Bigger Prayer

Bigger Prayer

Colossians 4: ¹² Greetings from Epaphras, another member of your group and a servant of Christ Jesus. He always prays fervently for you, asking God to make you stand firm, as mature and fully convinced Christians, in complete obedience to God's will. ¹³ I can personally testify to his hard work for you and for the people in Laodicea and Hierapolis. ¹⁴ Luke, our dear doctor, and Demas send you their greetings.

 

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Looking outside, I could see the wind thrashing wildly against the tall bushes. Heavy rain and lightning followed. During the storm I noticed delicate items like bird food and flower pots were not moving. I drove around later and a large tree was broken at the trunk. Why did the delicate items survive?

 

• I wondered why people go through troubles.
• I pondered about people who seem to go through life easy while others seem to have nothing but storms.
• I looked at the tremendous force blowing all around and wondered why something so delicate could be protected.

 

Epaphras prays a different prayer for everyone. Knowing there were many circumstances that were out of his control, he went straight to the source and prayed for GOD to “make” them stand firm. This was a bigger prayer that included the circumstances as well as the outcome.

 

My Observations

• GOD doesn’t mind me praying for a trial to go away for me or another person.
• My growth in GOD also includes becoming mature, fully convinced and completely committed to obeying the LORD.
• GOD is the source of “making” others stand firm and becoming mature and being fully convinced that HE is the only answer.

 

Looking at the circumstance can take my eyes off of GOD. I mean, I may be praying for the storm to go away instead of marveling that GOD can protect me in the middle of strong winds that come against me. I am no match for the storms. I have no weapons and the storms are frightening. BUT GOD is the source.

 

HE is the one I can go to and ask that HE orchestrate the circumstances in his or her life so he or she will be able to stand firm. GOD owns growth and standing firm as a fragile item shows HIS protective power. I am glad HE is the source that I can go to for a bigger prayer than the circumstance.

 

Challenge

• What is the prayer style of Epaphras?
• Did he ask GOD to make the problems go away or for GOD to do something else?
• Can you take your eyes off of the circumstance for a moment and marvel at GOD’s tremendous power to protect someone as delicate as you?

 

Prayer

Dear LORD, please make this reader stand firm, as a mature and fully convinced believer of JESUS, in complete obedience to YOUR will. amen

Powerful Powerlessness

Powerful Powerlessness

2 Corinthians 11: ³⁰ If I must boast, I will boast about things that show how weak I am. ³¹ The God and Father of the Lord Jesus—blessed be his name forever!—knows that I am not lying. ³² When I was in Damascus, the governor under King Aretas placed guards at the city gates to arrest me. ³³ But I was let down in a basket through an opening in the wall and escaped from him.

 

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Feeling powerless was old, so I decided to do something about it. I was tired of being pushed around by bullies. I joined a gym and started lifting weights. The stronger I got, the more I noticed how large the bullies were. One bully wanted me to join him to fight other bullies in a bar.

 

• I thought strength was the answer.
• I thought power was something worthy of attaining.
• I thought “I” could protect myself if I just got stronger.

 

Paul says something the world disagrees with. He boasts about being weak. He then gave an example of how the rich and powerful wanted to stop him from speaking about the King of kings, namely JESUS. Though powerless, he was protected from harm.

 

My Observations

• My weakest times are when I am most powerful in GOD’s eyes.
• Admitting “I cannot do this alone and I need GOD to handle this” is the most powerful statement I can say.
• Asking GOD for HIS will to be done is more powerful than trying to manipulate HIM to do “my” bidding.

 

Yielding to GOD is extremely powerful. I mean, when I want something so bad, that I worry about it and lay awake thinking about it, I get frustrated, confused and maybe even a little doubtful. But there is a way to approach the chaos that seems to leave me powerless. Let GOD handle it HIS way.

 

GOD has a purpose for me and for those who believe in HIS SON. The enemy wants me to think the circumstance is helpless. BUT GOD’s power is the ultimate power and HE is in control. HE owns every minute and every circumstance must go before HIM for HIS approval. I am glad I can say “YOUR will be done” and HE shows HE cares

 

Challenge

• Why did the writer choose this example?
• What examples of weakness that brings power can you think of?
• Will you let GOD handle your current situation and admit you need HIM for protection, guidance, strength and love today?

