nor any inclination, to climb out, even though we are emotionally spent, we nevertheless call out to God to lead us to a place of safety and security.

The “towering rock of safety” is a place where the floods cannot engulf us or our enemies can get to us and crush our spirits. The rock that is literally “higher than” we are, signifies unassailable heights of God’s protection and presence.

Perhaps you’re in a place like David today, feeling beyond far away from God, overwhelmed by the challenges before you, overwhelmed by the challenges that keep coming. If so, cry out to the God who will lead you to his rock of safety. If you’re not in such a place today—thanks be to God!—I’m sure you know people who are. Their hearts might even be too faint to pray, but you can do it for them.

We know the words, we preach, teach, model “TRUST GOD, do not be afraid. “

Yet the circumstances remain, more keeps coming, too many things feel out of control … there never seems to be enough time to “schedule our daily prayers!”

Your routines are not running smoothly.

You tend to feel more secure when your life is predictable.

Let GOD lead you to the rock that is higher than you and your circumstances.

Take refuge in the shelter of GOD’S wings, where you are absolutely secure.

When you are shaken out of your comfortable routines, grip The LORD’s hand tightly and look for growth opportunities.

Instead of bemoaning the loss of your comfort, courageously accept the challenge of something new.

The LORD leads you on from glory to glory, making you fit for HIS kingdom.

Say yes to the ways GOD works in your life. Trust GOD, and don’t be afraid.”

“Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.” ISAIAH 12 : 2

From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. PSALM 61 : 2 – 4

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 CORINTHIANS 3 : 18 (NKJV)

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: 

When have you felt like David, far from God and completely overwhelmed?

How did you pray?

Did you pray?

How did you experience God’s deliverance?

What, for you, is the “towering rock of safety”?

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

PRAYER: O Lord, there are times when you feel so very far away, when it seems as if you aren’t even there to hear my prayers. And there are times when I am so haggard in soul that I can barely pray. Thank you my God and my King for the inspiring example of David, whose desperation reminds me that I am not alone.

Lord help when things feel unpredictable and uncomfortable, help me to look up to You, stand tall in the shadow of your Son’s cross, for growth opportunities and stepping forward, accept the challenge of something new. You are leading me, molding me to look more and more like Jesus. I trust you. In Jesus’ name.

Thank you also for his quiet confidence in you. Help me to know that you will lead me to the towering rock of safety when I am feeling lost and exhausted.

Psalm 121 English Standard Version

My Help Comes from the Lord

A Song of Ascents.

121 I lift up my eyes to the hills.
    From where does my help come?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot be moved;
    he who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, he who keeps Israel
    will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord is your keeper;
    the Lord is your shade on your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day,
    nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all evil;
    he will keep your life.
8 The Lord will keep
    your going out and your coming in
    from this time forth and forevermore.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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For our whole heart rejoices in Him, because we trust in, lean on, rely on, and are confident, in His holy name. Psalm 33:18-22

Psalm 33:18-22 Names of God Bible

18 Yahweh’s eyes are on those who fear him,
    on those who wait with hope for his mercy
19 to rescue their souls from death
    and keep them alive during a famine.

20 We wait for Yahweh.
    He is our help and our Magen.
21 In him our hearts find joy.
    In his holy name we trust.
22 Let your mercy rest on us, O Yahweh,
    since we wait with hope for you.

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

How well do we know that God authentically cares deeply about our emotions?

Your heavenly Father truly 100% longs for your life to be marked by emotional joy, fulfillment, satisfaction, and peace. He longs for your emotions to be rooted and grounded in his steadfast love and goodness. Our God is an emotional God.

He is not void of feelings.

We feel because he feels.

We have emotions because we are made in his image.

For much of my Christian life I thought my emotions had to be based on my circumstances. I felt happy or sad or mad or depressed solely based on others’ opinions of me, the pressures of life, and opportunities I had or didn’t have.

As a result I was on a constant emotional roller coaster following the ups and downs of this shaky world. I found myself controlled by the things of the world rather than the foundation of love laid before me by the sacrificial love of Jesus.

Scripture continually describes a link between emotional health and trust.

Isaiah 26:3-4 says, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.” 

Psalm 56:3-4 says, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?” 

Psalm 33:21 says, “For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name.”

We are robbed of having our emotions rooted in God whenever we take on more pressure than we are meant to carry.

Our emotional health is directly linked to our level of trust.

We feel pressure at work when we look to our job and co-workers for our bosses assurances, provision, identity, purpose, and fulfillment.

We feel pressure in our relationships when our worth isn’t based on God’s perspective but the opinions of others.

We are robbed of peace whenever we try and plan our own steps rather than our efforts at following our Good Shepherd into the green pastures and still waters.

Trust is something we are not created to give away very lightly. We value trust as deeply as we value our own lives, constantly scrutinizing others to see if they’re worthy of our trust. But still we are created, shaped, to do life with help.

We are made to place our trust in that which will provide us with more life, joy, and peace. I pray that this week you and I will discover how trustworthy our heavenly Father is. I pray that we will willingly hand over control of our lives to a capable, loving, and near God. And I pray we will experience the abundant life that only comes through placing our trust in a God who gives up everything for true 100% authentic abiding relationship with us. I pray for the sun to be still.

John 14:27 says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

God’s heart is to fill you with peace. He longs for you to have all the fruit of the Spirit dwelling within you. He has consistent, constant peace available to you.

But you must trust him in every area of your life.

You must hand over the reins of your relationships, job, identity, and plans to your Good Shepherd.

You must trust that he will guide you perfectly into an abundant life.

Look to your heavenly Father for peace.

Find rest in his abundant love.

Find your self-worth in the fact that God so desired relationship with you that he laid down his own life to have it.

Your Father counts you worthy of the death of his only Son.

Trust him today.

Place your entire life in his capable hands.

Experience abundant life in the area of your emotions, rooting and grounding yourself in his unconditional, available love.

May your life be marked by increasing emotional health as you grow in trust.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on the link between trust and emotional health. Allow Scripture to stir up your desire and willingness to trust God with every area of your life.

“For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name.” Psalm 33:21

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?” Psalm 56:3-4

2. Where are you not experiencing abundant life in your emotions? 

Where are you void of peace, joy, passion, and purpose?

3. Ask God to help you discern what part of your life you are not trusting to him. Hand over that area to him and find peace and rest in his trustworthiness.

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.” Isaiah 26:3-4

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27

Don’t settle for less than Jesus died to give you.

Your life can be completely wrapped up in God’s presence, unconditional love, and ability to guide you.

You can be filled with the emotions of God.

You don’t have to settle for pressure, stress, anger, and frustration.

You don’t have to settle for sadness, insecurity, or depression.

Place your trust in God, open your heart, and receive the peace that can only come from your life being hidden in the heart of your perfect heavenly Father.

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Psalm 23 Names of God Bible

Psalm 23

A psalm by David.

1 Yahweh is my Roeh.
    I am never in need.
2         He makes me lie down in green pastures.
        He leads me beside peaceful waters.
3         He renews my soul.
        He guides me along the paths of righteousness
            for the sake of his name.
4 Even though I walk through the dark valley of death,
    because you are with me, I fear no harm.
        Your rod and your staff give me courage.

5 You prepare a banquet for me while my enemies watch.
    You anoint my head with oil.
    My cup overflows.

6 Certainly, goodness and mercy will stay close to me all the days of my life,
    and I will remain in Yahweh’s house for days without end.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

https://translate.google.com/

 Then Joshua spoke unto the Lord, “O sun, stand still at Gibeon, And O moon in the valley of Aijalon.” Will we dare to pray for the impossible? Joshua 10:7-14

Joshua 10:7-14 English Standard Version

7 So Joshua went up from Gilgal, he and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valor. 8 And the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not fear them, for I have given them into your hands. Not a man of them shall stand before you.” 9 So Joshua came upon them suddenly, having marched up all night from Gilgal.  10 And the Lord  threw them into a panic before Israel, who[a] struck them with a great blow at Gibeon and chased them by the way of the ascent of Beth-horon and struck them as far as Azekah and Makkedah. 11 And as they fled before Israel, while they were going down the ascent of Beth-horon, the Lord threw down large stones from heaven on them as far as Azekah, and they died. There were more who died because of the hailstones than the sons of Israel killed with the sword.

12 At that time Joshua spoke to the Lord in the day when the Lord gave the Amorites over to the sons of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel,

“Sun, stand still at Gibeon,
    and moon, in the Valley of Aijalon.”
13 And the sun stood still, and the moon stopped,
    until the nation took vengeance on their enemies.

