Tag: pray

Amiss

James 4:3

Thank you Father, for your word (that I don’t read).
Thank you Father, for your grace (that I don’t appreciate).
Thank you Father, for your power (that I don’t acknowledge).
Thank you Father, for your mercy (that I don’t recognize).
Thank you Father, for your love (that I take for granted).

Oftentimes, we go through life, acting as if God owes us something. We pray just for the sake of doing it, live how we want, do whatever we want, and fail to acknowledge all the good God does for us. God gave us His word, yet we rarely study it. We are daily loaded with grace and mercy, but we fail to appreciate it. The power of the almighty God can be seen all over the world, yet we place our confidence in frail men. God is love, and He allowed His love to take on the sins of all mankind, yet men ignorantly take Him for granted. When we pray, be sure our words align with our actions. When we spew vain words to God, we pray amiss, and the Father does not hear us. Let your life and your words always be pleasing to God, so when you pray, He will hear you, and He will answer you.

Good Representation

Psalm 38

How well do you represent godly living in all areas of your life? Can your family, coworkers, neighbors and friends easily tell whether you are dedicated to living a life of holiness, or not? It’s easy to look the part of a believer in church, or amongst those gathered for religious purposes, but how well do you represent godliness outside of the church walls, and in the company of those who do not share your beliefs? Are you easily entertained by unhealthy conversations at work, or do family members know the right buttons to push, that will cause you to act out of character? Representing God in a fallen world isn’t always easy, but if one diligently commits to doing as the Lord commanded, He will always direct their steps, by His Spirit.

Keep Hope Alive!

Isaiah 6:1-5

The world has reached an unprecedented level of spiritual immorality. The Bible records instances when God judged entire nations of people harshly, for going against His commands, and entertaining profane and blasphemous behaviors. God hates sin, and gives no place for it, but men today seem to have literally lost their moral compass, and given in to all manner of evil and wickedness. Even some who claim to be children of God, have been tossed about, and soiled by false doctrines, causing them to walk not after the Spirit, but after the flesh. In the midst of living in a world where holiness has seemingly lost its relevance, the body of Christ must not lose sight of the thrice holy God. God is holy, meaning He is pure, morally perfect, and righteous, and He expects the same behavior to be represented by those who have been redeemed, and set free from sin. In those moments when we begin to lose sight of how immensely powerful and perfect God is, take a second to graze through the Bible, and build your faith and hope on the eternal, and all-knowing Father. The world can be a scary sight to behold at times, but knowing who holds the world in their hand, should restore the confidence many who trust in Him may have lost.

Be… So That God Can Do…

Various Scriptures

Oftentimes, we pray to God, seek His face, and hope for change in our lives, but we hardly see immediate results. Most of the time, all we have to do is, be who God called us to be, so that He can do what He promised to do for His people.

Love the Lord… and he will preserve you.
-Psalm 31:23

Be of good courage, and he will strengthen your heart…
-Psalm 31:24

Delight in the LORD, and will give you the desires of your heart.
-Psalm 37:4

Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land.
-Psalm 37:34

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
-Psalm 1:1-3

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
-Matthew 5:3-11

In your daily living, be who you were called to be, so that God can do what He promised He would do.

Scattered Minds

1 Peter 3:8-19

The men and women who make up the body of Christ in these last days, aren’t all on the same page. We are living in a time, when many false doctrines have infiltrated congregations around the globe, causing some to hold fast to the traditions of men, rather than the commandments of God the Father. The apostle Peter teaches in our text, we are all to be of one mind, as we fulfill God’s purpose in our lives. Unity is essential in keeping the body of Christ together, and allowing each member to effectively use their gifts for edification, but where division is present, confusion has the ability to keep many from being their best for God. Not only are the members of Christ’s body commanded to be of one mind, but being meet for the Master’s use also demands that we walk in humility, show compassion toward others, and be willing to extend encouragement to all who need it. When a person’s foundation is built on godly principles and standards, they’ll easily render good for evil, or blessing for persecution. The church today loses its influence on the lost, the more they give in to false doctrine, which causes division. But, when the Lord is once again sanctified in the hearts of men, only then can they truly submit themselves to the truth of God’s word, and easily recognize anything that is contrary to what the Father commanded them to do.

Glory To God

Acts 16:11-15, 40; 1 Corinthians 1:26-30

Without God, there’s nothing man can do while he yet lives in the earth. Without the breath of life God breathes into men, their very existence would be a mere afterthought. Without the strength and ability granted by God, being productive in this life would be impossible. Without intellect, wisdom and common sense, it would be hard for anyone to grow in stature or status in society. Man has developed a bad habit of giving glory to themselves, honoring the fact that their might, nobility, or stature is what causes them to do great things in the earth. While it seems that many actually do prosper, none of their supposed prosperity would be possible without God allowing it.

King David set the ideal example of how to conduct oneself on all levels of life. David walked in humility, even when multiple opportunities to boast were set before him. Even the apostle Paul recognized that giving glory to God over all else was priority when he wrote, “I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.” (Phil. 4:12).

God doesn’t often call those who walk after the flesh, are mighty in the earth, or are held in high esteem in society, instead, the Bible mentions, “God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty, and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and the things which are not, to bring to nought things that are.” (vs. 27-28). God allows this so that “NO FLESH SHOULD GLORY IN HIS PRESENCE”. Flesh is a mess, and always competes for God’s glory. This attitude stems from the same pride harbored by Lucifer, when he desired to be above God in Heaven.

Men today, as in the past, can become so full of pride and haughtiness, until they’ll seek to bring attention to themselves, rather than boast in the Lord, who alone causes men to rise and fall. Give it your best effort to walk diligently in humility, and avoid taking any credit for all the wonderful things God does for you, on a daily basis.