Prayer for Your Strength

Prayer for Your Strength

Colossians 1: ^11-12 May you be made strong with all the strength which comes from his glorious power, so that you may be able to endure everything with patience. And with joy give thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to have your share of what God has reserved for his people in the kingdom of light. 

 

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Weakness has been a lifelong problem with me. From bullies who physically taunted me to falling for temptation to acquiescing to fear, it seemed like I had no strength to fight off foes I was supposed to.be able to withstand.

 

• I felt weak.
• I wondered “Why does GOD let people get away with things?”
• I complained “Why do YOU allow attacks, hurt and pain?”

 

Paul knew many people would question their suffering and pain. Because of his relationship with CHRIST, he was able to do amazing things, but he also had to suffer great pain. Knowing the pain he went through, he said a small prayer for those who follow GOD and are persecuted for it.

 

My Observations

• When I am weak, GOD is strong.
• Placing everything in GOD’s hands makes me strong.
• Seeking GOD’s protection helps me to let go of things that make me worry.

 

Too much ownership makes me worry which in turn causes me to take action “my” way. I mean, when I look at the thing that is in front of me, am I frustrated, or wanting “my” way or filled with fear? The answer has been “all \of the above.” BUT GOD has a remedy, “Give it to ME.”

 

No decision is too large or small for GOD. HE can withstand my sin and provide grace when I fall. HE gives me patience to not run away from difficulties and joy to endure hardship which brings thanks instead of complaints. I am thankful GOD is willing to share what HE has reserved for HIS people in the kingdom of light with me.

 

Challenge

• What strength does the writer suggest?
• Have you ever felt weak?
• Will you let go of your decisions and allow GOD to guide you so you can endure “everything with patience?”

 

Prayer

Dear LORD, please bless this reader with strength that comes from YOU. Bless this reader with endurance, patience, joy and thankfulness that YOU have made us share in YOUR kingdom of light. amen

Powerful Weapons

Powerful Weapons

2 Corinthians 10: I, Paul, make a personal appeal to you—I who am said to be meek and mild when I am with you, but harsh with you when I am away. By the gentleness and kindness of Christ ² I beg you not to force me to be harsh when I come; for I am sure I can deal harshly with those who say that we act from worldly motives. ³ It is true that we live in the world, but we do not fight from worldly motives. ⁴ The weapons we use in our fight are not the world's weapons but God's powerful weapons, which we use to destroy strongholds. We destroy false arguments; ⁵ we pull down every proud obstacle that is raised against the knowledge of God; we take every thought captive and make it obey Christ. ⁶ And after you have proved your complete loyalty, we will be ready to punish any act of disloyalty.

 

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Feeling worried about the impending news, we gathered in a conference room and spoke only about the potential layoffs. No work was being done. I felt quite helpless. One person walked in the room with a smile that was genuine.

 

At first we thought she was coming in to say she was told she had a job, or perhaps she was relieved to be let go. She said, “GOD has this.” We all felt better.

 

• I looked to the world for answers.
• I tried to mimic people who the world said was “successful.”
• I valued bottom line figures over things I thought were weak.

 

Paul spoke about his approach to spreading the Gospel of JESUS. Some may have said his approach was weak because did not use manipulative words to gain trust in groups as the world would do. He could have replied harshly, but he recognized using GOD’s weapons would be more important.

 

My Observations

• Strongholds will be torn down when I use GOD’s weapons.
• False arguments will eventually reveal the truth when I use GOD’s weapons.
• Proud obstacles that deter people from knowing CHRIST will be overcome when I use GOD’s weapons.

 

You mean to tell me I have to fight with love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, gentleness, kindness, faithfulness and self-control? These sound weak! I mean, what about using the world’s tactics that seem to work for famous people? GOD’s weapons are more powerful than the rich and powerful.

 

HE wants me to be genuine with my belief in HIM to solve every problem that may arise. I sometimes want to jump in with “my” plan and HE tells me to “be patient” because HE is building the faithful side in me. GOD knows my circumstances and provides abundantly. I am glad HIS weapons are at work when I cannot see them.

