S-"But when it pleased God....to reveal His son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood..." Gal 1: 15-17
O- When Paul heard from the Lord, He did not need to go to people, even Christian leaders, to get confirmation.
A- My relationship is only between me and the Lord. It is intensely personal. God talks directly with me, and I do not need to always turn to other Christians to validate what God has said.
P- Lord, You know that I am often desiring to hear your words from the lips of people. But you also know that they are not God in my life. And I pray that you would help me to develop a close enough walk with You that I can trust Your whispers above the counsel of my friends and family. If there is ever a time that I am misled in my understanding of Your direction for my life, I pray that you would send Godly counsel to intervene. But if you have something for me that is just for You and me, please give me the faith in You to trust You and not to turn to others.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
To fast or not to fast: That is the question.
My friend and I are fasting every Thursday for about 24 hours. We began doing this as a result of our Thursday night Bible study, where we would like to see God move. For the first few weeks I did it grudgingly. I really didn't have any extra time in the day to pray, so I felt like it was a hypocritical fast - to fast but not really pray. But I did it anyway, and I didn't feel like I saw any amazing results.
The next few weeks I actually forgot, and would eat a meal and then realize OOPS!
This week I did remember, and it was tough. I have some candy in my drawer at work and OH how I wanted to eat it. Several times I almost gave up and nibbled a few, but then I would pray this prayer. "Lord, I am hungry. But even more I am hungry for You. Help me to be even more hungry for You, and also help me to resist those awesome Hershey's Kisses."
And here's the result:
-My boss made the comment "I need to pray with you in the room more often. The Lord really heard my prayer" (regarding the stock market turning around)
-Our small group tonight was totally awesome. Several people shared who have not normally shared, and I think a sense of oneness and belonging was present.
-My husband applied for a new job today, and although I don't know that he will get it, I am consumed with peace that the Lord knows the perfect place for him, and the Lord knows I have four children and really need Him to be the provider this winter.
-Tonight my kids have gone to bed easily, and I am feeling the call to read the Word and pray, which I often hear and ignore, but tonight I am easily saying YES LORD!
The next few weeks I actually forgot, and would eat a meal and then realize OOPS!
This week I did remember, and it was tough. I have some candy in my drawer at work and OH how I wanted to eat it. Several times I almost gave up and nibbled a few, but then I would pray this prayer. "Lord, I am hungry. But even more I am hungry for You. Help me to be even more hungry for You, and also help me to resist those awesome Hershey's Kisses."
And here's the result:
-My boss made the comment "I need to pray with you in the room more often. The Lord really heard my prayer" (regarding the stock market turning around)
-Our small group tonight was totally awesome. Several people shared who have not normally shared, and I think a sense of oneness and belonging was present.
-My husband applied for a new job today, and although I don't know that he will get it, I am consumed with peace that the Lord knows the perfect place for him, and the Lord knows I have four children and really need Him to be the provider this winter.
-Tonight my kids have gone to bed easily, and I am feeling the call to read the Word and pray, which I often hear and ignore, but tonight I am easily saying YES LORD!
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Where did the gospel come from?
S- "For I make known to you, bretheren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ." Gal 1: 11-12
O- The gospel was not created by men.
A- There are times when the gospel feels foreign to me, even though I've been a Christian almost my whole life. I often feel like Jesus was absolutely an alien. There are times when the whole thought of reading His life makes me tremble with fear, and with frustration. Recently, I HAVE been ashamed of the Gospel, the fact of which makes me even MORE ashamed! But I am freed by the fact that I don'thave to make it fit into my brain, any more that I have to understand gravity the way Newton did. I just have to trust it.
P - Lord, my brain doesn't get it, my heart sometimes doesn't, and my friends and coworkers definitely don't. Would you forgive me for trying to fit you and your plan into my box? Help me to expand my understanding of you, and of the greatness of your divinity, and of the majesty of your Godness. Please help me not to be ashamed of your gospel, but to embrace it fully as your plan for every man, and to see their bondage without it.
O- The gospel was not created by men.
A- There are times when the gospel feels foreign to me, even though I've been a Christian almost my whole life. I often feel like Jesus was absolutely an alien. There are times when the whole thought of reading His life makes me tremble with fear, and with frustration. Recently, I HAVE been ashamed of the Gospel, the fact of which makes me even MORE ashamed! But I am freed by the fact that I don'thave to make it fit into my brain, any more that I have to understand gravity the way Newton did. I just have to trust it.
P - Lord, my brain doesn't get it, my heart sometimes doesn't, and my friends and coworkers definitely don't. Would you forgive me for trying to fit you and your plan into my box? Help me to expand my understanding of you, and of the greatness of your divinity, and of the majesty of your Godness. Please help me not to be ashamed of your gospel, but to embrace it fully as your plan for every man, and to see their bondage without it.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
SOAP
There is a blog I've been following, which I'm sure I'll eventually find the link to, that has been inpiring me with a glimpse into the prayer life of a woman seeking G0d. She uses the "SOAP" method,and after much procrastinating I am going to give it a shot!
S-Scripture
O-Observation
A-Application
P-Prayer
I don't really have any book of the Bible calling out to me, so I thought I would try to trek through Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians, and see if I come out a gracious, encouraging, fruitful, humble gal -- the way Paul would want me to be!
S - "Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself from our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father." Galatians 1: 3
O- God knows that I am living in an evil time, and He already has an answer - the death of my Lord Jesus Christ to deliver me from my sins.
A- God is more concerned about MY sins than the sins of all of the evil people around me! It is my faith in Jesus, and His forgiveness that will deliver me, not politicians, not morality, and not happiness.
P- Lord, I am feeling the pressing evil of the present age, and sometimes it scares me. Thank you that You already see it all, and You have already provided an answer, and that You also see my sin and all of my encumbrances and You have already provided deliverance! Thank you!
S-Scripture
O-Observation
A-Application
P-Prayer
I don't really have any book of the Bible calling out to me, so I thought I would try to trek through Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians, and see if I come out a gracious, encouraging, fruitful, humble gal -- the way Paul would want me to be!
S - "Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself from our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father." Galatians 1: 3
O- God knows that I am living in an evil time, and He already has an answer - the death of my Lord Jesus Christ to deliver me from my sins.
A- God is more concerned about MY sins than the sins of all of the evil people around me! It is my faith in Jesus, and His forgiveness that will deliver me, not politicians, not morality, and not happiness.
P- Lord, I am feeling the pressing evil of the present age, and sometimes it scares me. Thank you that You already see it all, and You have already provided an answer, and that You also see my sin and all of my encumbrances and You have already provided deliverance! Thank you!
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