He is able

How can we have peace of mind and live without stress when what we’re facing seems like a mountain? Basically speaking; the situation at hand is impossible!

Sometimes it’s a reoccurring sin that continually draws us in; again and again and again. We may be living in a life situation that is way below our needs and desires. Maybe we’re concerned for someone we love who is making choices that are causing them deep pain. What can we do? How do we pray in faith?

As overwhelming as the need is, God is bigger. It’s that simple! No matter how large and consuming this is in our life, the fact of the matter is; compared to God, it is miniscule. It is nothing!

The very thing that’s so hard to do is the exact thing we must achieve. We have to keep our eyes off the problem and stayed on God; alone!

Who is this God I’m talking about? He created the world but with a breath. He made man out of dust. He is, will always be and has always been. Romans 12:29 says “Our God is an all consuming fire.” Jeremiah 32:27 says “I am the God of all mankind. Is anything too difficult for me?”

When I’m praying for a difficult or better yet impossible situation, I stay the course. I state the truth; out loud. God is in charge. He will work this together for good. He is God! I remind myself that although it may threaten to have dire consequences, God’s strength is actually made perfect in my weakness! No matter how big the problem is, God is bigger, by far.

I don’t know what you’re facing but I do know God! He can work this out in ways that will not only glorify himself but will bless you and others beyond words.

Keep your eyes on Him! He is able!

2013! What a great time for new beginnings: I love entering into a New Year.

For me, it's a time to set goals and re-establish the direction I sense God is leading me in. It's a time for new projects, new ideas, new ministries; newness!

At the end of each of the past 10 or so years, I’ve asked God to show me a particular bible verse or small passage of verses that will be a focus of prayer for that coming year. It's amazing to see how these verses play out as I continually lift them up to him daily. Some verses have dealt with my personal walk with him; others have focused on my family or my church. Every year these verses have played a significant role in how I pray; as well as how my life plays out.

Prayer is just as much about hearing from God as it is speaking to him. I want to hear from him. How I should pray? Who should I should I pray for?

Let me ask you this; what changes would you like to see in your relationship with God? What directional changes do you believe God is leading you to take? Who in your life needs special prayer? Proverbs 29:18 reads "Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keeps the law, happy is he." As we begin this New Year, why not do what I am doing? Ask God for a specific verse or portion of verses from the bible to pray for. He will show you. Then, not only will you have to joy of hearing from the living God in a personal way, but you'll also be a tool of prayer as he uses you to make a difference in others' lives!

Happy 2013!!

When do you pray the most? Is it when things are going well or when you’re having problems?

Luke 5:15-16 “The report about him spread all the more, and great crowds assembled to listen to him and to be cured of their ailments, but he would withdraw to deserted places to pray.”

Isn’t it interesting that in the height of Jesus’ ministry, when things were going well; lives were being changed, people were being healed,  he would withdraw to pray! Why would he pray then? Jesus knew something many of us tend to over look.

If you’re like a lot of people, you tend to pray more when things are not going well. It’s it that point we cry out to God; for help, for grace, for direction.

Our prayers should rise up to God just as much when life’s going well as when it’s not! As a matter of fact, when we’re not experiencing hard times, Satan will target us the most. Our eyes are often not on God and our defenses are down.

I Corinthians 10:12 encourages us “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!”

Begin to understand the blessing of a life of prayer. Meeting with God in prayer is much more than just reaching out for help during tough times, it’s connecting with our creator God on an intimate level and being used by him to change not only our lives, but the world around us.

When should we pray? When life is up and when it’s down!

I recently discovered that in the book of Job, it took 37 chapters for the chatter to stop, and for Job to listen as God spoke; 37 chapters! When he did finally listen to God, verse

4 of chapter 40 tells us that Job's response was

"I am unworthy--how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth."

There's a big push, now a days, to "claim our prayers". "Just claim it" many say. Now, I love to pray in faith; trusting God to move those mountains that stand in the way of victory. But there's a difference between ordering God and trusting him to work his will out in our lives. There's a "spiritual arrogance" that I see in many of us; the root of which is pride!

When we do step out in prayer, we need to keep in mind that although, as Eph. 3:20 tells us, "God is able to do abundantly more than we could ever ask or imagine," Is.55:8 reminds us that "As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Who are we to think that we can tell God what to do or how to act? There's a balance between asking the Lord to supernaturally work and yet trusting that he is in complete control, whatever the outcome! The key word here is surrender.

In comparison, many believers have "thrown the baby away with the bath water" and given up praying for those mountains to be moved! They've stopped asking God for mighty workings to be done altogether! This too, is wrong and I believe an imbalance of Gods intention!

My recent prayer times have been filled with the deep desire to come before the Lord in silence and reverence. I'm not coming before him with my list of concerns or requests. I guess, I'm being reminded of how important it is to just listen and let God be God!  Maybe I'm learning the fine art of putting my hand over my mouth!