 

In loving memory of Mr. and Mrs. Farley and Mr. Davis

 

Fully Assembled

 

Fully Assembled

Romans 8: Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, ² because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. ³ For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, ⁴ in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

 

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Working on the furniture seemed pretty easy, though there were a lot of parts and instructions. I followed the instructions to the letter, but in the middle of assembly, I got distracted with some difficult news that I had to attend to. When I returned, the distraction replayed in my mind and I was not able to concentrate as I should. I missed several steps and had to disassemble the furniture and start over.

 

• There have been times when I wanted to follow all the steps but could not.
• There have been times when I was willing to follow all the steps but got distracted.
• There have been times when I tried to follow the steps, but life got in the way and I found myself skipping a few rules that I should have followed.

 

Paul had just posed a serious question. “Who can save a wretch like me?” He was given the answer. JESUS CHRIST is the Savior to those who believe in HIS resurrection and the need to be saved.

 

Paul now explains that there is no condemnation to those who believe in CHRIST JESUS. GOD did not leave salvation up to chance, because humans would easily get distracted.

 

• GOD wants me to know I am free from condemnation.
• GOD wants me to know that JESUS has given me life.
• GOD wants me to know that the instructions I could not follow were forgiven by the one who followed every instruction, namely JESUS.

 

Being born into sin starts me off with an impossibility. I mean, there is no good that I can do to erase the sin of my birth, which is tied to Adam’s sin of disobedience in the Garden of Eden. BUT GOD did the impossible.

 

HE volunteered to become a human, followed every rule HE gave humans, was falsely blamed for every sin, murdered by humans and raised to life to receive all authority. HE knew I would be condemned forever, so HE took care of the problem. I am broken BUT JESUS put me back together, fully assembled. I am grateful I now fill the righteous requirement because of JESUS.

 

• Do you think you are in control of your life?
• Are you distracted and missing a few steps, requiring you to start over again?
• Will you place your trust in JESUS, so you can have peace in HIM, so HE can provide clear direction for the purpose of your life today?

 

Powered By

Powered By

John 21: After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself: ² Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. ³ Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.”

They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing. ⁴ But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. ⁵ Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?”

They answered Him, “No.”

⁶ And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.

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Seeing traffic was getting clogged up, I exited the expressway. “Maybe the side streets will get me there faster”, I thought to myself. Stopped at numerous lights, I glanced at the slow, but steady movement on the freeway. They were going faster than I was.

I got to work later than ever. I thought missed my opportunity to meet with the person deciding if I would stay at the company or go.. I arrived just before the person and we met in the hallway. “Good timing” the person said. They invited me to move with the company as a promotion.

• Sometimes I try to fix things on my own power.
• Sometimes I think my power is what gets me places.
• Sometimes I work out plans to get myself out of situations only to make matters worse.

Peter and other disciples decided to go fishing. They were experienced fishermen and tried the same old techniques. JESUS appeared on the shore and told them to try the other side of the boat. They had fished all night. How was this going to work? And Why now? It gained them more fish than ever before.

• JESUS says to me, “Believe in MY power.”
• JESUS says to me, “I see your desire and I want what is best for you.”
• JESUS says to me, “I AM excited to show you MY power daily.”

Giving myself too much credit causes me to worry when it comes to the next problem. I mean, I may think I fixed that last problem, but when something bigger comes along, I feel overwhelmed. GOD wants me to give HIM credit for the little things so I can have faith that HE will take care of the big things. It is not my power but GOD’s that saves me and fixes everything.

• Are you trying to control your life?
• Do you think it was your power or another human’s ability that fixed the situation?
• Will you open your eyes and see GOD touching every situation?
• Will you let go and allow GOD to show HIS power today?

Nothing to Give

Luke 7: ⁴⁰ And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.”

So he said, “Teacher, say it.”

⁴¹ “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. ⁴² And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?”

⁴³ Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.”

And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.” ⁴⁴ Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. ⁴⁵ You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. ⁴⁶ You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. ⁴⁷ Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”

⁴⁸ Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

⁴⁹ And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”

⁵⁰ Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

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“Would you like a dining room set?” one family said to me. “Um, sure” I said to them. I went to their luxurious home and they had an extra dining room set with all the furniture I could imagine. “I don’t have anything to repay you” were the first words out of my mouth. “Just take it” they said.