 

Challenge

• What do you notice about the writer’s view on worldly motives and weapons?
• Are you trying to fight strongholds, false arguments and proud obstacles using worldly tactics and feel you are losing?
• Will you trade in the world’s weapons for more powerful weapons that only come from GOD today?

Free at Last

Free at Last

Acts 12: ⁵ Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. ⁶ And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. ⁷ Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands. ⁸ Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.” ⁹ So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. ¹⁰ When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.

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Waking up with no meetings felt strange. No email to check and no phone calls to make was new to me. The elimination of the position I held was now real. All of the things I said I had no time for was brought to mind. I’m not talking about a “to do” list, rather GOD was asking me “Do you have time for ME now?”

• There were times when I just wanted to be free.
• There were times when I didn’t want responsibilities.
• There were times when I dreamed of being on my own schedule.

Peter was heavily guarded and bound with chains between guards. Those who did not believe in the resurrection of JESUS, may have thought this measure of security would prevent any deception from happening. BUT GOD never deceives. HE sent an angel to free Peter.

• GOD wants me to be free indeed.
• GOD wants me to be loosed from strongholds.
• GOD wants me to be lifted out of addictions.

Life has many holes for me to fall into. Desires for more stuff or lust over people, power or positions can cause me to get stuck on things that bind me, never seeing GOD in my daily walk.

GOD wants me to be freed up so I can speak about HIM another day. The pursuit of wealth and pleasure can bind the soul, but the pursuit of GOD’s kingdom frees the spirit. I am grateful JESUS has set me free. I am free indeed.

• Are you stuck in or on something?
• Do you feel locked up and want to be free?
• Will you give your life to JESUS so HE will become your purpose and you will be free, even in the place you want to run away from?

GOD hears me

Exodus 2:²³ During that long period, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God. ²⁴ God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. ²⁵ So God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them.

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“One more mile to go” was the thought in my tired mind. This wasn’t marathon training rather it was my commute home from school. We got off the third bus of our commute and instead of waiting on the last one we decided to walk.  As we began our journey across a massive grocer parking lot we were met with a gang of hoodlums.

We looked at each other, said where we would meet and took off “zigzag” running in opposite directions. Track practice had paid off for us. We joined each other after I was sure the police were on their way.

• There are times where I will face adversity.
• There are times when things will seem like everything is going wrong.
• There are times when I will be sure “this is going to end very badly.”

I used to ask why GOD allows so many problems to happen to me.  I mean shouldn’t I be problem free since I believe in HIS SON for my salvation?  Now that I have matured I realize it’s because of my belief that I will face adversity!  GOD knows this life will be difficult and HE is there for me.

• GOD hears me when I am scared.
• GOD hears me when I am worried.
• GOD hears me when I feel like giving up.

GOD knows exactly what I’m going through.  HIS hand of protection forges my faith in HIM because HE has delivered me time after time.  HE hears my groans and rescues me!

• Are you facing adversity?
• Do you feel like crying out for help?
• Do you realize GOD hears you?
• Can you understand that GOD has a plan for you on the other side of this trial? 

I have an arsenal available to me

2 Corinthians 10: ⁴ The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.5 

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“Woe is me” I thought to myself many times. I mean “that” person didn’t treat me right or I didn’t win the contest or I was broke again or someone including myself felt sick. “Can’t I ever get ‘my’ way?

• I fight against GOD when what I want isn’t what I need.
• I struggle with GOD when HE delays my deliverance.
• I wrestle with GOD when I lose my faith in HIM and try to go my own way.

There is something inside me that says “this GOD stuff is too hard, give up and go your own way.” The problem with that crazy statement is “which way can I go outside of GOD?” The very thought that I can do better without GOD puts me on the wrong path. Soon my thoughts attack HIS intentions and even still they attack HIS existence. How do I combat this?

