Every prayer is heard

Revelation 8: ³ Then another angel with a gold incense burner came and stood at the altar. And a great amount of incense was given to him to mix with the prayers of God’s people as an offering on the gold altar before the throne. 

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After reading this passage of scripture, it makes me want to change my prayers.  I mean some of my conversations with GOD are full of complaints of how things are not going the way “I” want them to. I wonder if I need to change my perspective on prayer.

• GOD is sovereign which means HE has the highest authority over me and my wishes.
• GOD is all knowing which means HE knows when I am requesting something harmful that I think is innocent.
• GOD is everywhere which means HE knows about the person who wants to harm me as well as those who will provide relief.
• GOD is all powerful which means HE is far more than a wish granter rather HE is a “will” maker.
• GOD is all seeing which means HE sees right through my plans.

My prayers need to praise GOD while petitioning HIM to change the situation. JESUS showed many times that HE was moved by the difficult circumstances humans face. Somehow my prayer translates to faith in the one who can do something about the situation. My prayers should not be wasted on complaints rather they should point to GOD’s majesty.

• How do you speak to GOD?
• Are you treating HIM as a common human or as GOD?
• Can you praise GOD in the middle of your circumstance?

Why I persist

Revelation 7: ¹⁶ ‘Never again will they hunger;

never again will they thirst.
The sun will not beat down on them,’
nor any scorching heat.
¹⁷ For the Lamb at the center of the throne
will be their shepherd;
‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’
‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”

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I have to admit, I absolutely love the promises of GOD.  Since I have built in self-preservation, I wonder about where my meals will come from and will I remain sheltered.  Even when I stock pile cash for retirement, it’s all for eating and living comfortably.

• GOD promises I will never have to worry about being hungry.
• GOD promises I will never have to worry about being thirsty.
• GOD promises I will never have to worry about shelter from the elements.
• GOD promises I will never have to worry and HE will wipe every tear from my eyes.

I love these promises and I live for these promises. CHRIST does not build HIS kingdom here on Earth; rather HIS kingdom is in Heaven and will be inhabited by those who remain faithful to the belief in the SON.

Eating, drinking and living in shelter only bring temporary satisfaction and I will worry about them tomorrow, but GOD’s kingdom is eternal and I will never have to worry again.  This is where I place my faith and why I persist.

• Are you focused only on today?
• Do you believe GOD is concerned about you here on Earth as well as eternally?
• Can you split your focus on today as well as helping to build GOD’s kingdom by telling others about the gift the SON gave us?

How much longer?

Revelation 5: ⁹ When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. ¹⁰ They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?”

¹¹ Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters, were killed just as they had been.

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We traveled by car to go on “vacation” and the scenery was not appealing and it wasn’t really a vacation. We were headed to some relative and it was going to take a million hours to get there! “How much longer” I would ask only to be met with “relax, we’ll get there.”

This impatience spread to other parts of my life. When will I graduate? When will I get promoted? When will I get married? When Will I get a new job? When will this problem ever end? LORD, how much longer was my question.

• When I’m in pain I cannot see the destination, only my present location.
• When I’m challenged I’m blinded to my journey because it felt like I was standing still.
• When I’m feeling lost I think everything around me is lost as well because I can’t see the big picture.

One false expectation I have is I can make a sliver of heaven here on this cursed planet.  If I could just get the right amount of cash and if people would just act right and if my stuff would just last and if my health would just be good enough then I will believe GOD has HIS hand in it.

GOD says different.

• GOD says to me “no matter how difficult the road, stay on the path.”
• GOD says to me “ you've come this far by faith, no turning back.”
• GOD says to me “I have a white robe for you, which means your sins are forgiven.”

When life is filled with desperation GOD is calm and still because HE knows HIS great plan for me cannot be disturbed. In this dystopian society GOD is my focus.

• Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired?
• Are you ready for “this” to be finished?
• Can you focus on GOD who holds the beginning and end of your situation?
• In the middle of your situation can you reach out to GOD to gain strength to help others?

Purpose

Revelation 5: ² And I saw a strong angel, who shouted with a loud voice: “Who is worthy to break the seals on this scroll and open it?” ³ But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll and read it.

⁴ Then I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll and read it. ⁵ But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

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Scrawny, scraggly, and scared described me well. It seemed like everyone else “fit” and I didn't.  I mean my quirkiness and rough appearance did not draw a crowd.  I wondered “what good was I.” Do I even have a purpose? JESUS had a purpose.

• I’m not sure of the timing but I wonder if the scrolls were made when Satan wanted to be GOD.
• I’m not sure of the decree BUT GOD must have said only a sinless person can open the scroll.
• I’m not sure what was at stake BUT GOD placed HIS trust in HIS SON.

The scrolls written here are the judgments GOD has on the Earth and Satan. Only a sinless human could open the scrolls. JESUS volunteered to become that sinless human. I have no idea what HE gave up but HE sacrificed HIMSELF for me.

Satan thought he could prevent the scrolls from being opened so he tempted the first humans and ruined all of humanity. BUT JESUS was different. HE was born as a human through the SPIRIT and has no sin in HIM. HE is the only one worthy to open the scroll.

