Verses from Mama

Hearing God speak one Bible verse at a time.

Making Decisions When You Hear Two Voices

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James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

Making Decisions

Dear Kids,

No one makes it through life without facing some life-shaping decisions. Even one who resolves not to take one road or another is making the decision to stay where they are. And this choice also affects their life. Some decisions are no-brainers. Others stretch the mind. But what happens when you have two options with possible outcomes that could be good or bad? How do you make sure you are choosing the right one?

Following Two Voices

Those who know me best recognize that I am directionally challenged. As I have often admitted I rely heavily on Google Maps to take me wherever I need to go. The other day I began to drive to a nearby place of business. Since I don’t go there often I, of course, asked SIRI to guide me. It wasn’t long before I realized she was guiding me to the wrong place. This place of business has two offices and she was leading me to the incorrect one. So I stopped the car, Googled the correct information, and entered the appropriate address.

Confidently, I started out again following her advice until something strange happened. My technological advisor told me to turn left, but when I did so she immediately started chirping, “Reroute, reroute!” This kept happening until the opposing commands had me completely confused. I pulled over to the side of the road again to figure out my dilemma, and that’s when I realized the problem.

When I had typed in the new address I hadn’t turned off the first navigation router. So, now two voices were telling me where to go. They were guiding me to different places with the same business name, but the addresses were in opposite directions. Only one of the locations had what I needed. That’s where I had to go.

Making Decisions Can Be Confusing

I find that life’s decisions are often like this. Where should I go to school? Who should I marry? Should I invest or shouldn’t I? The possibilities for good and bad can race around in our heads until our thoughts tangle into a ball of confusion. But the decisions must be made.

James tells us that those who lack wisdom should ask of God who gives generously. Now God does not always immediately make the answers plain and clear, but He does promise to guide us when we wholeheartedly seek Him. So we must pray and ask Him to show us the correct way.

Wisdom For Making Decisions

Next, we must seek God’s will through His word. We can eliminate some of our options by comparing them against the Bible. Is the issue a matter of sin? If so, the answer is obvious. God would not want us to make that choice.

Then, we can ask knowledgeable and wise counselors to give us advice and list the pros and cons of each possibility. After we have done all our homework, prayed for wisdom, and thoughtfully weighed all the options, we must make the decision and trust God for the outcome. He is completely able to close doors at any time and lead in a different direction. By going through this process we may still experience questions about whether we made the right choice, but we can have confidence that God will keep His word. He promises to give wisdom when we ask, and we must believe and not doubt.

So the next time you hear two voices in your head giving conflicting opinions about the direction you should take, don’t panic. Do what James suggests. Ask God for wisdom, do all your homework thoroughly, and then make the decision with confidence. God is faithful! And who knows to what exciting places He will take you!

Love,

Mama

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It’s Only a Game – Holding On To What Really Matters

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Philippians 2:16 “ . . . holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.”

What really matters? Opposing volleyball teams uniting in prayer for a fan with a medical emergency.

Opposing volleyball teams uniting in prayer for a fan with a medical emergency.

Dear Kids:

When it comes to sports in our family, I am on a different wavelength than everyone else. Since I never played team sports when I was young (that was not a thing for girls in the town and the culture I grew up in) I have never been able to understand completely the all out, life consuming commitment to the game. So it has become a joke in our family when the competition gets stiff to repeat my favorite saying, “It’s only a game . . . just like UNO”.

My sport is not like a card game!

I have taken a lot of ribbing for this statement over the years. “Mom, you don’t understand! (eye roll) My sport is not anything like a card game!” But while I have made my comment with tongue in cheek, there is a grain of truth to the saying. And it was played out in living color last week.

Our high school volleyball team traveled to another league school where they engaged in a discouraging match. For various reasons the team has struggled this season, and even with a lot of good effort they were lagging behind this opponent’s group of accomplished girls. The coaches and parents were frustrated as the disheartened players tried to focus and get back on track. Suddenly there was a disruption at the far end of the court.

The other school’s athletic director was watching from the corner when, without warning, he collapsed breaking two teeth and wounding his head. As he lay motionless on the court, nurses and medical personnel rushed from the stands to help. The rest of the players, coaches, and fans sat in suspended silence watching and waiting for any news on his condition. Finally, a local parent gathered both teams into a circle on the court and led the group in prayer for their administrator. Twenty minutes later the ambulance arrived and transported the man to a nearby hospital.