Is this not written in the Book of Jashar? The sun stopped in the midst of heaven and did not hurry to set for about a whole day. 14 There has been no day like it before or since, when the Lord heeded the voice of a man, for the Lord fought for Israel.

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

Today I want us to consider a much more obscure and unknown prayer, a very short prayer given to us by Joshua. It’s a bold and courageous prayer of just 3 words – 3 impossible words.

In Joshua 10:12 it says …Sun, stand still. Joshua asked God to do the impossible and make the sun stand still in the sky and as we read on in Joshua 10:13 we see that the sun stood still.

God answered Joshua’s prayer and did the impossible.

God kept the sun from setting.

Now let’s look at the context of this prayer, see why Joshua asked God to do this.

JOSHUA was a remarkable man. He grew up to experience firsthand his nation Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. He saw the miracles of God and trusted Him.

• He spied on the land, and with Caleb, came back with a message of faith – that God would surely help them seize the Promised Land.

• But unfortunately the majority won that day, gripped by fear. So Joshua and Israel were thrown into 40 years of unnecessary wandering in the desert.

• Yet he kept his faith in God. No complaining, no blaming God. Eventually God chose him to succeed Moses and take the nation into Canaan.

Joshua had to lead his men to fight their way into the Promised Land. He never doubted God’s promise to Israel.

• We read here in Joshua 10 that five Amorite armies were planning to attack. Joshua went for a pre-emptive strike.

• He led his entire army on an all-night march towards the enemy’s camp, under the cover of darkness so that they could launch a pre-dawn surprise attack.

The distance from Gilgal to Gibeon is about 25 mils and it takes 2 or 3 days on a leisurely pace, but Joshua’s army covered the same distance in just one night!

• The long night march took the enemy completely by surprise.

• When the enemy lines broke, the Amorites started to flee into the valley.

• God got into the battle in verse 11: “As they fled before Israel on the road down from Beth Horon to Azekah, the LORD hurled large hailstones down on them from the sky, and more of them died from the hailstones than were killed by the swords of the Israelites.” (Joshua 10:11)

As the sun set toward the horizon, Joshua knew that his time was up. Once it got dark, the enemies would slip away.

• Perhaps he realized that if he didn’t destroy them now, he would have lingering problems. And anything less than a victory would not glorify God.

• So he uttered into this outrageous prayer: “O sun, stand still over Gibeon, O moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.” (Josh 10:12) It wasn’t a private prayer but a public one, before all the people.

• And if you think this is too ridiculous, God answered him! Without delay!

(1) DARE TO SAY GOD-SIZED PRAYERS

Joshua has the audacity to ask God to do something, not just miraculous, but unbelievable and unprecedented.

• The fact that he could even thought of that was remarkable. Faith knows no limits, because with God, nothing is impossible. Joshua believed in a BIG God.

• Have you ever asked God for the impossible?

Does your unbelief limit what God can do for you?

That is, you believe God only for the achievable, the believable, the possible and so you pray only decent prayers; prayers that are more reasonable to answer.

When Peter saw Jesus walking on water, he did not stretch out his hand to help Jesus get onboard.

Instead he asked to be allowed to do the same – walk on water, and get to where Jesus was!

• In Acts 3 he saw a man crippled from birth, said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” (Acts 3:6)

and guess what happened … look it up for yourself.

• James says, “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. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.” (James 5:17-18)

Read that again just to be sure you read it right – “and the heavens gave rain.”

Prayer is the arena where the measure of our faith meets all of God’s abilities.

We can pray prayers worthy of the God we’re praying to.

• “Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah: 27 “I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:26-27)

• We worship the same God.

The only difference is Joshua, Peter, and Elijah had the audacity to pray prayers that lived up to God’s mighty power and glory.

Could it be that we are not seeing so much of God’s greatness because we have been making timid prayers? We have not been asking more than the natural?

Let us go beyond just timid prayers – giving thanks for the food I eat, asking God for a good weather day, heal from a serious illness, God to restore our land.

These are worthy prayers but we can go farther than that.

• We don’t have to worry about putting God in an awkward or embarrassing position. You’re not going to back Him into a corner (does the universe have corners?). You won’t ever challenge Him to do something beyond His aptitude.

• Let’s stretch our faith and ask God for the supernatural.

Ask for what He is capable of doing.

What is God not capable of doing when asked for in His will, Jesus’ name?

We do the natural, and trust God to for the “super natural” and we will see His supernatural works in our lives.

• When that happens, everybody will know it was God who did it.

No doubt about it, His Son will shine and He will surely be glorified.

Are we so bold, courageous to actually pray for God’s promises to be revealed?

Why was Joshua so bold?

He knows God.

He knows God’s will.

• During the march, God spoke to Joshua and gave him a promise:

“Do not be afraid of them; I have given them into your hand. Not one of them will be able to withstand you.” (Joshua 10:8)

• Joshua believed what God had promised him.

It was God’s will to defeat the enemy.

Joshua wants to see God’s purpose fulfilled.

• Someone says, “God listens to the voice of a man who himself has listened to the voice of God.”

Joshua knows God well enough to ask for the sun and the moon to stay still.

• He saw all the miracles God did back in Egypt, when He freed them from slavery.

He saw God drop food from the sky for 40 years to feed his people, Israel.

He saw how the Lord produced water from a rock and has no doubt what God can do.

• Here he did what he could as a commander, to plan and strategize, to lead the army in an all-night march and a pre-dawn strike – and let God do His part.

His faith in God comes through knowing God, and to know Him, we need to hear Him, we need to listen to Him, we need to trust Him and to obey Him.

• Romans 10:17 “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.”

• That’s where we need to focus at – if you want your faith to grow, get to know Him more. To know Him, you need to HEAR Him more.

• Matt 7:24-25 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.”

DON’T STAND IN HOPE, WALK IN FAITH

We can pray and stand in hope – in other words, we do nothing but just wait and hope that God will show up and do something.

• This is passive faith. James called it DEAD faith – faith without deeds is dead (James 2:26), it is useless. I need to show God my faith by what I do.

• We need to WALK IN FAITH – to move out, to do something to get to our destination (God’s destiny for us).

It is amazing to see the extent of human effort involved in this battle.

• Joshua’s army made a 25 mile overnight long march and launch straight into battle that lasted all the way to the next sunset. And he asked the Lord to stay the sun, for another full day! Can you sense how bold, how confident that was?

• Even though God was with them, had given them the promise of victory, and was personally involved in the battle (raining hailstones), it did free them from personal commitment.

• They knew God promised victory, they had to fight the war no matter what; they had to sweat it out, fight it out for night and days; they had to pay a price.

Success doesn’t come easy, even with God’s presence and promise.

• God wants us to be fully committed.

Victory wasn’t just a gift dropped down from the sky, right onto their laps.

• They had to believe God, have faith, trust God, fight for His ‘promised’ victory.

So too, even 4000 + years later, must we.

Possible?

Impossible?

• God has given us His promises.

God says He will be with us.

God will fight the battle for us.

But we need to do our part.

We need to put our hard work.

Walk in faith, don’t stand in hope.

CONCLUSION

The lesson we learn from Joshua 10 is that we serve a God who can transform the most adverse situations we face into opportunities to display His glory.

• Like the people of Israel, you may be facing a very difficult situation.

I cannot promise that God will stop the sun for you, but we can be sure that He can work a miracle in your life.

• He can transform whatever you are facing into something that will show His glory.

It’s human nature to want to skip straight from the promise to the payoff.

Who doesn’t want to get right to the good stuff?

But the process is invaluable.

The process is a time of strengthening.

The process is the place where you lay down your pride and learn to rely totally on God.

Most importantly, the process is the way we grow – to know God.

And that’s really the whole point – to KNOW God!

The process is the point.

Do not Fear! Pray God-sized prayers because God is more than capable of that.

Cling on to His will and what He has promised, and move on in faith.

God will always come through for you.

When Joshua faced an impossible situation – he cried out to God to do what most people would have thought was impossible – he asked God to make the sun stand still. Joshua was bold and courageous and faithful and God responded.

I believe God is waiting for us to be bold, courageous and faithful in our prayers.

I believe God wants us to pray for that which many might think is impossible but we pray it anyway because we know that with God all things are possible.

All things are possible with God which means that there is no impossible prayer.

