I know what it feels like to get "stuck" in the area of spiritual growth, and specifically in prayer. Here are some solid gold prayers that I've learned are great to get you out of a rut! The reason they're so great? Well, they are the Bible. These aren't my idea to pray...they originally came from the Holy Spirit, through people like David, Paul, and other heroes of the faith...and also other amazing followers of Jesus taught them to me. They're great to write out, memorize, and repeat till you get them in your heart and mind!! Some of these I pray daily, most of them I pray at least once a week.
Psalm 86:11--Teach me your ways, O Lord and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart that I may fear your name.
Colossians 3:1-3--Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
Ephesians 3:16-19--I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 1:17-19--I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe...
For more ideas, go to: http://konaprayerroom.com/resources/.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Friday, June 14, 2013
Philippians
A few verses stick out to me every time I recite Philippians, as I have been memorizing this book over the past couple of months. I thought I'd share them with you!!
Philippians 1:9--
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight so that you may discern what is best...
I just love this--out of everything he could pray, Paul asked for their love to ABOUND. And through that, for their insight and wisdom to deepen in the Lord so that they could understand His ways. Wow! Through understanding God's love, we understand Him more.
Philippians 2:9-11--
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.
That's just amazing--totally what I live for! When I get to this part of Philippians, I usually start giggling and shouting. :)
Philippians 2:13--
...for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
Whoa. This is our motivation! That as we seek to follow God more, He is the one who does the work, who stirs our hearts, who teaches us and helps us grow. Yes!!
Philippians 3:8-9--
What is more, I consider everything loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him...
That I may be found in Christ...this is the greatest thing!
Philippians 3:12--
...I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
This is just like a healthy dose of fear of the Lord. He is up to something so big! I want to be a part of it!
Philippians 3:20-21--
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
Heavenly perspective!! We are awaiting the Savior of the world who HAS come and WILL COME AGAIN!! We have nothing to worry about!
Philippians 4:7--
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
So God's peace actually GUARDS our minds. I've always thought that I need to change my mind so that I can have peace. But it's the opposite. Choose to rest in God's peace, and let Him clear your mind of anything else. His peace is not just a nice feeling, it's a guard against attacks on our minds and hearts!
Philippians 1:9--
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight so that you may discern what is best...
I just love this--out of everything he could pray, Paul asked for their love to ABOUND. And through that, for their insight and wisdom to deepen in the Lord so that they could understand His ways. Wow! Through understanding God's love, we understand Him more.
Philippians 2:9-11--
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.
That's just amazing--totally what I live for! When I get to this part of Philippians, I usually start giggling and shouting. :)
Philippians 2:13--
...for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
Whoa. This is our motivation! That as we seek to follow God more, He is the one who does the work, who stirs our hearts, who teaches us and helps us grow. Yes!!
Philippians 3:8-9--
What is more, I consider everything loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him...
That I may be found in Christ...this is the greatest thing!
Philippians 3:12--
...I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
This is just like a healthy dose of fear of the Lord. He is up to something so big! I want to be a part of it!
Philippians 3:20-21--
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
Heavenly perspective!! We are awaiting the Savior of the world who HAS come and WILL COME AGAIN!! We have nothing to worry about!
Philippians 4:7--
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
So God's peace actually GUARDS our minds. I've always thought that I need to change my mind so that I can have peace. But it's the opposite. Choose to rest in God's peace, and let Him clear your mind of anything else. His peace is not just a nice feeling, it's a guard against attacks on our minds and hearts!
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
For Freedom
"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free."
I wasn't always free. Hard to believe, in this society of self-sufficiency, raised in a Christian family, where people believed in me. But true freedom is a pretty new concept to me.
You see, when I was just a little older than three, the enemy came in with his deceit and stole what was dear to me. My innocence, rubbed in the dirt, along with my worth, it made my little heart hurt. Hard to understand, I foolishly took his hand; he offered what I could not have, and I wanted it--so into the darkness I ran.
Fear gripped me so tightly I could feel its prickly rope around my neck tightening, tightening, till I was gasping for breath. I gave into his twisted lies, because if I didn't I'd lie awake through the night, gazing at the shadows and shivering with fright. So he took my mind.
Confusion like a cloud hovered all around, my life a blur, lost in the sound of chaos and questions and many, many doubts.
I was a child in chains, filled with shame I could hardly contain, yet unsure from what source it came. Unsatisfied with who I was, I tried in vain to cover up.
The story goes much deeper, but let me get to the end. Because I met a God who became my friend. I never got how his love could never end--but then I reached my end, and there he was, waiting for me. I could hardly believe he still loved me, after all I'd done to him. I'd made a deal with his enemy. I'd given myself away freely. I'd said, "Do what you want with me." My goodness--what was I thinking?
But there was God, his love never-ending. He tore me away from the demons around me--the ones that lurked in my room and kept me awake, that messed with my mind in the night and in the day. Jesus Christ himself set me free.
My enemies, he destroyed with his sword; my mind, he renewed with his word.
He brought me out of darkness, into his light. His glorious, beautiful light. And I finally had sight! To see him for real, for the first time--to see his true character, and taste eternal life!
He really can break chains--he broke mine, he'll break yours. In his name alone is your hope secure.
If he can pull me out and set me free. He can surely do anything. Let's just trust him and see!!
I wasn't always free. Hard to believe, in this society of self-sufficiency, raised in a Christian family, where people believed in me. But true freedom is a pretty new concept to me.
You see, when I was just a little older than three, the enemy came in with his deceit and stole what was dear to me. My innocence, rubbed in the dirt, along with my worth, it made my little heart hurt. Hard to understand, I foolishly took his hand; he offered what I could not have, and I wanted it--so into the darkness I ran.
