Category: Scripture

What is Good

pleadinginprayerLeave a comment

God has given us information about what is good. God has given commands – commands that He has the right to give. This verse gives a simple list. Act justly. Love faithfulness. Walk humbly with God.

I’ll admit it is not always simple to follow those things. Pride in self interrupts other serving humility. Faithfulness requires hard work. Living justice when that is not what is happening around us can become tiring. However, God promises to be with those who trust in His Son. He promises the grace we need to obey His commands.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for telling us what is good. Thank You for providing the help we need to obey Your commands. I ask for strength to act justly, love faithfulness and walk humbly with You.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Ask with Effort

pleadinginprayerLeave a comment

Today’s verse gives us 3 actions and 3 results. The actions are ask, seek and knock. Asking is fairly easy, but the word seek requires more effort. God doesn’t just give us good gifts. He asks us to work. The beauty of this passage is that God is willing to reward that work. The Bible doesn’t give us all the specifics of what God will do, but I believe we can see God’s hand if we watch.

So take time to ask, seek and knock. The results are from God. What could be better?

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the guidelines You have given in Your Word. Please help us to put the effort into asking, seeking and knocking. Thank you for providing the results for us.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Comforting

pleadinginprayerLeave a comment

I am so thankful for the comfort God provides through our trials. This doesn’t mean that we will always have warm fuzzies and happy emotions. However, God knows how to provide Bible verses, hugs from friends, and many other joys that bring comfort.

One reason for the comfort is to pass that along to others. We know from experience how precious it is to receive comfort. What could be better than give the same to others?

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the comfort you provide. Please give us the strength and joy to pass that comfort to others.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

I Give Up!

pleadinginprayerLeave a comment

Have you ever given up? I have. So many things can pile up and we don’t know what to do. The Bible reminds us that we have a reason to continue. “We will reap if we do not give up.”

I know life is tough, but God is big. He gives us what we need (2 Peter 1:3). We must keep going back to God to ask for help. Don’t forget – God is always there. He is ready and willing to help us continue doing good.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us the reminders of why we need to continue doing good. Thank You for being available and giving us help. Please help us to humble ourselves to ask for help often.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

God Loves First

pleadinginprayer1 Comment

I am so thankful for God’s love. I believe this is a huge concept that we cannot fully understand. However, reading God’s Word and seeking to live it helps move us towards a deeper knowledge of God’s love. In today’s verses, we see that God’s love should move us to love others. This can be challenging since flawed human beings can be hard to love. However, God gives us many verses to help us through the challenges.

As we spend time in the Bible and in prayer, we will gain the help we need to learn more about God’s love and sharing it with others.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us even though we don’t deserve it. Please help us to work towards a deeper knowledge of Your love and the best way to show love to others.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Look Up!

pleadinginprayerLeave a comment

We often get caught in looking around us at the difficulties we face. This is where we live. However, in order to do our best in the circumstances we face we need to look up. Our life’s purpose is to honor and glorify God. We are to “store up…treasure in heaven” according to Matthew 6:20. Colossians 2:3 reminds us that we are dead to ourselves and our life is all about Christ. While the concept of dying to ourselves is painful, looking up gives us a beautiful view.

Dear Heavenly Father, please help us to remember to look to you instead of focusing on our difficulties. Thank You for providing a wonderful view when we look up.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

God’s Will

pleadinginprayerLeave a comment

Many people worry about what the will of God is. We tend to think in terms of what job to take, whom to marry, what to do for vacation, etc. God gives us several specifics about His will, but not the way we tend to think. Today’s verses tell us the will of God. We are to “rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks”. These are not always easy to do. In fact, when life is tough they can be difficult. However, if it is the will of God, He will give us the strength to do these things.

Rejoicing can boost low spirits. Praying reminds us how much we need God. Giving thanks shows our appreciation for what God has and will do. All of these things will draw us closer to Christ as we follow God’s will.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for telling us what Your will is. Please give us the strength to rejoice, pray and give thanks no matter what our circumstances are. We know You are worthy of all these.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.