God doesn’t want us to pray for the impossible he wants us to pray with God like conviction and Jesus’ faith for that which we know can be possible with Him.

Jesus said if we faith the size of a mustard seed that nothing will be impossible.

Philippians 4:13 I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.

Knowing that all things are possible with God, what are all those seemingly impossible situations God wants you to pray for with boldness and courage?

What impossible situation in your life is God just waiting for you to pray about so he can amaze you with his power and grace and goodness?

Is it a relationship that needs to be healed or a financial problem that needs to be fixed?

Is the impossible or possible situation a spiritual transformation in your life or in the life of someone you know or love?

Is it a prayer for physical or emotional healing, power to overcome temptation or finally to achieve a certain goal that has eluded you for an entire lifetime?

What is the impossible situation in your life that God wants to make possible?

Can you name it – write it down and start getting specific with God about what you want?

God is waiting for us to be bold and courageous in our prayers – so what is the impossible prayer (or possible prayer) you need to be praying today?

Now… what will take for you to pray this impossible prayer with boldness, faith and confidence?

What will it take for you to pray like Joshua knowing that God can 100% make it happen? What does it take for us to ask God to do that which is impossible to us?

Praying for the impossible means we stop trying to do it ourselves and start asking God.

Whether it’s in relationships, finances, health, our jobs, our community or finding our place in the church or in our world, when we finally stop trying to do it on our own, start asking God to do it for us, God can finally step in, do it.

So what it takes to pray for that which seems impossible is

  • A vision of God’s Power
  • An understanding of God’s love
  • Being in synch with God’s word
  • Humbling ourselves in the Presence of God.

That’s what it takes to pray for the impossible

– all that’s left now is to actually pray.

Are you praying yet?

One final thought, while Joshua prayed his prayer once and God did it, that prayer only came after a lifetime of Joshua praying and walking with God.

God may not answer our prayers the moment we pray them, it may take a bit of patience and perseverance and persistence in prayer until God answers – so don’t pray once and then give up when the sun sets. Pray every day until God reveals Himself and moves in your situation or moves in your heart and life.

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Psalm 29 English Standard Version

Ascribe to the Lord Glory

A Psalm of David.

29 Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings,[a]
    ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
    worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.[b]

3 The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
    the God of glory thunders,
    the Lord, over many waters.
4 The voice of the Lord is powerful;
    the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.

5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars;
    the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes Lebanon to skip like a calf,
    and Sirion like a young wild ox.

7 The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire.
8 The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness;
    the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

9 The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth[c]
    and strips the forests bare,
    and in his temple all cry, “Glory!”

10 The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;
    the Lord sits enthroned as king forever.
11 May the Lord give strength to his people!
    May the Lord bless[d] his people with peace!

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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“Have faith in God?” “Whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours?” The seeds of faith to move the mountains. Mark 11:20-25

Mark 11:20-25 Revised Standard Version

The Lesson from the Withered Fig Tree

20 As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. 21 And Peter remembered and said to him, “Master,[a] look! The fig tree which you cursed has withered.” 22 And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. 23 Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received[b] it, and it will be yours. 25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against any one; so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”[c]

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

As Jesus and his disciples walked along toward Jerusalem, they came across an unexpected surprise: a fig tree in full leaf.

This was a surprise because it was too early in the year for figs.

But where there was a fig tree in leaf, you could expect figs.

So Jesus and the disciples went over to the tree to see if it had any fruit.

It had none.

What seemed at first to be a remarkable tree turned out to be a disappointment.

So Jesus said to the tree: “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.”

And he walked away.

The next day, as they left Jerusalem and passed by the same tree, the disciples were astonished to find the tree totally withered.

When Peter expressed his surprise about the tree, Jesus used the opportunity to teach two lessons.

The first lesson was about failure. The empty tree serves as a stern hardcore warning we cannot pretend to be spiritually alive, for we won’t bear any fruit.

The second lesson is about faith. Jesus says, “Have faith in God.” We are to 100% trust in him for all the life and strength we need in order to serve him.

When we are rooted in Jesus through sincere prayer, our faith will bear fruit.

Our faith in Christ will be strong enough to help move people to believe in Jesus and enter his kingdom. Through his strength in us, we will show he is alive!

Probable or Improbable: Faith to Move Mountains

In reading our Bibles, we will come across verses that seem straightforward and easy to understand immediately.

On the other hand, there are also verses like this one!

“Whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours,” says Jesus.

We are tempted essentially to sidestep what these words say.

We try to bury them under a hundred qualifications.

The misapplication of such verses has scared some of us so much that we hardly give any attention to the sheer encouragement and the challenges they contain.

In this bold command, Jesus reminded His followers to trust God, because it is actually faith’s foundation in God that gives that faith significance. We should not have faith in faith or faith in ourselves, but 100% faith in God, God alone.

The metaphor that Jesus employed—that of someone commanding a mountain to be thrown into the sea—was perhaps familiar to the disciples; it was similar to a common rabbinic figure of speech for accepting an impossible challenge to then, with all effort accomplishing something that was seemingly impossible.[1] 

1 Alfred Edersheim, The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah (Longmans, Green, and Co., 1898), Vol. 2, p 376 (footnote).

The way to get real-life results in prayer is to seek God with an attitude that says, “No matter how long it takes, or whatever I have to do, I will not be denied.”

This is not arrogance; it is Godly hunger. It is not about pushing God to give us what we want and how and when we want it, but about pushing yourself into God. It is not praying for the sake of praying. It is praying to see the hand of God move. It is desperate hardcore praying. It is the type of prayer that gets answers.

The disciples would not have misunderstood Jesus as suggesting that they  can literally hurl the Mount of Olives into the Dead Sea over 4,000 feet below them.

They would have understood his words as a proverbial statement indicating God wants to do extraordinary things through His children, for His children.

We discover vivid proof of Jesus’ teaching on faith and prayer throughout the book of Acts.

Early on, when a lame beggar asked Peter and John for money, Peter told him instead to look up, to stand up and walk in the name of Jesus Christ(Acts 3:6).

Perhaps as he spoke to this man, Peter was remembering Jesus’ words and he was thinking to himself, “Whatever you ask in my (Jesus) name … believe…”

When God is the object of our faith, we can have an audacious faith—a faith that believes the impossible to be possible with Him.

We can know that we are speaking to someone who is able to do far more than we can even imagine (Ephesians 3:20-21), we can do even greater works than Jesus (John 14:12-14).

12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I go to the Father. 13  Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son; 14 if you ask[a] anything in my name, I will do it.

Jesus essentially says to us, I want you to pray in a way that says you actually truly believe in One God who is too wise to make mistakes, who is too kind to be cruel, and who is too powerful, unchangeable to be subdued by the great forces of the universe.

Don’t set aside these verses with hundred impossible improbable qualifications.

Just let them sit there in your spirit for a minute – preferably a whole lot longer.

Enjoy the truth that God is able to do things beyond anything you can imagine.

Rest secure in the indelible reality Father, Son, Spirit, know no impossibility.

And then ….

Pray Until Something Happens!

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Psalm 20 Revised Standard Version

Prayer for Victory

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

20 The Lord answer you in the day of trouble!
    The name of the God of Jacob protect you!
2 May he send you help from the sanctuary,
    and give you support from Zion!
3 May he remember all your offerings,
    and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices! Selah

4 May he grant you your heart’s desire,
    and fulfil all your plans!
5 May we shout for joy over your victory,
    and in the name of our God set up our banners!
May the Lord fulfil all your petitions!

6 Now I know that the Lord will help his anointed;
    he will answer him from his holy heaven
    with mighty victories by his right hand.
7 Some boast of chariots, and some of horses;
    but we boast of the name of the Lord our God.
8 They will collapse and fall;
    but we shall rise and stand upright.

9 Give victory to the king, O Lord;
    answer us when we call.[a]

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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I will not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the eyes of my heart are enlightened to see the surest, and truest hope we should all have in you. 2 Kings 6:17

2 Kings 6:14-20 Complete Jewish Bible

14 So he sent horses, chariots and a large army there; they came by night and surrounded the city. 15 The servant of the man of God got up early in the morning; on going outside, he saw an army with horses and chariots surrounding the city. His servant said to him, “Oh, my master, this is terrible! What are we going to do?” 16 He answered, “Don’t be afraid — those who are with us outnumber those who are with them!” 17 Elisha prayed, “Adonai, I ask you to open his eyes, so that he can see.” Then Adonai opened the young man’s eyes, and he saw: there before him, all around Elisha, the mountain was covered with horses and fiery chariots. 18 When they came down to him, Elisha prayed to Adonai, “Please strike these people blind”; and he struck them blind, as Elisha had asked. 19 Next, Elisha told them, “You’ve lost your way, and this isn’t even the right city. Follow me, and I’ll take you to the man you’re looking for.” Then he led them to Shomron. 20 On their arrival in Shomron, Elisha said, “Adonai, open the eyes of these men, so that they can see.” Adonai opened their eyes, and they saw: there they were, in the middle of Shomron.