• There were times when I felt bad because I had nothing to give.
• There were times when I had more needs than resources.
• There were times when I wanted to be a blessing to people but needed to be the recipient of blessing.

JESUS points out the flaw in humans thinking they have it all together. The Pharisee invited JESUS to his house and overlooked the need for hospitality. He did not give JESUS anything. The woman had nothing to give JESUS in return for her forgiveness. She could only offer tears and some expensive oil. She tried to give JESUS something and HE loved it.

• JESUS wants me to know I cannot repay HIM.
• JESUS wants me to know I owe HIM everything.
• JESUS wants me to know that if I serve the poor and hurt, I have served HIM.

I can never repay JESUS for forgiving me of my overt sins. HE sits right there and watches me do exactly what HE tells me not to do and then turns right around and forgives me.. All I can give HIM is my praise and desire to be like HIM. HE accepts my offering and loves me for trying.

• Do you feel you have to try harder to please GOD?
• Are you burnt out, thinking GOD is demanding more from you?
• Can you stop thinking GOD provides blessings based on your actions and simply believe HE loves you?

Confident in the Day

Psalm 21:  Surely you have granted him unending blessings
    and made him glad with the joy of your presence.
⁷ For the king trusts in the Lord;
    through the unfailing love of the Most High
    he will not be shaken.

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“Stunned” was a fitting word as I received news that I was no longer in college. I sat on the couch and stared. I had not said a prayer in years! I think I just said “help!” to GOD. Then I had a feeling come over me, “Go and beg the dean for, yet another chance.” How humiliating! I put pride aside and asked for help. I was reinstated and got stellar grades.

• There have been times when it seems like the giant in front of me is larger than life.
• There have been times when it seems like the world is moving and I am on pause.
• There have been times when it seems like my situation cannot be fixed so I should just shut the door, crawl into a ball and rock back and forth.

Life has dealt many disappointing blows, whether it was a job, person, place or thing that I wanted, many times my expectations have not been met. In other words the answer has been “NO or WAIT!” when I want the answer to be “YES and NOW!” What should I do?

• GOD says to me “Put your cares and concerns in ME and I will give you rest.”
• GOD says to me “Tell me your frailties and I will build your faith.”
• GOD says to me “Identify the thing that you do not trust ME to do and I will build your trust.”

The problem with “trusting” in my desire is what if GOD says “NO” then I would have wasted time, money and effort. BUT GOD says something different. GOD says “I see your efforts and I’M pleased.” Money, time and situations are all HIS, so when I expel any of these on what HE told me to do then it is not a waste.

JESUS expelled an enormous amount of energy explaining to HIS creations that HE is GOD and they could trust in HIM. The result was HIS own creation murdering HIM for not following the Bible as well as them. HE rose from the dead and said to me and everyone else, “See, even death could not hold ME, you can put your trust in me even when you don’t know how.

• Are you worried?
• Do you feel empty?
• Can you tell GOD you have no more energy and let HIM fill you?
• Will you learn to flow with where GOD has you and get up and focus on GOD?
• Can you stop believing the lie that the world is in peril and be unshakable, at least for today?

A Prayer for the Powerless

2 Chronicles 14: ¹¹ Then Asa called to the Lord his God and said, “Lord, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, Lord our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army. Lord, you are our God; do not let mere mortals prevail against you.”

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Surrounded on all sides again, GOD’s people felt scared, worried and full of fear. There seemed to be no way out. BUT GOD fought the battle again.

HE wants full reliance on HIM. Mere mortals will not prevail against GOD’s wonderful plan for me.

Being Protected

2 Kings 6: ¹³ “Go, find out where he is,” the king ordered, “so I can send men and capture him.” The report came back: “He is in Dothan.” ¹⁴ Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city.

¹⁵ When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked.

¹⁶ “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

¹⁷ And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

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I actually should be DEAD. After hitting a puddle on the interstate the car spun around and hit absolutely nothing. After stepping on some ice I slid under a bus that was about to move, but didn’t.

Many other scary events of guns pointed at me, walking through unsavory neighborhoods, and visiting other countries with very poor conditions come to mind when recalling brushes with death.

