Category: Scripture

Faith or Sight

pleadinginprayerLeave a comment

In days gone by, lighthouses were a beacon of protection for ships to avoid rocky shorelines.  The light would shine bright so the ships could navigate away from treacherous terrain they could not see.

I am so thankful God provided the light of His word and the Holy Spirit to guide me.  I tend to prefer sight – to me it seems easier.  However, God does not promise to show us everything; He promises to guide us through anything He brings our way.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for lighthouses that are a picture of how You guide us through Your word.  Thank you for Biblical principles to show us what to avoid and how to live life.  Please help me to cling to who You are and what You want.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Faith Over Fear

pleadinginprayer2 Comments

We continue to see negative circumstances dramatized before our eyes in the news, on social media – seemingly everywhere we look.  I was struck by a statement from a minister from California.

“Fear always attracts the information needed to legitimize its existence.” 

Bill Johnson

Fear is a powerful emotion.  If we don’t keep fear in check, we will see through the cloudy lens of that emotion.  Too often we let biases and emotions take over and we don’t view our circumstances through the lens of the truth of Scripture.  In crazy times like ours, we need to cling to truth.  We need the grace and wisdom of God to guide us through the bombardment of information and opinions.

There are scary things going on.  However, God promises to take care of us.  We are more important than birds and flowers, but God takes care of all of us.  Matthew 6 reminds us of that. So, friend, don’t worry about tomorrow.  Allow God’s grace and wisdom to guide your thoughts and decisions each day.

Dear Heavenly Father, we struggle with fear.  Please shape our thoughts according to Your truth. Thank You for caring for even the birds and flowers as well as us.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Be Happy and Rejoice

pleadinginprayer1 Comment

When times are tough, it is easier to dwell on the negative.  God commands us to rejoice. While we don’t want to pretend nothing is wrong, we should easily be able to find a way to rejoice.  A friend of mine took this picture of a sunflower field.  I can easily smile when looking at something so bright and cheerful.  God made sunflowers happy. 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for providing ways to rejoice.  Thank You for beautiful flowers to brighten my day.  Thank You for friends who send me pictures to brighten my day.  Thank You for the many blessings You send my way.  I praise Your name and rejoice in who You are.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Praise and Glory

pleadinginprayerLeave a comment

While it seems easier to ask for things in our prayers, we need to remember to praise and thank God for what He does.  God allows us to see some of His work, but I am convinced that He doesn’t share everything He does.  None of us could handle all the work Almighty God performs – even in our own lives. 

God is in control.  He does wonderful things.

Praise and glory to God!

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for all You have done.  I know Your work is great and You are mighty.  Please help us to focus on Your work and what You will do in our lives.  Thank you for all You will do.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

More Thinking

pleadinginprayerLeave a comment

As we continue to navigate the challenges of 2020, I keep going back to what we think.  There are so many opinions and, of course, they are conflicting.  God has been teaching me to go to Him in prayer to make sure my thoughts are on the right course.  My thoughts need to be captive to Christ and His purposes. 

We live during troubled times.  The Bible promises that we will have trials (James 1).  The Bible also reminds us that knowledge puffs up (1 Corinthians 8:1).  We need to keep going back to God’s Word to give us direction.  We need to keep praying to humble ourselves before God in order to obey Christ.  That is the purpose for those of us who follow Christ. 

Dear Heavenly Father, we need to humble ourselves before You daily so we can obey Christ. Thank you for providing Your Word to give us guidance.  Please help me to follow what You have commanded and encourage others to do the same.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Thinking, Thinking, Thinking

pleadinginprayer2 Comments

In our day of many negative news stories, we need a reminder of what we should dwell on.  I’m not saying we should completely ignore the news.  We need to be informed, but dwelling on the ugliness in our world will drag us down.  Negativity can also push us to believe lies.  We need discernment to think correctly.

God provides a way to keep our minds on what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely and commendable.  His word gives guidance for every situation.  God did not give us details on how to handle every situation, but He gives the principles we need.