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

Prophet Elisha’s servant was looking but not seeing. He saw only hopelessness. He saw the army of Aram surrounding their town, but he did not see the host of the angel Army protecting God’s people. He was walking in spiritual blindness.

We can be the same way.

We might see only disappointments, or discouragements, or hopelessness, our spiritual enemies descending with all their might, all around us, our dark souls.

We might fear the stranger, complain about the lazy, and point fingers at those who disagree. We might fear that the world is lost to the devil, and we are the ones who suffer. We might be baited, shackled to the idea of putting God aside so we all can earn our fortune and have fun, only to experience everlasting loss.

Elisha’s prayer is a great way to address our blindness to God’s sovereignty. We can pray, “Open our eyes, Lord, that we may see.” When our eyes are opened, we see our sin as the chief of sins and the lust of the flesh as rebellion against God.

And we finally see that Jesus has already won the victory. Christ already rules in heaven. This world is all in his hands. Have no fear, for we know that God wins.

When the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, “he looked up and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” All these angelic heavenly hosts were surrounding and protecting them. The servant’s fear melted away. If there is an Elisha warrior praying for us, God is on our side, who can stand against us?

Ephesians 1:15-21 Amplified Bible

15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers; 17 [I always pray] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may grant you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation [that gives you a deep and personal and intimate insight] into the true knowledge of Him [for we know the Father through the Son]. 18 And [I pray] that the eyes of your heart [the very center and core of your being] may be enlightened [flooded with light by the Holy Spirit], so that you will know and cherish the [a]hope [the divine guarantee, the confident expectation] to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the [b]saints (God’s people), 19 and [so that you will begin to know] what the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His [active, spiritual] power is in us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of His mighty strength 20 which He [c]produced in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion [whether angelic or human], and [far above] every name that is named [above every title that can be conferred], not only in this age and world but also in the one to come.

In order to go deeper in God, we must allow him to open the eyes of our hearts to see him as he truly is.

So often we settle in our relationship with him for that which can only be seen with our physical eyes.

We settle for community apart from unity in the Spirit, God’s word apart from revelation from the Spirit, and look to “open” or “closed” doors as our guide rather than making space to ask for the Holy Spirit’s leadership.

It’s time for us as the body of Christ to truly live in the fullness of relationship afforded to us by his sacrifice.

It’s for this reason, in Ephesians 1:16-19, Paul told the Church in Ephesus,

I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe.

We need the “eyes of our hearts” to be enlightened today.

We need the Holy Spirit to come and do a mighty work that we might no longer live only for that which is seen, but by faith pursue the unseen. 

Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” 

God longs for us to pursue the deeper things of him in faith. He longs for us to grow in our relationship with the Holy Spirit and learn to live life with his presence, leadership, voice, and love as the foundation for everything we do.

To live only by the things we can physically see is to live only for that which is temporal and fleeting. 

Psalm 101:3 says, “I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me.” 

God has worthwhile work in store for us. He has a plan to bring heaven to earth through our lives every day. But in order to make an impact on eternity we must be able to see, know the heart of God. We must become, as Elisha, increasingly aware of exactly how God feels and what he wants to do moment-by-moment.

Growing in our relationship with the Holy Spirit is the foundation of seeking the deeper things of God.

Learning to live by and with him is the only way to advance his kingdom.

Take time in guided prayer today to ask the Holy Spirit to open the eyes of your heart. Ask him to lead, guide and direct you into a deeper, far more connected relationship with him. And choose Elisha’s prayer today, to pursue a life marked by deep connection with your heavenly Father and powerful works of his Spirit.

17 Then Elisha prayed and said, “Lord, please, open his eyes that he may see.” And the Lord opened the servants eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire surrounding Elisha.

Guided Prayer:

1. Ask the Holy Spirit to open the eyes of your heart. Meditate on Scripture and take time to rest in his presence.

“Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.” Ephesians 1:18

“Then Elisha prayed and said, ‘O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.’ So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” 2 Kings 6:17

“The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the Lord has made them both.” Proverbs 20:12

2. Where have you been doing life apart from connectivity to the Spirit? Where have you been living temporally instead of for eternity?

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” John 14:16-17

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21

3. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you live connected to him today.

“Be filled with the Spirit.” Ephesians 5:18

“For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 12:13

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own” 1 Corinthians 6:19

Jesus promised us in Matthew 7:7, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” 

When we authentically seek all the blessings which God has to give such as being loved, being known, being provided for, and being filled with the Spirit, we can know that we will find what we seek.

The door to going deeper in God will always be opened whenever we come to it and knock.

God will never withhold himself from us when we purely desire more of him.

Have faith today in the perfect goodness of your heavenly Father and deeply pursue the deeper things of him that you might live in greater union with him.

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Sprit,

Let us Pray,

Psalm 42 Complete Jewish Bible

Book II: Psalms 42–72

42 (0) For the leader. A maskil of the descendants of Korach:

2 (1) Just as a deer longs for running streams,
God, I long for you.
3 (2) I am thirsty for God, for the living God!
When can I come and appear before God?

4 (3) My tears are my food, day and night,
while all day people ask me, “Where is your God?”
5 (4) I recall, as my feelings well up within me,
how I’d go with the crowd to the house of God,
with sounds of joy and praise from the throngs
observing the festival.

6 (5) My soul, why are you so downcast?
Why are you groaning inside me?
Hope in God, since I will praise him again
for the salvation that comes from his presence.
7 (6) My God, when I feel so downcast,
I remind myself of you
from the land of Yarden, from the peaks of Hermon,
from the hill Mizar.
8 (7) Deep is calling to deep
at the thunder of your waterfalls;
all your surging rapids and waves
are sweeping over me.
9 (8) By day Adonai commands his grace,
and at night his song is with me
as a prayer to the God of my life.
10 (9) I say to God my Rock,
“Why have you forgotten me?
Why must I go about mourning,
under pressure by the enemy?
11 (10) My adversaries’ taunts make me feel
as if my bones were crushed,
as they ask me all day long,
‘Where is your God?’ ”

12 (11) My soul, why are you so downcast?
Why are you groaning inside me?
Hope in God, since I will praise him again
for being my Savior and God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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Elohim Shama: The God Who Hears. Exodus 2:23-25

Exodus 2:23-25 Amplified Bible

23 Now it happened after a long time [about forty years] that the king of Egypt died. And the children of Israel (Jacob) groaned and sighed because of the bondage, and they cried out. And their cry for help because of their bondage  [a]ascended to God. 24  So God heard their groaning and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Israel). 25 God saw the sons of Israel, and God took notice [of them]  and was concerned about them [knowing all, understanding all, remembering all].

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

The beginning of the beloved Christmas movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” depicts many people praying simultaneously, and the juxtaposition of voices — to our ears — becomes a cacophony of noise.

How exactly, we wonder, does God separate each voice to hear individual prayers? Does He answer them all? Then we wonder, “Does God hear me?”

The question posed is a perplexing one when viewed through our human lens.

How does God keep everyone’s praises and prayers straight?

How does He hear them all?

And, in a far more personal nature, how exactly do I know He hears me?

The answer, of course, is to regard who God is and how we are to “see” Him according to what Scripture teaches us.

We’ll investigate what the Bible says, and because of what His Word says, we are assured He does hear Christians’ prayers (which encompasses all of our communication with God).

We will understand God gives “ear” to our needs according to His will and according to His own timing.

Where Does the Bible Say God Hears Us?

The Bible is God-breathed, meaning He inspired the writers to impart His exact words into the canon of Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16).

When we read the Bible, we are reading God’s very words to us.

Therefore, any implication about God hearing the writers tells us He hears us.

In fact, one of His covenant names is Elohim Shama – The God who hears (Exodus 2:24; Psalm 139:1; Philippians 4:19; Hebrews 4:14-16).

Yes, He hears us.

What is Elohim Shama in Hebrew?