• GOD gave me HIS Bible to keep my mind focused on HIS wonderful promises for me.
• GOD gave me five senses to see, smell, hear, taste and touch HIM daily.
• GOD gave me HIS HOLY SPIRIT to live inside me and comfort me when things go wrong.
• GOD gave me HIS SON who died in my place giving me free access to the FATHER whom I can ask for anything.

This little situation or that one cannot match the weapons GOD has given me. In fact, once I assess the situation I notice my faith is really being attacked and I am tempted not to use my weapons. GOD says “try ME out and watch the outcome.” HE changes me to be stronger to handle the situation while bringing others along.

The power is with GOD and while I may not get “my” way I will get the best way!

• Are you battling something?
• Is there something in your life making you doubt GOD?
• Can you look at the weapons GOD has given you to protect you?
• Will you help someone realize GOD’s power today?

You are what you “see.”

Luke 11: ³⁴ Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness. ³⁵ See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness.

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Huddled around a hole gouged in the locker room wall that separated our dressing area from the girls, we took turns peeping making us late for our next class. Pervert! Standing around complaining because everyone else was, so I joined in. Complainer! Joining in on the mob to take “that” person down. Backstabber! And the list goes on.

• I become a creep if I watch a steady diet of creepy things.
• I become a violent person if I watch violence as a regular diet.
• I become a bully if I watch and admire other bullies get their way.

Sometimes I have to turn the TV off! I mean to get away from the depressed news, over indulgent sensuality, compassionless sarcastic humor and over exaggerated violence. I found I needed “silence” to heal my soul because I saw too many negative things that wounded and harassed my spirit. I was becoming the things I watched.

• In order to be compassionate, I need to see examples of compassion.
• In order to be loving, I need to see examples of love.
• In order to be caring, I need to see people who need to be cared for.

I can’t always hide from the sewage spilling into my mind, but I can purposefully seek a break from it in order to serve GOD the way HE wants to be served. When I look at whatever is good, lovely, pure and kind, I find all burdens, fears, worries and doubts to go away. I can then praise GOD!

• What are you looking at?
• Is the thing you are looking at causing you to lust or stumble?
• Can you take time to stop looking at that for a moment?
• Will you seek to look at someone serving?

Am I fighting the right fight?

2 Corinthians 10: 3For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

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When it comes to political speeches and commercials you really don’t want my opinion, but here it is anyway. Double talking and posturing insights rage and anger in me. Instead of solutions people are too concerned about “who” is in power not “what” is being done! Whew! Have I complained about “them” enough? What about me?

As I looked at politicians I realized that I too act like them at times. When I want my way my double standard shines brilliantly. Unfortunately my double standard doesn’t work well against “stronghold” or powerful evils and addictions.

• My judgmental attitude doesn’t mix well with GOD’s compassion.
• My fear doesn’t mix well with GOD’s faith.
• My lust doesn’t mix well with GOD’s purity.
• My short fuse doesn’t mix well with GOD’s patience.
• My rage doesn’t mix well with GOD’s kindness.
• My prejudice doesn’t mix well with GOD’s love for “all” humans.

GOD clearly doesn’t like the actions of a “double talker.” HE definitely will punish those who posture to get their way and trip people up in their words so HE wants me to act right and use HIS weapons.

• GOD wants me to control my lust by focusing on serving.
• HE desires that I drop my fears, doubts and worries by getting excited about HIS current plan.
• GOD loves when I have patience for people, especially when I don’t hold them to “my” standard.
• HE is extremely pleased when I comfort the sad, enlighten the lost, encourage the depressed and build up the anguished.

In order to attack the “strongholds” of life, GOD wants me to use HIS tools of love, grace, mercy and peace. What strange tools… but these are the only effective tools.

• What fight are you trying to fight?
• Are you taking matters into your own hands?
• Are your actions based on what GOD wants you to do?
• Are you helping someone out of a “stronghold?”
• Are you stuck in an addiction or stronghold?