As we navigate the rough terrain of 2020, we need to seek God to keep our minds focused on what will bring peace. God’s peace.  Philippians 4 gives good advice.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for providing truth and the principles we need to seek the truth. Please help us to think on the correct things.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Freedom by Truth

pleadinginprayer1 Comment

Much has been posted on social media lately about freedom.  As usual opinions are strong and opposing.  How do we navigate these tricky situations?  I have found that truth is the best starting point.  We will often come to different conclusions after evaluating the same data.  Ultimately the truth is still the truth. God is still God; He is truth (John 14:6).  If we hope to come to the best conclusions, if we hope to move forward despite difficulties, we will need to cling to truth. 

Since God is truth and the Bible is His word, we should start there. Spending time reading and meditating on God’s Word gives us peace and a solid foundation to work through what is going on around us.  The right foundation gives us more freedom to maneuver difficult circumstances.  All of that starts with truth.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us truth.  Please help us to seek the truth and to cling to it.  Please help me to lovingly share the truth with those around me.  Your way is the only good way.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Sleep in Peace

pleadinginprayerLeave a comment

One of the biggest battles we have fought in the last 4 months is fear.  The fears are as diverse as the population.  Much of the fear is turning into anger.  Anger at anyone who disagrees or doesn’t seem to understand.  There are facts, misinformation, and opinions being shared at every turn.  Each of those sway our emotions again and again.

How do we survive times like this? How can anyone sleep at night?  King David wrote Psalm 4. He had experience in many difficult situations, frequently counseling himself to trust in God.  Psalm 4:8 shows how he could “lie down and sleep.”  He knows that God is in control.  God is the means of our safety.  I am all for making wise choices, but no matter how good the choice is we don’t have ultimate control over the results.  With all the disagreement lately, our choices have been somewhat limited. 

Friends, whether we believe it or not…whether we live it or not, God IS in control and will provide safety when we ask.

Dear Heavenly Father, we are facing so much fear. Please help us to turn to You instead of turning against each other. Please guide us in following You.  Thank you for the safety that You provide.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

A Sure Foundation

pleadinginprayerLeave a comment

As I read what the apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 3, I could easily think he is talking about today.  We have so much division in the church (and our society).  Difficult times often reveal underlying issues.  I wonder if we live as though Christ is our foundation.  Or do we try to add to the foundation Christ has laid with our own wood, hay, and stubble?

Friends, we would weather storms better if we remembered that Christ lays a perfect foundation.  If we tune ourselves to Christ, we will find His foundation to be much more stable than ours.  I hope this is what you want to do.  Times are tough.  We are all struggling with many different hardships.  We need to remind each other to cling to Christ.  He is the only way to walk through good times and bad. 

My hope with this blog is to encourage others as I walk (sometimes tripping) down the path God has set me on.  I need much of the encouragement that I share.  Sometimes I write about things my friends are going through.  We all need the help the Bible and prayer give.  I hope you will come along for the ride and share what God is teaching you as well.

Dear Heavenly Father, there is so much hurt, fear and anger in our world right now.  We have division every where we look.  Please help us to cling to Christ and show one another how much You love us.  Thank You that You have a plan and You are trustworthy. 

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Leading through Uncertainty

pleadinginprayerLeave a comment

There has been a lot of uncertainty over the last 4 months.  Things have changed so quickly and, in some cases, drastically.  People are reacting in fear on both sides of each viewpoint.  There has been bullying on both sides.  There are people who care on both sides.  Many times, in a crisis, true character (or lack thereof) is revealed.  I believe we are seeing a lot of that right now. 

One piece of misinformation that is being spread is the amount of control we really have in any situation.  The book of Proverbs reminds us that God is the one who “establishes our steps”.  We can make plans, but we need to seek God throughout the process of making those plans.

Dear Heavenly Father, please guide me as I make plans for my life.  Please help me to remember that I belong to You and my life is in Your hands.  Please strengthen me as I wait on Your timing.  Thank you for being so good to lovingly lead those who choose to follow You.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.