“Elohim Shama” is not an official name of God, it refers to the fact that God hears… He listens, He Hears.

Elohim Shama: The God who Listens, The God Who Hears

But He doesn’t merely hear our words; He is also moved by the unvoiced groanings of our hearts (Romans 8:26).

What does Shama means in the Bible?

to hear, to listen

Obedience in Hebrew is: shama (שָׁמַע). It means to hear, to listen, to give attention, to understand, to submit to, and to obey.

There is only one word in Hebrew for obedience, and it is this word – shama.

This Hebrew word is also generally translated as “hear”.

What does Jehovah Shammah mean?

“The Lord is There”

Jehovah-Shammah is found Ezekiel 48:35,

“The distance around the entire city will be 6 miles. And from that day the name of the city will be ‘The Lord is There.”

Jehovah-Shammah is the name of God that means I am the Lord who is there and is symbolic of Jerusalem. This name promises His presence.

The following short list cements the truth God hears us:

King David cried to the Lord in many psalms, and he knew God heard him.

Psalm 6:8-9 English Standard Version

8 Depart from me, all you workers of evil,
    for the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping.
9 The Lord has heard my plea;
    the Lord accepts my prayer.

Psalm 18:6-19 English Standard Version

6 In my distress I called upon the Lord;
    to my God I cried for help.
From his temple he heard my voice,
    and my cry to him reached his ears.

7 Then the earth reeled and rocked;
    the foundations also of the mountains trembled
    and quaked, because he was angry.
8 Smoke went up from his nostrils,[a]
    and devouring fire from his mouth;
    glowing coals flamed forth from him.
9 He bowed the heavens and came down;
    thick darkness was under his feet.
10 He rode on a cherub and flew;
    he came swiftly on the wings of the wind.
11 He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him,
    thick clouds dark with water.
12 Out of the brightness before him
    hailstones and coals of fire broke through his clouds.

13 The Lord also thundered in the heavens,
    and the Most High uttered his voice,
    hailstones and coals of fire.
14 And he sent out his arrows and scattered them;
    he flashed forth lightnings and routed them.
15 Then the channels of the sea were seen,
    and the foundations of the world were laid bare
at your rebuke, O Lord,
    at the blast of the breath of your nostrils.

16 He sent from on high, he took me;
    he drew me out of many waters.
17 He rescued me from my strong enemy
    and from those who hated me,
    for they were too mighty for me.
18 They confronted me in the day of my calamity,
    but the Lord was my support.
19 He brought me out into a broad place;
    he rescued me, because he delighted in me.

Psalm 19 English Standard Version

The Law of the Lord Is Perfect

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

19 The heavens declare the glory of God,
    and the sky above[a] proclaims his handiwork.
2 Day to day pours out speech,
    and night to night reveals knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words,
    whose voice is not heard.
4 Their voice[b] goes out through all the earth,
    and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun,
5     which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
    and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
    and its circuit to the end of them,
    and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

7 The law of the Lord is perfect,[c]
    reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
    making wise the simple;
8 the precepts of the Lord are right,
    rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
    enlightening the eyes;
9 the fear of the Lord is clean,
    enduring forever;
the rules[d] of the Lord are true,
    and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
    even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
    and drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
    in keeping them there is great reward.

12 Who can discern his errors?
    Declare me innocent from hidden faults.
13 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins;
    let them not have dominion over me!
Then I shall be blameless,
    and innocent of great transgression.

14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
    be acceptable in your sight,
    O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

The psalmist, Asaph, wrote a definitive and uncontestable verse which tells us God hears us, “I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, and He will hear me” (Psalm 77:1).

The Lord Jesus tells us He (God) hears us, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7).

How Does God Hear Us?

We must remember God is wholly unlike any of His creation.

He does not “listen” as do we, for we cannot fathom all He is.

When we listen to someone, our minds are, more often than not, racing around in distraction, thinking about what’s for lunch, or how many minutes are left on my parking meter, silly things such as what some other person was thinking when they decided on a particular hair style.

We’d love it if our thoughts could be completely focused on our subject and what they are saying, but we often “aren’t there,” we miss important details.

For our mighty God, however, His listening skills are perfect.

We never need worry He is otherwise distracted, because in His infinite being, He “hears” perfectly, beyond our scope of comprehension.

God is Spirit (John 4:24); He has no physical nature that would include eyes, ears, etc.

Lest we get caught in theological details about God as Spirit, however, we need to understand how God “hears.”

Due to God’s sovereign condescension, He has graciously chosen to reveal Himself to us by speaking in ways that we can understand.

The Bible, therefore, uses anthropomorphic language to give us God’s revelation of Himself to humankind.

The immutable truth is God is incomprehensible, yet in His kindness has chosen to make Himself known in a way to which we can relate. God, in His omniscience, already knows everything, including what we will soon pray.

Because God has incommunicable attributes such as omniscience, omnipresence, omnipotence, etc., we are only able to comprehend Him via His communicable (moral) attributes and we were, created in His Image to reflect God in them, albeit not equally (only He is perfect in His moral attributes).

God “hears” us because of who He is and how He created us in His image.

Pastor and theologian R.C. Sproul adds,

“We are a composite being made up of body and spirit. We are spiritual yet finite humans; God is infinite Spirit who is not bound by a body.”

As far as God’s holy essence is completely different from His creation,

“God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change his mind. Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not fulfill it?” (Numbers 23:19).

Yet God deigns to intervene in the works of man, to vividly reveal His love of us by the Scripture that speaks truthfully of how He hears our cries (Psalm 61:1).

What if I Don’t Feel Like God Hears Me?

We cannot expect God to answer us with an audible voice from heaven or with a “sign.” What we have is the Holy Scriptures, and from the Holy Spirit working in us through them, we “receive understanding, insight, and wisdom.” 

2 Peter 1:3 gives us great hope, “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence.”

It is through the Bible we learn about the Lord Jesus and grow in His grace and knowledge. As we read and study God’s Word, we learn how He wants us to live, and our prayers and petitions will be guided by His Spirit based on His Word.

No matter our emotional state or physical circumstances, God listens, hears our cries to Him.

It’s true God always answers our prayers.

The answer is either, “yes,” “no,” or “wait.” We are, however, a people who desire and sometimes demand immediate answers, so waiting is very hard.

But as we wait for His answers, we are to occupy ourselves with kingdom work and with careful study of the Bible.

As we take the time to learn more of God’s Word, many answers to our prayers will become apparent, will be revealed to us by Holy Spirit, and we can act in a righteous manner because of how God has revealed His will through his Word.

So then, when God graciously and mercifully answers our prayers, the solutions will come through the study of His Word and/or godly counsel, wisdom, from a more mature believer who knows Scripture and daily strives to live a holy life.

“When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles” (Psalm 34:17).

Here we need to remember deliverance may come here, or not until heaven.

We can pray with confidence because God does hear us and He will respond.

We may think He is silent, but when we remember He speaks to us every day through His Word (Psalm 19, Hebrews 4:12), we know He isn’t being silent; we’re just looking for our answers to “materialize: in all those wrong places.

We aren’t to go to the Lord with demands, for when He hears us, He’s listening to see if we are coming before Him with hearts that are being sanctified as we attempt to live holy lives.

The Bible speaks of God’s omniscience, “Who has measured the Spirit of the LORD, or what man shows Him his counsel? Whom did He consult, and who made him understand? Who taught him the path of justice, and taught Him knowledge, and showed Him the way of understanding?” (Isaiah 40:13-14).

God knows what we will ask before it is even on our hearts (Psalm 139:4), and, more importantly, He knows what we need.

“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him” (Matthew 6:7-8).

This passage tells us what to pray for, and it precedes the Disciples’ Prayer, which teaches us how to pray (Matthew 6:9-13).

How Should I Pray?

We saw above the Lord Jesus taught His disciples (we too as Christians are His disciples) how to pray.

The Apostle John later wrote, “And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of Him” (1 John 5:14-15, emphasis added).

At first glance, it appears He will give us we want, but that’s not the case.

The key phrase is, according to His will. 

How do we know His will? By fearing God and keeping His commandments, which King Solomon said is the “whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

We know Him by His creation (general revelation) and by His Word (special revelation).

Nicodemus, learned from Jesus the only way to know His will is to become a Christian, grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus by immersing yourself in His Word, and surrounding yourself with godly people (the church).