The game resumed and concluded quickly, but there was a new outlook on the results. Tears were not about who won or lost. There was more at stake then being a winner or loser in the game of volleyball. Someone’s life was hanging in the balance.

Hold Tightly to What Really Matters

I firmly believe we must give our best effort to whatever God sets before us, whether that be our job, our homework, or our sport. But we must always keep in mind what is most important. The Apostle Paul understood that his life, glory, and worth did not depend on what kind of grades he received in school, how much money he made in his career, or his stats on a high school volleyball team. He recognized that the purpose of life and his true worth was in Christ alone. Christ was working in him to will and to work for His good pleasure and he counted everything as loss in order to know Christ more fully. Paul determined to hold tightly to the Word of Life. This would assure he would have reason to glory and he wouldn’t run or toil in vain.

Kids, there will be many disappointments in this life. But these don’t determine your worth or your status with God. Give your best effort to all that you set your hand to do in order to bring Him glory. But keep in mind that life is short and everything on this earth will soon pass away. Instead hold on tightly with all out, life-consuming commitment to what really matters – the words of life, knowing Christ, living above reproach, and shining your light for all to see.

Then when you have a discouraging sports season, you won’t take it too hard. Your perspective will be changed and you will finally agree with what I’ve always said, “It’s only a game . . . just like UNO!”

Love,

Mama

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The Foolishness of Answering Your Own Prayers

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Ezra 8:22 “For I was ashamed to request from the king troops and horsemen to protect us from the enemy on the way, because we had said to the king, “The hand of our God is favorably disposed to all those who seek Him, but His power and His anger are against all those who forsake Him.”

Dear Kids:

Do you ever try to answer your own prayers?

I hate to admit that sometimes I do. I will have a heavy burden on my heart and will set aside a time to talk to God about it. The tears flow as I express my utter helplessness in a difficult situation. I thank God for His faithfulness and communicate how I am trusting Him to come through. I rise from my knees feeling like a heavy burden has been lifted. And then . . . I begin . . . to try and answer my own prayers.

I am naturally a problem solver. My brain is constantly thinking about how to be more efficient or how to fix things that are wrong. So immediately after praying I often rehash my difficult circumstances over and over trying to find a solution to the equation. Not only does this bring my anxiety level up again, but it is dishonoring to the Lord.

Ezra Trusts God to Answer his Prayers

Ezra understood this natural tendency to want to answer his own prayers. This scribe and priest was leading a large group of Israelites on a journey back to their national city of Jerusalem. They had been living in a foreign country for many years, and God had opened an opportunity for them to go home. All the pieces had been falling in place. But as they prepared for the 900-mile trip, Ezra starting thinking about all it would entail. There were whole families making the journey and lots of possessions that needed to be transported. With women and children on board they were likely to be sitting ducks for all sorts of thieves and enemies. How would he keep everyone safe and healthy?

There was the possibility of asking the king of Persia for protection. After all, Artaxerxes had offered to supply anything necessary for the trip. But this solution didn’t sit right with Ezra. He had confidently said to the king, “The hand of our God is favorably disposed to all those who seek Him, but His power and His anger are against all those who forsake Him.” By asking Artaxerxes to send soldiers to protect the travelers, Ezra would be answering his own prayer for protection instead of letting God provide the better answer.

God’s Faithfulness in Answering Prayers

So, instead, this wise leader of Israel proclaimed a fast so that the travelers could humble themselves before God. They asked Him to provide protection for the families, the children, and the possessions. And guess what –  God came through.

Ezra divided up the valuable furnishings for the temple among the returning priests and charged them with guarding the items carefully. Then they set out along the road. God’s hand of protection was upon them leading and guarding them from all the dangers lurking in the shadows. Many days later the entire caravan arrived safely in Jerusalem. Sacrifices of thanksgiving burned on the altar as the people blessed the Lord for His provision. The nation learned a lesson in faith, and the Lord was honored.