Now what does this have to do with me?  HIS salvation has given me purpose. Just as JESUS entire life had purpose to save humanity, HE has given me purpose to reach at least one person with my life if not more.  HE wants me to tell people they don’t have to work hard for their salvation because JESUS already took care of that.

Place your trust in HIM and that’s all you need!

• Are you wandering through life without a purpose?
• Do you believe GOD made you special with tasks that can only be completed by you?
• Can you follow JESUS’ lead and live your life with purpose?
• Do you understand GOD wants you to rest and let HIM take care of things?

HE is definitely worthy!

Revelation 4: ¹¹ “You are worthy, O Lord our God,

    to receive glory and honor and power.
For you created all things,
    and they exist because you created what you pleased.”

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GOD is worthy to receive glory from me which puts HIM highest in my life and I revere HIM in wonder.

GOD is worthy to receive honor from me which puts HIS name as the one with authority in my life accepting HIS integrity and knowing HIS quality is highest.

GOD is worthy to leverage HIS power in my life for only HE has power over all forces and actions.

GOD has always existed, still exists and will always exist.

GOD created everything and they only exist because HE wanted it to exist and was pleased by what HE made.

GOD has no evil in HIM only pure love.

By understanding GOD a little more maybe I should translate the fact that everything I have is HIS. Every bite of food I take, HE provided. Everything I accomplish, HE ordained.

GOD is definitely worthy!

I need to go shopping!

Revelation 3: ¹⁸ I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

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“There, how does that fit?” the sales clerk asked. “Perfect” was my answer to my new tailored suit. After spending thirty minutes picking out the perfect tie I was now ready to show off my new garments. After wearing the suit twice I noticed a thread coming loose. Even worse I had a snag in my new silk tie. The suit looked old and I hadn't worn it much. I better find a new place to shop!

• Castles, cars and coins rust and deteriorate yet I still crave them.
• Clothes, caps and capes show others I’m successful but they cannot hide my sin from GOD.
• Cruises, champagne, and concierge made me feel special but blinded me to the hurt that was all around me.

Many say “there is nothing wrong with having stuff as long as stuff doesn't have you.” But I find it difficult to have stuff and not let the stuff have me. I mean if I purchase a car it has to be paid for and maintained, same with a house or a gadget.

Also, I did convince myself I deserved a first class vacation because of my neglect to my family by working all the time. When something went wrong I didn't have the words of CHRIST rather I threatened to take my “money” elsewhere. I wonder if I was blind.

• GOD says “buy from ME gold refined in the fire” because it is free of impurities and reflects HIS very nature, this way my wealth is in people not items that can break.
• GOD says “buy white clothes from me” which is the garment of confession, truth, wisdom and purity all of which HE uses to cleanse my unrighteousness.
• GOD says “buy slave to put on your eyes, so you can see” this way I will no longer be blind to how my sin is hurting me and others and I won’t pass by someone in need.

GOD wants me to visit HIS store instead of lusting over the things of this world. I haven’t figured out a way to not let “things have me” but I do realize focusing on GOD brings me legitimate wealth.

• Are you struggling to keep your stuff?
• Do you find yourself wanting more stuff or the latest gadget or the best garments?
• Can you let go of the stuff for a moment and help someone?
• Won’t you seek GOD’s heart and be wealthy HIS way?

Curiously walk right through the door

Revelation 3: ⁸ I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

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Trembling, I sat in the waiting area ready to meet the group of executives and reviewing my background in my mind. When they brought me in I felt at ease and we had a good conversation until they asked me “that” question. “How do you feel about downsizing half the staff here?” “Rotten” was the answer. Immediately I saw the door shut and that opportunity went away.

• Sometimes I build up expectations in my mind and I get slammed down to earth with reality.
• Sometimes I want something so bad only to find I can’t have it and I get disappointed.
• Sometimes I try for the prize only to realize my efforts weren't good enough.

Disappointment places a fork in the road for me. Either I am going to become “discouraged” which will lead to me not listening to GOD or I will choose to be “curious” which leads to life. Of course GOD wants me to choose the latter of the two.

• When I am curious about GOD I seek what HE is all about.
• When I am curious about GOD I look for HIS desires.
• When I am curious about GOD I search for HIS people, HIS ways, HIS situations no matter how much strength I have.

JESUS said “I am the door.” HE also said “What I open no one can shut and what I shut no one can open.” HE has opened the door for me so many times and all I had to do was walk through it. HE shuts the door on my evil desires and opens the door to a path that leads to life.

GOD knows me. HE knows what little strength I have and HE is pleased with my pitiful efforts to serve HIM. HE places the door in front of me and HE wants me to be curious enough to walk through it. My curiosity of HIM grows my faith.

• Have you already made up your mind that GOD can’t use you?
• Is your heart so filled with stone that you cannot follow HIM anymore?
• Are you still curious about HIS ways or do you think you know it all?
• Won’t you seek HIS new adventure or are you convinced you are at the end of the road?