“All things work together for good for those who love God…” Romans 8:28
In a word, life is messy, with a myriad of twists and turns. Yet in the book of Romans, Paul writes that “All things work together for good for those who love God”. That means lurking in the messy bits of our lives God will pull together a wonderful plan that brings forth
Indeed, something wonderful is waiting for you in you in the very midst of your mess.
“Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you,” Jeremiah 29:12
There is one truth in life that you should pay attention to, and should give you great comfort:
God is so near to every person on this planet, quietly waiting in the stillness to be invited to draw near and fill every empty void in your life. In Jeremiah 29 God makes a promise that if we call on Him He will listen. Amazing things are about to happen for you when you reach out in prayer, and call the Lord.
“Your (God’s) love is better than life” Psalm 63:3
In Psalm 63 King David wrote, “You God are my God. Earnestly I seek you. I thirst for you in a dry and parched land where there is no water.” Notice how David is not asking for anything other than God’s presence. He’s not seeking rescue, or answers, or miracles. David simply craves God’s presence. He prays this way because he understands that,
When you feel anxious, or nervous, or scared, or lonely, try doing as David did and reach out to God, and simply ask for His presence. God will not disappoint you. The atmosphere will shift and you will quickly begin to understand why David prayed the way he did.
“You ask and do not receive because you ask amiss.” James 4:3
Is God listening to me? I’ve heard this from so many people over the years who have grown weary in their prayer life. My response is that I have found receiving answers to prayer easy when you share your hearts desires with God, and follow them up with seven key words.
That is how you are certain not to ask “amiss”. Remember, God knows everything, your past, your present, and your future. God also wants to bless you with the best. Your job is to trust Him.
“Let Your kingdom come…” Matthew 6:10
When Jesus friends asked Him how they should pray, He gave to them 53 words in Matthew chapter 6 commonly referred to as “The Lord’s Prayer”, a perfect recipe to center your prayer life around. For many these words have become too familiar, perhaps to the point of losing their meaning. Today, just focus on 4 of those 53 words,
When Jesus said to pray, “let Your kingdom come,” imagine the power that would be unleashed in this world if we passionately prayed these four words every day.
“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him (Jesus) who loved us.” Romans 8:37
Fear of failure seems to be baked into the human condition. Such fear many times stops us in our tracks before we even get started. And yet Paul, the author of the book of Romans, lays out an intriguing thought to demonstrate that no matter the odds, no matter how hard we get hit in life, anything is possible because we are
Paul says, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Yet in all those these things we are more than conquerors for nothing can separate us from God’s love”. That also means nothing, absolutely nothing, can separate us from God’s promises, of which we have described dozens in these posts over the past few years. Take heart and keep moving forward. You have the King of kings in your corner.
“Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness?” Exodus 14:11
In the book of Exodus, God rescued the nation of Israel from slavery in Egypt and led them toward the promised land. The triumphant mood soon hit a brick wall at the Red Sea, with no way to cross, and the Egyptian army bearing down after Pharaoh changed his mind about their pardon. You’ve seen the movie. You know the story’s ending. God parted the waters and they went on their way.
Indeed, there are times in life when we all face our version of a Red Sea, with no visible way out and no possible way to cross. We toil and spin (yell and scream and cry) just like the children of Israel did in Exodus 14:11 about our predicament, when the answer is right in front of us. Look up! Give your Red Sea to God, then be prepared for miracles as the waters part in unexpected ways.
“I would have fainted, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” Psalm 27:13
Every morning that you wake up you have the opportunity to believe the best about the day in front of you. You can believe for the best in your life, because of
Psalm 27:13 says we can “believe that we will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living”. “The land of the living” today is you and I. It’s our choice to believe that in this many times maddening world God’s goodness will shine through. Such hope is not just for hope sake, but is actually grounded in and throughout God’s word. Indeed, one small positive thought can change your whole day.
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything through prayer, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6
I’ve met so many people who shy away from asking God for anything. Perhaps it’s out of fear that they will be treating God like a “vending machine.” The problem is, failing to bring your needs and hearts desires to God goes against a significant directive that Jesus Himself taught to us. Jesus said in Matthew 7:7,
Just a few lines later Jesus further clarifies this statement by saying “who among you, if your child asks you for bread would you give him a stone.” It’s crystal clear in black and white that God as your Heavenly Father wants to, and knows how to, give good things when you actually open your mouth and ask Him. Yes, be reverent. Yes, be humble. But also, be bold, believing that God will be faithful to His word. Stop being shy about approaching God, your Heavenly Father, for your needs, for blessings, for healing, for whatever is in your heart. Jesus said ask, which gives you the right to do so. What are you waiting for?
“There is a cloud, as small as a man’s hand, rising out of the sea!” 1 Kings 18:44
All the stories about droughts in different parts of the world brings to mind the story of Elijah in 1 Kings. There had been a severe drought in the land, but the Lord had instructed Elijah to tell the King not to worry, rain was on the way. God would provide. In the story, Elijah sends a young man to the top of a hill to watch for signs of rain. Six times this young man returned saying it doesn’t look promising. No rain in sight. Yet in each of those six times, Elijah responds, saying,
On the seventh try, the young man returns and says, “there is a small cloud rising out of the sea.” Instantly Elijah knew that God had been faithful and that rain was on the way. He was right for a few hours later the skies opened up and the downpour began. How many times have you prayed for a blessing only to believe you had been forgotten by God. Take heart and don’t give up. Pray again and look up. Your breakthrough is on the horizon. God is always faithful.
You must be logged in to post a comment.