What about us? We are foolish when we make requests of our heavenly Father and then try to answer our own prayers. I know because my solutions never produce the fixes I hope for. The anguish of uncertainty leaves me drained. The outcomes are never very good. And my testimony of faith in God’s power and goodness is blemished.

The alternative is clearly to respond the way Ezra did. Humble ourselves, ask for God’s help and then trust Him do the hard part!

Love,

Mama

Prayer – The Preparation For God’s Presence

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1 Chronicles 7:1 “Now when Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices and the glory of the Lord filled the house.”

God’s Presence Experienced Through Prayer

Solomon's Prayer of Dedication

Picture from Kenneth Anderson’s “The Bible in Pictures For Little Eyes”

God’s presence is with His children at all times. But sometimes He makes His presence known in glorious ways. More often than not this show of His glory and power follows some preparation. Today, as always, this preparation is usually prayer!

Friday our family spent a pleasant evening attending a number of enjoyable events. For dinner we gathered with the agricultural community of our area at Cedarville University’s  “Farmer’s Night.” After a delicious dinner we attended a bluegrass concert presented by Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers. What a joy! Our stomachs, ears, and hearts rejoiced with all the evening held.

Attending an event like this one feels so effortless. You show up! You enjoy! You leave full!

But countless preparation filled the weeks, days, and hours before the event.  A large crew of people (including our own Aunt Julie) drafted checklists, made calls, chose menus, prepared food, gathered decorations, practiced music, and completed numerous other jobs before we could enjoy the evening. The night’s successes were a direct result of the intensive preparation for it.

King David’s Preparation For the Temple

David, the king of Israel, deeply desired that his nation experience God’s presence. For years Israel had been away from God under the leadership of King Saul, and David wanted this terrible mistake rectified. He had brought the Ark of the Covenant, God’s special dwelling place since the time of Moses, back into the center of his kingdom. Now He wanted to do more. He desperately desired to build a beautiful house in which to worship the Almighty God.

God understood David’s heart but instructed that the king would not be the one to build the temple. Solomon, David’s son, would have this privilege. David, though disappointed, determined to make all the preparations he could to see this project through. He recognized that Solomon was young and inexperienced, not only in construction projects, but also in his relationship with the Lord. So he spent the remaining years of his life gathering the supplies, and training his son to complete the task.

1 Chronicles 22:5 “’My son Solomon is young and inexperienced and the house that is to be built for the Lord shall be exceedingly magnificent, famous and glorious throughout all lands. Therefore now I will make preparation for it.’ So David made ample preparations before his death.”

Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication

Many years later the fabulous temple was finished. Solomon dedicated the magnificent building to God with a beautiful prayer of praise, thanksgiving, and commitment. When Solomon finished praying, a great fire came down from the heavens and consumed all of the sacrifices that had been made that day. God’s glory filled the house so powerfully that even the priests could not enter. Everyone bowed to the ground and worshipped their good and loving God.

Did God randomly decide to show up on this memorable day? I would suggest not! Preparation for this mighty show of His presence and power began years before as King David poured out his heart in prayerful desire, gave of his resources to supply the materials, shared his wisdom, and displayed his example of dedication to the one true God. Solomon took up the torch, built the temple, and dedicated it with all the people present. God honored this and showed up mightily!

Experiencing God’s Presence Today

Do you want to experience God’s presence in your life and in the lives of those around you? Then you must do some preparation. Farmer’s Night didn’t happen without preparation! The temple wasn’t built without preparation! And God’s presence wasn’t experienced without preparation!

Seek God passionately through prayer. Obey His every command. And wait patiently. He will show up and every fiber of your being will rejoice! Just wait and see!!

Love,

Mama

Small Answers, Big Faith

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1 Chronicles 29:10b-11 “Blessed are You, O Lord God of Israel our father, forever and ever. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O Lord, and You exalt Yourself as head over all.”

Photo by Mark Jefferson Paraan on Unsplash

Faith is the key that unlocks the answers to our prayers. We must be so acquainted with the God of the universe that we genuinely believe who He is, understand His heart, and are confident that He rewards those who genuinely seek Him. When we desire to expand the boundaries of our faith in God, He often uses small answers to prayer to move us forward.