• GOD protects me in times I am not aware of.
• GOD protects me from dangers I could not even fathom.
• GOD protects me during troubled and worrisome times.

May times I have wondered, “GOD where are you?” not considering how many times HE has rescued me in the past. GOD is around me always, it’s just sometimes my eyes are blinded by what the world would want me to see. Pots of gold, fame and Utopian societies blind me to the point where I look at my life and feel inadequate. BUT GOD says different.

• GOD opens my eyes to HIS power each day.
• GOD says “I AM” meaning there is no need to seek anything else.
• GOD says “Come to me and I will give you rest”

Seeking GOD first opens my eyes to the dangers and snares of the world. I can then realize the power of GOD surrounds me.

• Are you feeling powerless?
• Do you feel weak compared to your circumstance?
• Can you ask GOD to open your eyes to see the spiritual army HE has sent to protect you?
• Can you thank GOD for HIS protection today?

The High Road to True Leadership

1 Samuel 24: ³ He came to the sheep pens along the way; a cave was there, and Saul went in to relieve himself. David and his men were far back in the cave. ⁴ The men said, “This is the day the Lord spoke of when he said to you, ‘I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.’” Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.

⁵ Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe. ⁶ He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the Lord.” ⁷ With these words David sharply rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. And Saul left the cave and went his way.

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“Get out of my meeting!” were the disturbing, yet satisfying words I have only spoken once in my career. As I disposed of the blustery person I felt relieved that my meeting would continue, but even more, the blatant disrespect was squelched and no one dared to challenge me like that.

Years later as I tried to change jobs, I went to interview at a company. I prepared by doing research. The next day the interview was cancelled. I was extremely confused and dug a little deeper. The guy I threw out of my meeting was in charge of the department at that company.

• Getting even is extremely satisfying, short term.
• Getting the upper hand is filled with elation, short term.
• Getting rid of blustery, mean, overbearing people is so rewarding, short term.

One might say I did the right thing at the time, but I never went back to the guy to understand what he was going through and why he was so passionate. I was so focused on the matter at hand that I could not see a larger picture of working together.

• GOD wants me to bring people together rather than always seeking ‘my way.”
• GOD wants me to forgive my enemies rather than seeking immediate vengeance on them.
• GOD wants me to see the situation from HIS perspective rather than looking at it from my short term lens.

David took the high road which actually gave him more power than he could realize. The times when I took the high road seemed foolish and downright crazy to most, BUT GOD knows and loves me for it. The high road brings people to GOD!

• Are you in a position where you can harm someone?
• Is your tongue spitting slander or poison about people?
• Can you take the high road and speak praises about “that” person?
• Will you allow GOD to take revenge on “that” person while you pray for them?

GOD is with you through the battle!

Judges 11: ²⁹ Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Jephthah. He crossed Gilead and Manasseh, passed through Mizpah of Gilead, and from there he advanced against the Ammonites.

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³² Then Jephthah went over to fight the Ammonites, and the Lord gave them into his hands. ³³ He devastated twenty towns from Aroer to the vicinity of Minnith, as far as Abel Keramim. Thus Israel subdued Ammon.

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Scowling faces made me feel a bit uneasy as I walked through the crowd. As I shook a few hands I engaged people in conversation to find out why they were so angry. As they told me their story I could empathize a bit more.

As I stood at the podium I saw the same scowls on the ocean of people but a sense of peace fell over me. I took a deep breath and began my presentation. I could actually see the scowls lift into smiles as I made some modifications to my discussion that included their pain. I could feel a spirit of peace in the room.

• GOD gives me peace when I face something huge.
• GOD leads me beside still waters and restores my soul.
• GOD fights my battles when I face difficulty.

I would like to say it was me who calmed the crowd, but in reality it was GOD who brought peace in the room. Every circumstance, every situation, every tough decision can be brought to GOD and HE has plenty of peace to give me. All I have to do is trust that HE will be with me as I walk out and fight the battle, knowing the battle is already won because of HIM!

• Are you fighting on your own strength?
• Do you think you can win the battle by yourself?
• Won’t you stop fighting without GOD and ask HIM to go before you today?
• Can you trust that HE has your best interest in mind?