For the helpless, hurting and poor, change is something that can’t come soon enough. These desperate souls are searching for the secret to getting God’s attention to alter their circumstances. When waiting becomes excruciating, what should you say to obtain prayers of change?
In the days of the Old Testament, the heart and its spiritual condition directly influenced God’s response to mankind, Isaiah 1:15-18. Meanwhile, the mind is a terrible thing to waste, especially when doubt blocks faith from taking root, Matthew 21:18-22. If you don’t believe God can transform your situation, miracles will cease to exist. Thus, what can I do to be heard?
History provides a benchmark, a series of success stories in life. When you desire wisdom, pray to possess the knowledge of Solomon. If discernment is what you need, ask for the insight of the sons of Issachar. Is it faith that you lack, claim the double portion the Lord gave Elisha. Do you struggle to love? Lean on Jesus to fill this void. Finally, if the favor of God seems distant, persist in prayer to experience the blessings of Joseph. May the words of Matthew 7:7-12 inspire you to offer up prayers for change.
Gone are the days of the Boogie Man living beneath your bed. Hollywood has devised more sidious figments of your imagination such as Freddy Kruger, Michael Myers and Hannibal Lecter. All it takes is a scary movie, darkness and isolation to invite nightmares into your dreams. This is where fear turns an ordinary evening into a terrifying experience.
When you add fuel to this fire by indulging in graphic images on television, the degree only intensifies. Although dreams come and go, anyone who opens the door to demonic activity, Ephesians 4:26-27, will need a spiritual remedy to set their mind free from nightly horror. Thoughts such as,” its just an R-rated movie, what harm could possibly come from this,” will likely dig a hole that can haunt souls for years.
According to the Psalmist, there is a cure for nightmares. Sleepless nights will come to an end as you begin to dwell in the shelter of God’s wings, Psalm 91:1. This isn’t a casual relationship, coming and going as you please. Rather, Psalm 91:2-4 suggests a devout faith, trusting in the Lord, not your own strength to overcome obstacles, snares and trials in life. As your commitment level breeds spiritual disciplines, God promises to protect you from Satan’s flaming arrows in the day and conscience from fear at night, Psalm 91:5. Applying these principles lead to sweet dreams once again.
Dedicated, devoted and revered are words often associated with individuals who appear connected with God, demonstrating faith on a daily basis. Unfortunately, as I look around, searching for a cause to believe in and get behind, few seem to contain a spirit of holiness. In view of this, I wonder if anything is sacred anymore?
As one of the patriarchs of Israel, Moses had an open line of communication with God, retreating up to Mount Sinai, seeking advice, direction and guidance for the Jewish people. During one of these face to face encounters, the Lord reminded Moses of an essential weekly discipline. Leviticus 23:2 introduces a list of sacred assemblies appointed by God, the first taking place on the Sabbath, Saturday for Jews and Sunday for Christians.
This day of worship should not be celebrated alone. Rather, resting from work for 24 hours should be replaced by congregations of like minded believers eager to honor a living God. Although illness or vacation may result in missing a few services throughout the year, don’t allow guilt or regret to interfere with your praise. When God’s children begin to live out the words of Psalm 150, sacred assemblies can unite souls and God willing, usher in revival.
According to Webster, a pawn is someone used by others for their own purpose. Pawns vary from a dupe to a puppet and in extreme conditions, a hostage. When you consider Jesus’ insight in John 10:10, there are 3 stages to pawns of the Devil. Initially, time is used to steal children away from God. To further this separation, ambitions, dreams and goals are plucked, one by one, killing any hopes of emotional, physical and spiritual prosperity. Finally, like a self-fulfilling prophecy, lives are destroyed figuratively and literally.
Pawn #1 is subtle, using amusement, entertainment and obsessions to lure committed followers off the narrow road. Throw in a little compromise, enjoyment and worldly pleasures and before long, priorities began to change. One of the signs of Satan’s success is a lukewarm spirit, causing souls to lose focus of what’s truly important in life. Add an onslaught of trials and those pure in heart wander into uncharted waters, opening their eyes to a whole new world like Eve. If you look across the fence long enough, you might find yourself on the other side.
