More Spiritual Abundance

More of God's Gifts.

Supplies: Philippians 4:19,

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.  

Entrance: 2 Peter 1:10-11,

¹⁰ Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. ¹¹ For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (The qualities mentioned here are found in verses 5-7 of the same chapter. Read the first 15 verses. There is a lot of great wisdom here.)

God bids me to come and ask having the faith which is more than believing it is  knowing that He will provide. I have experienced His abundance and answers to many a prayer. I use scriptures to pray because all God's promises are yes in Him. There are many times when I have had to wait on God's timing and times when I have stepped out on my own only to fall on my face. God is more than gracious to forgive me and has taught me many valuable lessons from my wrong steps. There is a big difference between need and want. Philippians says that God will supply all my need not my want. I do want to use caution here and remind you that 2 Peter is not promoting works for salvation. Paul is pointing out the qualities that are desirable in a believer and that there is a reward in heaven for those who practice these qualities. There is to be fruit that bears witness to what I believe.

My Prayer: Dear Lord, hear my prayer, cause me to develop these qualities in my life that I may bring You glory and show others the way to You. Forgive me when I fall short and I will more times than not. Help me to forgive myself and show grace and mercy to others. Amen.

Spiritual Abundance

God's Gifts of

Joy: Psalm 36:7-9,  

  How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
    The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
⁸ They feast on the abundance of your house,
    and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
⁹ For with you is the fountain of life;
    in your light do we see light.

Life: John 10:10-11, Jesus speaking,

  ¹⁰ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. ¹¹ I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Grace: 2 Corinthians 9:6-8,

⁶ Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. ⁷ Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸ And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Power: Ephesians 3:20-21,

²⁰ Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

These are just a few of the many gifts that God gives to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. With these gifts I am better able to be a blessing to others and glorify God. God is indeed a good, good Father. He bids me to ask and keep on asking, to seek and keep on seeking, and knock and keep on knocking. It is an active relationship between Him and I. I have at times and I am experiencing these gifts in my life. He truly is able to do more than all I can ask or imagine.

 My Prayer: Dear Father in heaven, it is by Your mercy and grace that I have received Your many blessings and gifts. Help me to use them wisely and with discernment to be a blessing to others. I give You thanks and praise for them all. Amen.

Ask & You Shall Receive

Yet, God Does Require Something of Me First.

John 14:13; 15:7;  16:24; 1 John 5:14

Ask and I shall receive sounds great, however, I can't just ask for anything and everything I want. In God's word Jesus tells me that whatever I ask for I should ask it in His name that the Father may be glorified. It tells me further that I am to abide in Him and His words in me then what I ask for will be according to His will which is key to receive that which I ask. This way, too, I am asking for others and not just myself and seeking to glorify God and not myself. My heavenly Father wants me to ask according to His will and in the name of Jesus that in receiving my joy may be full. God is a good Father. All good gifts come down from the Father. It is out of His great love for mankind that He bids me to come to Him with my petitions and requests. Let me not forget to ask with praise and thanksgiving in my heart. According to Matthew 21:22, I am to have faith when I pray that I will receive what I ask and in God's timing not my own. However, Satan wants to fill my head with lies that my heavenly will not hear me let alone answer. For when I am not in prayer, I am defeated. Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.

My Prayer: Lord, hear my prayer, You are a good, good Father for You love me with an everlasting love. You are sovereign and there is none like in all the earth. Please give me wisdom and discernment in dealing with others that I may bring You glory. Amen.  

Lack Wisdom then Ask God

He Finds No Fault in Our Asking!

James 1:5; 3:15-18

  

I, especially, like James 1:5 because God finds no fault in my asking for wisdom; not only that but He also will give it generously to those who ask. How often, am I generous when asked of something? Not so much, I'm afraid. I am so glad that God is not like me. Yet, His wisdom is far greater than worldly wisdom which is envious and bitter as well as full of self ambition. God's wisdom is from above and it is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. Who wouldn't want this kind of wisdom? 

As I encourage my young men, who have their unique challenges, into the working world, I have to draw on God's wisdom so that I do not sabotage their growth. I lift them up in prayer that God would give them strength and perseverance necessary to do their work. I know that God has a future and a hope for them. I cannot allow myself to get in the way. I cannot rescue them. The time as come from them to become all that God has created them to be. God, alone, is able to give them the ability to achieve success.

My Prayer: Dear Lord God, I praise and thank You for the job opportunity for my young men. Please inspire them on to greater things and strengthen them. Help me not to get in the way or to rescue them. You have a purpose and a plan for them. Amen.

Spiritual Rest

Good for the Soul.

Matthew 11:28-29: Proverbs 1:33; Psalm62:8

In Matthew, I am instructed to turn to Jesus to find rest for my soul, for He is gentle and His yoke is easy. From Proverbs, I will dwell secure and be at ease, without fear or dread of disaster, if I listen to God's wisdom. I looked up the definition for refuge and I chose the third definition; anything to which one has recourse for aid, relief, or escape. God is where I can turn for aid, relief, or escape for there is no other place that can afford me the security that He alone provides me. Psalm 62:8, God is my refuge and I am to trust in Him at all times. It is in Him that I find my rest and He will renew my strength that I may be all that He created me to be and do. Rest in Him; it does the body good!

My Prayer: Dear God, may I find my rest in You. You alone are my refuge yet I am not always mindful of this. Help me to remember that You are my strength and source of rest. May others find rest in You as well. Amen.