John 3:1-8 English Standard Version

You Must Be Born Again

3 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus[a] by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again[b] he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.[c] 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You[d]  must be born again.’ 8 The wind[e] blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Once we do all of that, we will come before the Lord with right motives and petitions, with patience as He hears, answers our prayers in His perfect time.

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Psalm 4 Complete Jewish Bible

4 (0) For the leader. With stringed instruments. A psalm of David:

2 (1) O God, my vindicator!
Answer me when I call!
When I was distressed, you set me free;
now have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.

3 (2) Men of rank, how long will you shame my honor,
love what is vain, chase after lies? (Selah)
4 (3) Understand that Adonai sets apart
the godly person for himself;
Adonai will hear when I call to him.
5 (4) You can be angry, but do not sin!
Think about this as you lie in bed,
and calm down. (Selah)
6 (5) Offer sacrifices rightly,
and put your trust in Adonai.

7 (6) Many ask, “Who can show us some good?”
Adonai, lift the light of your face over us!
8 (7) You have filled my heart with more joy
than all their grain and new wine.
9 (8) I will lie down and sleep in peace;
for, Adonai, you alone make me live securely.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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Are We Believing the Promise That God Will Take Care of Us? How Can We Turn Adversity into Opportunity Like the Apostle Paul? Acts28:21-31

Acts 28:21-31 The Message

21-22 They said, “Nobody wrote warning us about you. And no one has shown up saying anything bad about you. But we would like very much to hear more. The only thing we know about this Christian sect is that nobody seems to have anything good to say about it.”

23 They agreed on a time. When the day arrived, they came back to his home with a number of their friends. Paul talked to them all day, from morning to evening, explaining everything involved in the kingdom of God, and trying to persuade them all about Jesus by pointing out what Moses and the prophets had written about him.

24-27 Some of them were persuaded by what he said, but others refused to believe a word of it. When the unbelievers got cantankerous and started bickering with each other, Paul interrupted: “I have just one more thing to say to you. The Holy Spirit sure knew what he was talking about when he addressed our ancestors through Isaiah the prophet:

Go to this people and tell them this:
“You’re going to listen with your ears,
    but you won’t hear a word;
You’re going to stare with your eyes,
    but you won’t see a thing.
These people are blockheads!
They stick their fingers in their ears
    so they won’t have to listen;
They screw their eyes shut
    so they won’t have to look,
    so they won’t have to deal with me face-to-face
    and let me heal them.”

28 “You’ve had your chance. The non-Jewish outsiders are next on the list. And believe me, they’re going to receive it with open arms!”

30-31 Paul lived for two years in his rented house. He welcomed everyone who came to visit. He urgently presented all matters of the kingdom of God. He explained everything about Jesus Christ. His door was always open.

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

GOD Will Take Care of Me? I Just Got Bit by a Poisonous Snake!

Yes! No! Maybe Maybe Not? I Doubt it! Not Worth Believing! Not Worth One Single Moment of My Time! You’ll Stop Talking and Just Keep Walking on By! Not on Any Day of the Week Which has a ‘Y’ at the End of it! Tell it to the Hand!

In moments of despair, depression, and disillusionment, we all need to take a cue from our brother Paul and shake it off. Literally, Paul shook the snake off him and didn’t suffer any effects from what should have been a lethal bite.

Friend, I’m gonna tell on myself and keep it real here: I am hardcore horrible at shaking things off and choosing to believe the best. But so I want to emphasize shaking off disillusionment is key to getting back up when life knocks us down.

And when we shake all of that slithering snake bit envenomated trash off us, we need not make ourselves, obligate ourselves, suffer any ill effects from it either.

Meaning, when you start spiraling into disillusionment, you have to first stop obsessing over the lie that you have been abandoned by God and shake it off.

But we have to be assertive, we have to be God seeking, ready to take things a step further, make sure the venom of catastrophizing isn’t lingering inside us.

Paul learned the hardcore way what we have to learn, too: when you make it through the storm and all hell breaks loose on the shore— when you’ve been through all and it still keeps coming— we’ve got to pick up our Bibles, read the Word of God, Pray and Pray some more. God will hear us and we shake! it! off!

Bad memories? Bad Experiences? Bad Judgement? Bad Choices? Bad Decisions? Bad Results! Catastrophic Results! Lingering Results! My Sin is ever before Me!

Who of humanity can actually, genuinely, truthfully claim they have not been there, done that, have one or two or 10 mega tons of hardcore hardened regret?

I Suggest Raise Up! Pray Up! Pound your chest right now and say, “Get off me!”

Nah, you didn’t do it.

By my own confession, personal experience; You didn’t say it out loud. You said it in our head, and that doesn’t count. Say it out loud so the whole of your soul is shaken, is stirred, you can hear yourself, feel yourself, making that declaration.

Say it again so you feel it in your soul.

Say it a third time so the devil and his demons start shaking!

The Bible gives no record of Paul screaming, running around, or freaking out.

Why?

I think it’s because he didn’t do any of that.

Paul knew he wasn’t going to die on Malta.

Paul didn’t make a scene because he knew Rome was waiting, Rome was where Paul would proclaim the gospel of the risen Messiah before Caesar himself.

Well, friend, I’m with Paul.

I’m not going to inflict more suffering upon myself die on my Malta, because my arrest, prison in Rome is waiting too. Paul told his crew in the middle of a storm, “This has to happen.” And I’m telling myself, “This has to happen” too. 

If you are shipwrecked and gasping, grasping for life, you’ve been on “Malta” trying to figure out why you’re there, I want to point you back to the who.

Who is in control of your life?

Who cares? Who loves you? Who gave you the vision or dream for your life?

I pray that you answered “God” to all of those questions, stand firm in the faith that has brought you this far. It’s time to shake off the disillusionment.

This action isn’t just for you.

It’s for everyone who is watching you too!

See, when Paul got bit by the snake, no one came around him to help.

Everyone stood there, watched to see what he would do or what would happen.

Child of God, people are watching you.

People are always going to be watching you and for you, to start that fatal walk.

People are waiting for you to lose it, to walk away, or to curl up and die. But look at you! You are still here, still surviving and steadfastly refusing to ever give up.

I’m standing up! I am putting my running shoes on and tying them tight. and giving God some praise because God is still here, you are going to shake it off.

Speed Dial God Pick, Pray, yourself up and get ready because Rome is waiting.

Do we know what to do in our own Malta?

If we find ourselves there, how should we live?

Remember, dear friend, Paul didn’t want to go to Malta either.

Visiting Malta was not at all in his plan.

And yet . . .

When a viper attacks Paul, the local islanders think he will die. But Paul shakes the snake off, and no harm comes to him. When Paul does not die, the people think he is a god. But no, Paul is not a god. He does represent God, however.

Paul is almost all the way to Rome, but the witness of God through him continues every step of the way. Paul is on Malta because of a storm and a shipwreck. Paul gathers kindling for bringing warmth. And God continues to take care of him in different ways. God also takes care of the people of Malta.

The chief official of the island opens his home to welcome the shipwrecked visitors. During this time, God heals the official’s sick father through Paul.

A single moment of recognizing opportunity, sharing hospitality, becomes the momentous setting to see God’s healing power, many others are healed also.

At first glance, we see Paul shipwrecked on an island, delayed for three months on his journey to Rome. But soon we can see that God has brought Paul and the others there to bring presence, assurance, healing and the good news of Jesus.

In addition, we see God taking care of Paul and the others by bringing them to Malta. But then we also see that God takes care of Malta by bringing Paul and the others there and we witness the testimony of the healed being sent forth!

And as they travel on to Rome, they meet other people and are welcomed and encouraged. Doors are kept open! God, the Disciples are visible, welcoming!

May we too take heart and learn from God this day.

May we the Body of Christ, His Church in the world, be people who look again and again to see our God who is always at work taking care of us and others.

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Psalm 46 The Message

46 1-3 God is a safe place to hide,
    ready to help when we need him.
We stand fearless at the cliff-edge of doom,
    courageous in seastorm and earthquake,
Before the rush and roar of oceans,
    the tremors that shift mountains.

    Jacob-wrestling God fights for us,
    God-of-Angel-Armies protects us.

4-6 River fountains splash joy, cooling God’s city,
    this sacred haunt of the Most High.
God lives here, the streets are safe,
    God at your service from crack of dawn.
Godless nations rant and rave, kings and kingdoms threaten,
    but Earth does anything he says.