Pawn #2 is merely a byproduct of time. Once temptation begins to dig its claws deep into hearts and minds, the outcome shouldn’t be surprising. Spiritual neglect is replaced by bad habits, careless behavior and loose lips. The presence of a disciplined life is a distantly memory, kicked to the curb by fleshly desires. Hooked, lined and sinking fast, the light of Christ fades into addictions of darkness. At some point, individuals become puppets of the Devil, accomplishing his will through a hypocritical and tainted testimony.
Unless intervention occurs, Pawn #3 resembles a tsunami. The first wave starts by destroying marriages and or relationships near and dear to your heart. Isolated, the second wave brings financial ramifications as consumption, gambling and waste make their way to your shores. Just when you think the storm has subsided, the surge is relentless building in size and wrath. If you survive, a pitiful soul remains, a shell of the person you were before the pawns of the Devil entered your life. For those still standing, remember the words of Peter, a failure himself, resist the devil by keeping the faith, 1 Peter 5:8-9. May this revelation encourage hearts to draw near to the One true God, 1 Timothy 2:4.
Rejections come in various forms like having a credit card declined, being dismissed by an employer or being turned down for a date. However, whenever prayers go unanswered, problems continue to mount or nothing ever seems to go right, individuals feel rejected by God. Confused by God’s lack of action and silence, wounded souls struggle to make sense of their current dilemma.
Following their banishment from the Garden of Eden in Genesis 3:23, the first family resembled a soap opera more than God’s well pleased creation. To make matters worse, a sibling rivalry commenced in Genesis 4:3-5. When big bigger, Cain, had his offering rejected by God, resentment and jealousy flowed toward his younger brother Abel. As disappointment gave birth to depression, a wicked scheme tempted the mind of Cain. It’s one thing to be honest with God, yet revenge led Cain to overreact, ending the life of his little brother.
Although the Lord does predestine certain leaders to fulfill the great commission, there are clear indications why God rejected Cain and accepted Abel’s offering.
1) God honors those who give their best, Matthew 5:48. Genesis 4:3 suggests there was no sense of urgency within Cain to give the Lord his first fruits. Cain waited until his belly was full and his family had enough food to eat before he got around to it. Foregoing Matthew 6:33, Cain appeared to trust in his own ability and not God. Meanwhile, Abel gave to the Lord his first and most precious sheep, believing God would replace these in the near future, Genesis 4:4.
2) Offer your body as a living sacrifice, Romans 12:1. If everything that is good comes from above, James 1:16-17, when people honor God with their bodies, you get the Lord’s attention like Abel. On the other hand, its easy to become lukewarm about things in life, picking and choosing when its convenient to serve God. I guess you can say, Cain’s heart wasn’t into his offering. Therefore, when you fall into this habit or pattern, its essential that you receive a spiritual heart transplant, Ezekiel 36:26.
3)Be your brother’s keeper by holding others accountable, James 5:19-20. Cain tried to avoid any responsibility for his brother’s death. Whether you’re the oldest or the youngest, each believer should set the example for others to follow, 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12. Whenever someone does stray off course, its vital to steer wandering souls back toward the narrow path, Matthew 7:13-14. Thus, the next time you feel rejected by God, reflect upon these 3 indicators so that you won’t regret or overreact to the hand you have been dealt like Cain.
Its not uncommon for youth to embrace their parents’ hobbies. A one time opportunity for me soon became a weekly obsession. While some of my peers were out partying on Friday night, I spent 3 years bowling, filling in as a sub for a league. Before the days of bumpers, there was nothing to keep loose shots from entering the gutter.
Outside of bowling lanes, Guard rails were designed to keep vehicles from straying into dangerous areas while driving. Unfortunately, not every street contains such a guide. On country, desolate or rural roads, poor counties can not afford, support or justify spending that much money. However, when someone dies in a car accident, their life is priceless.
From a spiritual perspective, the Bible is like bumpers, a guide to keep you from falling of course, Matthew 7:13-14. The life lessons, principles and truth inside of God’s Word serves as a light source, Psalm 119:105, to help you see down the road. Although invisible, conviction, gut feelings or promptings from the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25, can lead souls through the darkness in life. May the words of this book provide you with the direction you are searching for today.