Fear gripped me so tightly I could feel its prickly rope around my neck tightening, tightening, till I was gasping for breath. I gave into his twisted lies, because if I didn't I'd lie awake through the night, gazing at the shadows and shivering with fright. So he took my mind.
Confusion like a cloud hovered all around, my life a blur, lost in the sound of chaos and questions and many, many doubts.
I was a child in chains, filled with shame I could hardly contain, yet unsure from what source it came. Unsatisfied with who I was, I tried in vain to cover up.
The story goes much deeper, but let me get to the end. Because I met a God who became my friend. I never got how his love could never end--but then I reached my end, and there he was, waiting for me. I could hardly believe he still loved me, after all I'd done to him. I'd made a deal with his enemy. I'd given myself away freely. I'd said, "Do what you want with me." My goodness--what was I thinking?
But there was God, his love never-ending. He tore me away from the demons around me--the ones that lurked in my room and kept me awake, that messed with my mind in the night and in the day. Jesus Christ himself set me free.
My enemies, he destroyed with his sword; my mind, he renewed with his word.
He brought me out of darkness, into his light. His glorious, beautiful light. And I finally had sight! To see him for real, for the first time--to see his true character, and taste eternal life!
He really can break chains--he broke mine, he'll break yours. In his name alone is your hope secure.
If he can pull me out and set me free. He can surely do anything. Let's just trust him and see!!
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Malachi
This morning I read Malachi for the first time and it blew my mind with just the realization of God's worthiness. This 2 1/2 page book is basically a conversation with God and the people of Israel--Israel asking what they have done and God telling them.
In 1:6, God says to Israel, "A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?" Wow. If we honor humans who have authority over us, how much more should we honor the God of the universe, who calls us by name and has every day of our lives written in heaven!
Later in verse 8 he says, "When you bring blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice crippled and diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?"
I am reading this not from a position of shame or religion but one of grace. God has blessed us with the incredible honor and joy of partnering with him in global transformation! He has given us the key to heaven, to be with him forever, to know him and be known by him. He has paid our price and set us free, forgiven us of all wrong. Reading Malachi, I am filled with a greater longing to give my all to him! He so deserves it!
Praise God we don't have to sacrifice animals anymore. But rather, according to Romans 12, we are the sacrifice--a living one, daily laying down our rights to pursue God's ways. So when I read about crippled and diseased animals being sacrificed in Malachi, I think about my own offering to God each day. Do I delight in spending time with him? Or do I see it as a burden, just another thing in my schedule? Do I give myself fully to the things he's asked me to do--in my work, my studies, my friendships, my worship, my quiet time--or do I go at everything half-heartedly?
In Hebrews it says we have received a kingdom unshakable--which deserves awe-filled worship to God.
Do I live in thankfulness? Or do I complain about this amazing life I have, daily getting to serve and love Jesus, more and more?
In Malachi 3:10, God says, "...Test me in this...and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it."
This is not to say that our motivation should be blessing and provision. God knows our hearts. But it got to me, how deeply the Lord is moved by our sacrifices of love to him. He's saying if you will only give me everything--if you will only choose me first--if you will only live for me. He's ready to open heaven, release the fullness of his presence and his purpose in our lives!
And this is what he says in 3:17 about those who choose to sacrifice everything for the sake of his name: "They will be mine...in the day when I make up my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him."
There is a difference between those who are sold-out for the Lord and those who are on the fence. The difference is fullness. You can't understand how amazing God is if you don't find it worth it to know him.
I pray that God speaks to you through the book Malachi, and your eyes are opened more to the worthiness of the Lord! May we live wholeheartedly for him, full of faith and joy even when sacrifice needs to happen.
In 1:6, God says to Israel, "A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?" Wow. If we honor humans who have authority over us, how much more should we honor the God of the universe, who calls us by name and has every day of our lives written in heaven!
Later in verse 8 he says, "When you bring blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice crippled and diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?"
I am reading this not from a position of shame or religion but one of grace. God has blessed us with the incredible honor and joy of partnering with him in global transformation! He has given us the key to heaven, to be with him forever, to know him and be known by him. He has paid our price and set us free, forgiven us of all wrong. Reading Malachi, I am filled with a greater longing to give my all to him! He so deserves it!
Praise God we don't have to sacrifice animals anymore. But rather, according to Romans 12, we are the sacrifice--a living one, daily laying down our rights to pursue God's ways. So when I read about crippled and diseased animals being sacrificed in Malachi, I think about my own offering to God each day. Do I delight in spending time with him? Or do I see it as a burden, just another thing in my schedule? Do I give myself fully to the things he's asked me to do--in my work, my studies, my friendships, my worship, my quiet time--or do I go at everything half-heartedly?
In Hebrews it says we have received a kingdom unshakable--which deserves awe-filled worship to God.
Do I live in thankfulness? Or do I complain about this amazing life I have, daily getting to serve and love Jesus, more and more?
In Malachi 3:10, God says, "...Test me in this...and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it."
This is not to say that our motivation should be blessing and provision. God knows our hearts. But it got to me, how deeply the Lord is moved by our sacrifices of love to him. He's saying if you will only give me everything--if you will only choose me first--if you will only live for me. He's ready to open heaven, release the fullness of his presence and his purpose in our lives!
And this is what he says in 3:17 about those who choose to sacrifice everything for the sake of his name: "They will be mine...in the day when I make up my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him."
There is a difference between those who are sold-out for the Lord and those who are on the fence. The difference is fullness. You can't understand how amazing God is if you don't find it worth it to know him.
I pray that God speaks to you through the book Malachi, and your eyes are opened more to the worthiness of the Lord! May we live wholeheartedly for him, full of faith and joy even when sacrifice needs to happen.
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