Note: I will be absent for a few days but will return on Thursday. Blessings to you in His grace and peace.

 

Be Renewed & Be Transformed

More on Being

 Ephesians 4:23; Romans 12:2; Colossians 3:10

As I continue mining God's Word, I am finding more instructions on being. Ephesians tells me to be renewed in the spirit of my mind. Romans tells me even more, I am not to be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of my mind. Colossians reads that I am to put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created me.

Wow, there is a lot here. I am to be renewed in my mind and be transformed by the renewing of my mind. Renew in the Greek means to replace thought process in error. 

So what thought process is in error? That would have to be the way that I was trained and the way the world wants me to think.

How am I to do this? The word of God. Hebrews 4:12, For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 

God's word is truth. It sanctifies and cleanses those who love Him. The Word is what will renew and transform my mind and to be like Him. After all, I am a new creation in Him. Though I still contend with my sinful nature and do those things which I know that I should not and not do the things that I should. This is what makes grace so amazing. If I admit my sins and confess then God who is faithful and just will forgive me for all my sins. He is a God of second chances.

My Prayer: Dear God, thank you for loving me and helping to renew and transform my thinking. Forgive for the many times that I fall short. Give me the strength to do better. Amen.

Morning & Evening Prayers

In Reflection of the 

Just Be Postings

Here are prayers that I composed to help me stay focused on the One who has the power to help me to "just be." May they also help you to seek God's power to be as He as called us.

Morning Prayer

Dear Father in heaven, hear my prayer.

I ask that You would make me in new in my attitudes that I would be kind and compassionate to those I come in contact with as well as those I love. Cause me be to be an imitator of You. Help me to walk in love and to make the most of every opportunity. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, direct me away from all foolish talk and give me the right words to respond. May all I say and do count and encourage others to do the same. All glory and honor be Yours. Amen.

Evening Prayer

Dear Father in heaven,

Search my heart and show me where I failed to be peaceable with my neighbor. Reveal to me any bitterness that I might confess it and replace it with forgiveness, grace, and mercy. If I were quarrelsome today, forgive me and help me to be kind to everyone especially those on the road with me. Restore to me the desire to seek righteousness, love and peace. All these I ask that I might bring You glory and point others to You. Amen.

 

[ Be Holy ] Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.
1 Peter 1:13 NIV

Just Be Part 2

A Continuance on a Theme

Yesterday's posting was in regards to "just be." Delving further into God's word, I came across some more scriptures to help me know how to "be." 

Hebrews 12:14-15 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. ¹⁵ See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

2 Timothy 2:22-24 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. ²³ Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. ²⁴ And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.

Therefore, with the Lord's help, I am to be peaceable with everyone and I am not to allow bitterness to take root because it only causes trouble. I am to be a pursuer of righteousness, love and peace and in turn steer clear of foolish and stupid arguments which only lead to quarrels. As a servant of the Lord's, I am not to be quarrelsome though I am to be kind to everyone, able to teach and not resentful.

With this in mind, at the end of the day, I ought to examine myself to see if and where I have fallen short in my goal to "be" what I have been instructed to "be" according to His word. Then I can seek forgiveness, repent, and seek God's strength to do better the next day. 

My Prayer: Dear God, hear my prayer, forgive me for when I have fallen short in my effort to be all that You have called me to be and help me to strive to do better tomorrow. Amen.

Good Advice

Just Be.

Last month, someone told me to just be. This turned out to be just the right thing for me. Instead of fretting over what or how someone was going to respond or think about something I did, I just let myself be. I accepted things as they were and did not try to make everyone happy. When I get stressed I stop and think, just be. 

I know there are several places in the New Testament that "be" is used. I found a few in Ephesians 4:17-5:21. This helps me to know how I am to "be."

4:23-24   to be made new in the attitude of your minds; ²⁴ and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (NIV)

 4:32  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.(NIV)

5:1 -2 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. ² And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. (NKJV)

5:15-20  Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.¹⁸ Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹ speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, ²⁰ always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, I am to be made new in my attitudes, be kind and compassionate to those around me, forgiving them as God has forgiven me. I am to be an imitator of God walking in love and yet to be careful how I live and making the most of every opportunity nor being foolish, seeking only to know His will. I am to be filled with His spirit in order to encourage and lift others up with songs, psalms, and hymns.

My Prayer: Dear God, help me to be. To Be kind and compassionate as well as forgiving. To be filled with Your spirit that I all I say and do count for Your glory. I know that apart from You I can do nothing. Work in me and through me,Lord. Amen.

Prayer for The New Year!

Make It Count!

I recently read Bronwyn Lea's blog (see link above) and she helped me to change the way I pray as well. In her blog, she said that one word changed the way she prayed. Therefore, I want to model my prayers in the same manner. Instead of make it better, make it count! Here is my prayer for the new year.

Dear Lord,

Make this year count in all that I say and do. Whatever, trials may come my way make it count in some way to cause me to grow and/or point others to You. Your word tells me that You are not slow in keeping Your promises and that You are patient with people not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance. Use me, God in new ways to bring glory to Your name and show mercy to those around me. I desire to always be humble before You though I know that I am prone to seek approval of others. You, alone, are worthy to receive all glory and honor. 

I give You thanks and praise for all that I have been through in 2015 and I look forward to what You have in store for me in 2016.

Amen, come Lord Jesus!

May you, too, be encouraged to ask God to make your life count for Him.  

John 3:30 He must become greater; I must become less.