Gone are the days of Wilbur Wilberforce, when politicians did the right thing without taking a poll, trying to get re-elected or win public approval. In an attempt to get ahead, integrity has been swept under the rug, trampled by greed, power and souls seeking victory whatever the cost. Lurking in the darkness, the reason for this decline lies in John 8:34.
Slavery, a grave reminder of the past, is alive and well inside the heart’s of human beings. Although mankind think they are in control, sin is large and in charge, holding individuals captive, Romans 7:14-20. Perhaps this truth led the apostle Paul, one of the godliest men to ever live to claim he was one of the greatest sinners ever, 1 Timothy 1:15. If you had to diagnosis why the world is falling apart, sin is a prime suspect.
Discipline, good intentions and self-control may appear to be full proof, but in the end its like fool’s gold. Subsequently, the grasp of sin prevents countless from doing the right thing, Romans 8:5-8, something Paul knew from personal experience. Until people acknowledge the reality of their soul, a sinner in desperate need of a Savior, John 3:3-5, the world will continue its downward spiral. May the Lord help put people back together, one soul at a time, Luke 15:7.
In a world fueled by controversy, negativity and pessimism, its easy to lose sight of the positive. Affirmations, encouragement and uplifting words often vanish from memories, erased by daily criticism that wound hearts. This isn’t the only thing to recede, disappearing like the tide going out to sea.
Despite this harsh reality, there is one truth that never vanishes. According to Psalm 139:13-16, you were knit together in your mother’s womb. In fact, Jesus takes this one step further, reminding Nicodemus of God’s perfect plan. According to John 3:16, the expression “so loved” in the Greek refers to from vanishing point to vanishing point. In other words, before you were born and until your death, God’s love extends throughout time.
When idividuals become aware of this aspect of God’s nature, revival can begin. Unfortunately, an invisible enemy has blinded the minds of unbelievers, 2 Corinthians 4:4. All the while, believers are under a difficult kind of attack, pulled in different directions by the world, Galatians 5:16-18. If this wasn’t enough, the devil is busy stealing, killing and destroying souls. As the sun sets on another day, don’t allow your thoughts to forget the promises within God’s word, Joshua 1:8, from vanishing point to vanishing point.
Life is like riding a new roller coaster for the first time, filled with ups and downs, twists and turns with unexpected corkscrews around blind corners. Subsequently, individuals change, evolve or are transformed by the ebb and flow of trials. Nonetheless, unless a caterpillar enters the chrysalis, it will never be able to fly.
When hard times arrive. (and they will find you) there is a tendency to cry out to God, complain and wrestle with reality, Psalm 77:1-4. Whether its coping with death, illness or unemployment, there is no easy way out. However, on the day of when storms arise, Asaph provides a blueprint in Psalm 77:5-13 to help struggling souls see how great God is.
The moment you begin to remember recent miracles, times when God carried you or meditate on the works of the Lord, perspectives change. Yet, this is easier said than done. In the midst of pain, find rest in God’s chrysalis until your transformation is complete. After the hurricanes of life, keep your head up so that you will begin to see how great is our God.
Credence, self-assurance and trust are all words synonymous with confidence. Whether you’re an individual, duo or team, confidence leads people to rely on their partner and or talents. However, when success is allusive, levels of belief tend to diminish, fade and shrink.
According to Psalm 71:5, the Lord is the source of confidence. When your own confidence becomes shattered, God puts the hope back into desperate souls. Whether this is David or some other author, its apparent faith begins at an early age. This seems to be a principle passed onto King Solomon, mentioned in Proverbs 22:6. Thus, confidence is taught, trained by godly mentors so that a biblical foundation is established.
Today, imperfect people make it hard to trust anyone. The danger of placing someone in high regards takes your eyes off of the Creator, gazing your eyes toward a flawed creation. Don’t allow yourself to fall into this trap. When your life begins to fall apart, lean on the Lord, Philippians 4:13, to be your source of strength to regain confidence.
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