7     Jacob-wrestling God fights for us,
    God-of-Angel-Armies protects us.

8-10 Attention, all! See the marvels of God!
    He plants flowers and trees all over the earth,
Bans war from pole to pole,
    breaks all the weapons across his knee.
“Step out of the traffic! Take a long,
    loving look at me, your High God,
    above politics, above everything.”

11     Jacob-wrestling God fights for us,
    God-of-Angel-Armies protects us.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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Never Forget 9/11! Never Forget God! Nor ever Forget the Lord’s Prayer: it is His Meaning behind the Powerful Phrase ‘For Thine Is the Kingdom’! Matthew 6:5-13

Matthew 6:5-13 King James Version

5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

T0day, marks the 23rd anniversary of the attack against the United States known simply as 9/11. That day is a day that is ingrained into to each of us old enough to remember. Looking back, it is hard to believe 23 years have passed.

I recall hearing of the first tower being struck by a plane. At first it seemed it was a horrible accident. It was not even clear what type of plane it was, whose plane it was, was it Hollywood special effects, a preview of a new epic movie?

What is your story from that day?

Where were you on that day?

Where on earth or in Heaven Was GOD?

On that day, the death toll from the four commercial aircraft, the Pentagon, and the World Trade Towers totaled 2,996 with another 6,000 injured. That is not the whole story. Nearly 10,000 first responders and volunteers have since been diagnosed with cancers caused by the toxic fumes & dust. Quoting the USA Today newspaper, “By the end of 2018, many expect that more people will have died from their toxic exposure from 9/11 than were killed on that terrible day.”

I had questions……. If we are honest with ourselves, …I bet we all had questions following that day.

Why would a religion that was supposedly built upon peace, teach and demonstrate that much hate & violence towards others?

Do you recall all of the celebrating & parades shown from the Arab world?

…. More importantly to me, and my faith, Where was GOD during this? …. Why does GOD even allow such violent and murderous things like this to happen?

I was shocked. I was confused. I was hurt. I was crying I was angry, I was scared.

I didn’t know what was coming next.

An all out attack upon the United States?

Had somebody made a declaration of war against us?

Was God’s day of judgement coming and coming right quick?

I was questioning GOD….and I didn’t even know if it was alright to question GOD. For all I knew, GOD might strike me down just for challenging HIM.

After all, I just saw what happened on television and who knows any details, who knows how many people were just suddenly killed and severely injured?

Today, I’d like to share what I’ve discovered since.

Maybe this will help some of you as well. The first thing I have learned is that GOD, His Kingdom is definitely big enough to handle our stresses, questions.

He has a whole universe which He created. HE has broad shoulders. GOD is not petty. HE did not give up on me, even when I was close to giving up on HIM.

The second thing I learned was that I wasn’t even the first person to question GOD. In fact, the Bible offers several examples of this very thing.

In Psalm 10:1, the writer asks Why do You stand afar off, O Lord? Why do You hide in times of trouble?

Jesus Himself asked this same question in Mathew 27:46 about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”

The destruction of the Twin Towers was devastating to me, watching it over & over the collapse of the buildings, the billowing black clouds of smoke, the dead being carried out, the ash collecting upon cars and on the faces of those on site.

Your Kingdom Come

“This . . . is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. . . .’” —  Matthew 6:9-10

Most of us are confronted by many challenges – some simple others are not so simple but greatly challenge our faith, face many, many choices each day too.

On a daily basis, What clothes will I wear? What will I have for breakfast? What route will I take to work? What do I need at the store? Tasks will I focus on?

There is one choice, however, that is far more important than all the others: God, His Word’s on the matter before us and Prayer, Which kingdom will I serve? Where will I spend my best efforts—in the kingdom of God or in the kingdom or domain or country or community or family that I am dwelling in?

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and Holy Spirit, where can I help, how can I serve, how can I support those around me, who need it most?

Jesus teaches us to pray, “Father . . . your kingdom come.”

As we pray these words, we are making a commitment to living God’s way.

“Your kingdom come” means, first of all, “Rule over me! Master my soul. Make me a loyal citizen of your kingdom.” It means, “Lord, rule in my life and master me in such a way that my deepest desire is to walk with you. May your principles and ways be the air that I breathe.”

“Your kingdom come” also means, “Help me to see your kingdom advance in the people around me—my family, friends, classmates, coworkers, and neighbors. Help me to foster a love for kingdom living in them as well.”

This also means seeing institutions and organizations abide, align with those principles of God’s kingdom. And as the Lord’s kingdom comes, is revealed and acts, any evil forces that revolt against him will be overwhelmed and shattered.

My Lord and Savior’s Prayer and My Life’s Prayer

Philippians 3:7-14 The Message

7-9 The very credentials these people are waving around as something special, I’m tearing up and throwing out with the trash—along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ. Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant—dog dung. I’ve dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be embraced by him. I didn’t want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ—God’s righteousness.

10-11 I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself. If there was any way to get in on the resurrection from the dead, I wanted to do it.

Focused on the Goal

12-14 I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.

I read where researchers in Europe went door to door, asking people about their belief in God. One question was this:

“Do you believe in a God who intervenes in human lives, who changes the course of history, and performs miracles?” A typical response to this question was “No, I don’t believe in that God. I believe in the ordinary God.”

I admit that it can be tempting to fall back in our faith, prefer “the ordinary God”—that is, a God who is there when I need him but who remains mostly quiet and who cares how distant in the background while I go about my life.

Fortunately the Scriptures do not let us settle with that notion of an ordinary God. The Jesus we meet in the New Testament entered our world, carried our burden of sin to the cross, bled, died in our place, and then rose from the dead and later ascended to rule with God in heaven. This is not any “ordinary God.”

The God of the Bible does in fact break into our lives in all kinds of surprising, beautiful, and disruptive ways.

John 3:16-18 The Message

16-18 “This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.

In fact, the one true God is beyond anyone’s broadest definition of the term extraordinary. And all of this is conveyed in this remarkable prayer of Paul:

“God, I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings” and then to experience that resurrection as well.

What a prayer!

How would my life, your life, our lives change if this became our life’s prayer?

What could happen if we all prayed this “Lord’s Prayer” this “my life’s prayer” for the people in my life, in your life and in all our fellow Body of Christ lives?

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Psalm 32 The Message

32 Count yourself lucky, how happy you must be—
    you get a fresh start,
    your slate’s wiped clean.

2 Count yourself lucky—
    God holds nothing against you
    and you’re holding nothing back from him.

3 When I kept it all inside,
    my bones turned to powder,
    my words became daylong groans.

4 The pressure never let up;
    all the juices of my life dried up.

5 Then I let it all out;
    I said, “I’ll come clean about my failures to God.”

Suddenly the pressure was gone—
    my guilt dissolved,
    my sin disappeared.

6 These things add up. Every one of us needs to pray;
    when all hell breaks loose and the dam bursts
    we’ll be on high ground, untouched.

7 God’s my island hideaway,
    keeps danger far from the shore,
    throws garlands of hosannas around my neck.

8 Let me give you some good advice;
    I’m looking you in the eye
    and giving it to you straight:

9 “Don’t be ornery like a horse or mule
    that needs bit and bridle
    to stay on track.”

10 God-defiers are always in trouble;
    God-affirmers find themselves loved
    every time they turn around.

11 Celebrate God.
    Sing together—everyone!
    All you honest hearts, raise the roof!

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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Unshakable, Immovable, Unchanging Traits of God to Quell and Quiet Fear. Hebrews 13:8-14

Hebrews 13:8-14 Amplified Bible

8 Jesus Christ is [eternally changeless, always] the same yesterday and today and forever. 9 Do not be carried away by diverse and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be established and strengthened by grace and not by foods [rules of diet and ritualistic meals], which bring no benefit or spiritual growth to those who observe them. 10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle (sacred tent) have no right to eat. 11 For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest as an offering for sin, are burned outside the camp. 12 Therefore Jesus also suffered and died outside the [city] gate so that He might sanctify and set apart for God as holy the people [who believe] through [the shedding of] His own blood. 13 So, let us go out to Him outside the [a]camp, bearing His contempt [the disgrace and shame that He had to suffer]. 14 For here we have no lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.

The Word of God for the Children of God.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

When my world feels uncertain and my circumstances too overwhelming, I intentionally bolster my peace by reflecting upon the unchanging attributes of God. The more I extend myself to understand and contemplate who God is, in all of His great vastness, the less frightening my greatest challenges appear.

Scripture assures me He is alert to every danger, present in my crises, the inexhaustible source for all I need, more powerful than my greatest foe, and the Supreme Ruler who always retains full control.

