Why don't people pray. Because it is boring ? ... yes sometimes. lonely? yes again. Don't know how? Yes I think that is true too.
People don't pray for a variety of reasons and we can sit in judgment of ourselves and them or we can inspire and facilitate prayer. God is asking us to pray. So here are some ideas; Pray the Lords prayer. Go to the letters in the New Testament and every time Paul prays, copy it and turn it into a personal prayer or a prayer for your Church. Ask a friend to pray with you weekly, fortnightly, go to a Church building that is open if it helps you or sit at home. Try walking and praying or just worship Him. DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE WORSHIP. Out of it comes a heart that beats with the heart of God and rarely struggles for inspiration to pray.
It is officially not funny anymore, we must pray and we must start immediately. Do not be put off. Experiment with ideas for praying. Then Pray. God help us.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Can you feel God's smile?
If what you do for the Kingdom seems small, then Look up, because God is smiling, maybe even laughing with joy! If it is still a dream then start, do something. The seed thought begs to be planted and can not grow until it is. Zachariah wrote;
"Do not dare to despise these small beginnings, (if fact that is the only beginning you can have) ... because the Lord rejoices when the work begins, when the plumb line is in your hand" There is work to be done, praying, loving, giving and sowing your life into a future that glimmers with hope.
Believe in the thing that is in your heart. The steps of a good man are ordered by God ... THE STEPS. Walk it out, live loud and feel the smile of God as you go.
"Do not dare to despise these small beginnings, (if fact that is the only beginning you can have) ... because the Lord rejoices when the work begins, when the plumb line is in your hand" There is work to be done, praying, loving, giving and sowing your life into a future that glimmers with hope.
Believe in the thing that is in your heart. The steps of a good man are ordered by God ... THE STEPS. Walk it out, live loud and feel the smile of God as you go.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Troubled Times
In this world you will have trouble ...Jesus spoke these words and went on to give a real life strategy for soul survival. How true it is, trouble all around. Global financial crises with a domino effect traveling at breakneck speed across every continent. Our kids need braces; the car needs new tyres and workplace gossip wounds even the strongest soul. Trouble happens!
Another time there was a soldier who was asking this God-Man for help, his daughter was very sick. His associates caught up with him and told him it was too late and not to trouble the teacher any more, she was already dead. this is a famous story from the Gospel but it resonates with truth for us to glean. We think, why bother, nothing can be done, our dream is dead, no-one cares, why trouble God or others with our issues.
Jesus' words are coming at you today. "Take heart, I have overcome ..." He offers us courage, by example and by insight. He knew what we must learn. God will not forsake us, if we call on Him, He will hear us. He hears you know. If you are alive you will experience trouble, but take it one day at a time. You only have the power to manage one day of trouble at a time. Whatever happens today is dynamically changed by how you approach and interact with it. So take heart, you will face it better if your burden is not wieghed down with yesterdays and tomorrows trouble. Yours for the journey, Julie
Another time there was a soldier who was asking this God-Man for help, his daughter was very sick. His associates caught up with him and told him it was too late and not to trouble the teacher any more, she was already dead. this is a famous story from the Gospel but it resonates with truth for us to glean. We think, why bother, nothing can be done, our dream is dead, no-one cares, why trouble God or others with our issues.
Jesus' words are coming at you today. "Take heart, I have overcome ..." He offers us courage, by example and by insight. He knew what we must learn. God will not forsake us, if we call on Him, He will hear us. He hears you know. If you are alive you will experience trouble, but take it one day at a time. You only have the power to manage one day of trouble at a time. Whatever happens today is dynamically changed by how you approach and interact with it. So take heart, you will face it better if your burden is not wieghed down with yesterdays and tomorrows trouble. Yours for the journey, Julie
Thursday, November 5, 2009
What Next ...
So here we are, a couple of battles under our belt and I would think plenty to go. Jesus has won it all. We are indeed the victors. However we seem to have trespassers in our inheritance. It appears we must fight, or at least occupy our territory aggressively to maintain our Status as the Victors.
The great apostle Paul admonished us to take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ, our Captain. So, this is a moment by moment occupation. We can not easily slip from our position in Christ but incrementally we can descend into a way of thinking that is not Kingdom oriented. If we do not address this, our old nature begins to assert itself and the voice of the accuser gets louder.
Therefore, lift up your eyes, strengthen your knees, laugh at the future and celebrate who Jesus is and the incredible power that His death and His resurrection delivered to us. With a constant praise for God in our mouth and the Sword of Truth in our hand, that's how we experience the Victory. The joy, contentment, the peace that passes understanding, then guards our mind and keeps our peace. If we are diligent and our thoughts are challenged and allowed in, only if they are congruent with truth, then we live daily in Victory..
As this applies to us individually, it also does to our Churches and our cities. We are stewards of the Kingdom reality. Jesus taught us to pray, Your Kingdom come and Your will be done. Pray it daily and persistently, don't worry, pray instead and the peace is guaranteed. Do not grow weary while you are at it and the reward is ours together. WOOO HOOO !!!!!!
The great apostle Paul admonished us to take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ, our Captain. So, this is a moment by moment occupation. We can not easily slip from our position in Christ but incrementally we can descend into a way of thinking that is not Kingdom oriented. If we do not address this, our old nature begins to assert itself and the voice of the accuser gets louder.
Therefore, lift up your eyes, strengthen your knees, laugh at the future and celebrate who Jesus is and the incredible power that His death and His resurrection delivered to us. With a constant praise for God in our mouth and the Sword of Truth in our hand, that's how we experience the Victory. The joy, contentment, the peace that passes understanding, then guards our mind and keeps our peace. If we are diligent and our thoughts are challenged and allowed in, only if they are congruent with truth, then we live daily in Victory..
As this applies to us individually, it also does to our Churches and our cities. We are stewards of the Kingdom reality. Jesus taught us to pray, Your Kingdom come and Your will be done. Pray it daily and persistently, don't worry, pray instead and the peace is guaranteed. Do not grow weary while you are at it and the reward is ours together. WOOO HOOO !!!!!!
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