What’s more, the Mighty Creator of all that ever has or ever will exist loves You and I with an indelibly perfect, fierce, and relentless love. To put it simply, the Commander of heaven’s armies, Yahweh Sabaoth in Hebrew, is f100% for us.

While numerous Bible passages reveal these truths, I find particular comfort in historical accounts that reveal God’s hand demonstrating these traits in action.

1. God Knows All

Numerous places in Scripture demonstrate what scholars refer to as God’s omniscience, His perfect knowledge of all things, past, present and future.

One example I’ve reflected on in uncomfortable seasons comes from Exodus 13.

This was immediately after the Lord rescued His people from 400 years of slavery and oppression in Egypt.

Verses 17-18 state, “When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, ‘If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.’ So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt ready for battle.”

1 Samuel 9-10 provides another example of God’s perfect foreknowledge in the circumstances surrounding the anointing of ancient Israel’s second king.

This story begins when a man named Saul, along with a family servant, went in search of his father’s donkey.

After an extensive journey, he wanted to give up and return home, but his servant convinced him to visit “a man of God” in the nearby town (1 Sam. 9:6).

Meanwhile, God told this man, named Samuel, to expect someone “from the land of Benjamin,” whom he was to anoint as ruler. Saul appeared, as the Lord had said, and Samuel did as commanded. 

These passages remind me of two important truths.

First, God uses His wisdom for my benefit.

Second, I am usually oblivious to the dangers ahead. With these things in mind, I’m less apt to quickly respond to life’s apparent detours and delays with angst.

No matter what we encounter, we can trust that God has good, hope-filled plans for us (Jer. 29:11), ordained by Him before we took our first breath (Eph. 2:10). He has already forged our path, alert to our every challenge and mistake, and already accounted for each fork, obstacle, personal weakness on my road.

2. God Remains Close to His Children

One of the most obvious examples of God’s constant presence occurred during what scholars refer to as ancient Israel’s 40 long years of desert wanderings.

Once again, this was directly following their liberation from Egypt.

In Exodus 13:21-22 we read,

“By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.”

God could’ve led His people in numerous ways. He could have whispered His guidance to Moses, their earthly leader. He could have instructed someone to give them a map designating their steps from Northern Africa to the Promised Land. Or, He could have simply instructed Moses through dreams and visions.

While He may indeed have done that, He also ensured that everyone in the group – from young to old – could visibly see His presence going before them.

This tells me that He wanted more than external obedience. The Lord wanted His people to know and trust Him. No doubt He understood how overwhelming their desert travels felt, and so He fed them, comforted them, with Himself.

At night, when anxious thoughts threatened to steal their sleep, they could look to the light emanating above them and rest assured the Lord was always near.

During the day, when the sandy expanse stretching before them elicited a sense of panic, they could once again glance up and know they weren’t ever alone.

Their Creator, Redeemer, and Provider would never leave.

He makes the same promise to us.

In Hebrews 13:5, we’re told that “God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’”

Jesus spoke the same assurance in Matthew 28:20 when He said, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

3. God Provides

When financial struggles come, my fear and anxiety tempts me to develop a survivalist mentality. This, in turn, drives me to hoard my resources rather than live with peace and generosity. When our income sources seem too unstable or unexpected bills flood our mailbox, I find solace in His unchanging faithfulness.

As Scripture proclaims, “He owns the cattle on a thousand hills” (Psalm 50:10), He “causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:45), and He “will meet all [our] needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19).

He is not and never will be limited by our circumstances, bank account, or ever-shifting economy.

My favorite biblical accounts of His abundance and care comes from 1 Kings 17.

During this time, an evil king named Ahab ruled Judah. He married a Sidonian princess named Jezebel and began to worship pagan deities (Baal and Asherah).

Because of their shared wicked behavior, God caused a devastating drought that extended throughout Judah and beyond to Sidon, Jezebel’s birthplace and the city that manufactured Baal idols.

The Lord told His prophet Elijah to “go at once” to a widow living there who would supply him with food.

God’s directive couldn’t have been more unexpected. Not only was He sending Elijah to a pagan land, but He was promising to provide through one of the most destitute people in the ancient world.

In 1 Kings 17:10-12, we read

“When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, ‘Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?’ As she was going to get it, he called, ‘And bring me, please, a piece of bread.’ ‘As surely as the Lord your God lives,’ she replied, ‘I don’t have any bread — only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it — and die.’

But Elijah knew God’s provisional power extended well beyond the meager staples this woman possessed.

Therefore, he said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do what you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel says, ‘the jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land’” (1 Kings 17:13-14).

She did as Elijah asked, and God provided food for her, her family, and His prophet, just exactly as He’d promised.

Our Father can multiply our meager resources into abundance and withhold the figurative pestilence that might otherwise deplete them. He owns all, has power overall, and faithfully cares for all – us and our loved ones included.

4. God Holds All Authority

2 Chronicles 20 records a time when a vast army invaded the northern kingdom of Judah and was advancing toward the capital city of Jerusalem.

By the time the king, Jehoshaphat, learned of this, the enemies had already reached the vast oasis at En Gedi, a mere 30 miles away. Terrified, the king immediately sought the Lord, gathered his people, and declared a national fast.

He stood before them in front of the Temple courtyard and prayed, addressing the Lord as the God of their ancestors who resided in heaven and ruled over all kingdoms and nations.

At this point in history, most individuals believed deities ruled over, and were largely limited to, certain areas or city states. Whenever war broke out and one group of people prevailed against another, they assumed this also meant that their god had prevailed, thereby conquering and seizing the land.

But the Almighty had made it clear, way back when he liberated His people from Egypt and its numerous manmade “deities,” that He alone reigned over all of humanity. In his desperate prayer, King Jehoshaphat proclaimed this truth.

God wasn’t confined to one particular local or community.

The One who always had and always would remain with His people also existed in heaven, and therefor, above all. From there, He reigned over all, and no one and nothing could ever hope to overcome, withstand Him or thwart His plans.

In the events that followed, the Lord verified every word the king uttered when He alone defeated Judah’s attackers. The ancient Israelites didn’t have to raise an arrow or a sword. They’d faced their enemies, in faith, singing God’s praises, and He fought their battle and secured the victory.

This is as true to today as it was during the time of King Jehoshaphat. Our God is for us, and as Romans 8:31 states, “If God is for us, who can be against us?”

1 Timothy 6:11-16 Amplified Bible

11 But as for you, [a]O man of God, flee from these things; aim at and pursue righteousness [true goodness, moral conformity to the character of God], godliness [the fear of God], faith, love, steadfastness, and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith [in the conflict with evil]; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and [for which] you made the good confession [of faith] in the presence of many witnesses. 13 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and [in the presence] of Christ Jesus, who made the good confession [in His testimony] before Pontius Pilate,  14 to keep all His precepts without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which He will bring about in His own time—He who is the blessed and only Sovereign [the absolute Ruler], the King of those who reign as kings and Lord of those who rule as lords, 16 He alone possesses immortality [absolute exemption from death], lives in unapproachable light, whom no man has ever seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal power and  dominion! Amen.

Although our news channels tell us today’s leaders have the capacity to destroy the foundations upon which our country rests, Scripture assures us that our Savior always retains full control. May we consistently shift our focus off the world’s fearmongering and onto our loving, all-knowing, ever-present God of abundance who unquestionably reigns over all and will never be dethroned.

In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,

Let us Pray,

Psalm 46 The Message

46 1-3 God is a safe place to hide,
    ready to help when we need him.
We stand fearless at the cliff-edge of doom,
    courageous in seastorm and earthquake,
Before the rush and roar of oceans,
    the tremors that shift mountains.

    Jacob-wrestling God fights for us,
    God-of-Angel-Armies protects us.

4-6 River fountains splash joy, cooling God’s city,
    this sacred haunt of the Most High.
God lives here, the streets are safe,
    God at your service from crack of dawn.
Godless nations rant and rave, kings and kingdoms threaten,
    but Earth does anything he says.

7     Jacob-wrestling God fights for us,
    God-of-Angel-Armies protects us.

8-10 Attention, all! See the marvels of God!
    He plants flowers and trees all over the earth,
Bans war from pole to pole,
    breaks all the weapons across his knee.
“Step out of the traffic! Take a long,
    loving look at me, your High God,
    above politics, above everything.”

11     Jacob-wrestling God fights for us,
    God-of-Angel-Armies protects us.

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.

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