Saturday evening found me on the way to the grocery store. It was a stormy night but there were a few things I needed to purchase that couldn’t wait. The weather held until I arrived at the store, but while walking the aisles the torrent let loose. Thunder reverberated through the walls and a driving rain pelted the roof like machine gun fire. I waited in line with my loaded cart wondering how I was going to unload everything into the truck and make it home in a timely manner. The weather app didn’t offer much hope that the storm would clear away soon, but my feet were aching. I just wanted to go home and sit in front of the fire.

Earlier that morning I had read the beginning of King David’s prayer in 1 Chronicles. The descriptions of our great God had intrigued me. “Yours, O Lord is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth . . .” It came to me – as I stood dreading the next moments of running through the storm with a loaded cart while everything in the heavens rained down on my world – that my God even had power over the forces of nature.

“Lord,” I prayed, “I know that getting soaking wet is not a major disaster, but my feet hurt and I just want to go home. Please stop the rain – just until I load the packages and help me get home as quickly as possible!”

I paid for my things and went to the door. The rain continued to pour and I prepared myself with some excuse why God hadn’t seen fit to answer this pitiful request. As I got ready to run, a young man wearing a yellow rain poncho approached me and asked if he could watch my cart while I brought my car around. I thankfully took him up on the offer, darted to the truck and brought it under the protection of the store’s awning where the young man even helped me load. I gratefully thanked him, told him he was an answer to prayer (really!) and headed home.

I pondered the events at the store and became even bolder. “Lord, thank you for your answer, even better than I had hoped, but we don’t have a garage and I still have to get the items into the house. No one is home and I won’t have anyone to help me there. You know I have been trying to grow in faith, to believe that I will receive when I ask, so won’t you please stop the rain when I get home?”

The driving rain continued to batter the windshield and the wipers faithfully swept back and forth clearing my view of the road. Each time I wondered how to get my many packages down the long sidewalk and into the house I pushed the thoughts aside. I had asked the Lord to stop the rain and I was going to believe that He would. After all He had provided for me at the store, so surely He would finish the job.

The rain continued to push me along our road, but when I made the turn into our lane it suddenly stopped. I pulled into our puddling parking spot and carried all the bags along the sidewalk and into the kitchen. I was dry. The bags were dry. And I was home.

Getting home through a storm. Carrying groceries into the house. Why did God answer these insignificant prayers? I believe it is because He cares and even more than keeping me dry He wanted to expand the boundaries of my faith for the even bigger requests for which I am praying. Faith is the key that unlocks the answers to our prayers – and even that faith comes from Him! Sometimes our God answers the smallest of prayers in surprising ways in order to help us trust Him even more!

Love,

Mama

Ask, Seek, Knock – Persevering in Prayer

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Matthew 7:7-8 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”

Over and over again God tells us through the Bible that He hears and answers our prayers. Why then do we often give up so easily when there is something our heart desires? Maybe God wants to see how much we really want the request. Maybe the delay in the answers is to teach us the art of perseverance. Whatever the case God instructs us to pray without ceasing. Ask, seek and knock continually. This is the way to have our prayers answered.

It has been a few weeks since we got our puppy, Apache. She is such a sweet little girl but there are the typical puppy nuisances that we have to deal with. Potty training has been exhausting and the chewing on anything and everything has caused us all to be very persistent in teaching her what we expect. We are determined not to give up because we are sure she can learn and because we don’t want to end up with huge problems. Why can we stay so on task with our puppy training and yet give up so easily when it comes to prayer?

The great preacher Charles Haddon Spurgeon once preached a sermon to his congregation where he challenged them with these words, “When you know what you need, your soul must become so possessed with the value of that device – with your own excessive need for it, with the danger which you will be in unless that device should not be granted – that you will be compelled to plead for it as a man pleads for his life! … We must have such a desire for the thing we need, that we will not rise until we have it – but in submission to His divine will, nevertheless. Feeling that the thing we ask for cannot be wrong, and He, Himself, has promised it, we have resolved it must be given, and if not given, we will plead the promise again and again, till heaven’s gates shall shake before our pleas shall cease!”

When we understand God’s heart for us and believe His promises to answer our cries we should continue on day after day seeking what we long for. Are you discouraged because you have prayed for something for many years without any viable answers? Don’t give up. Persistently lay your specific requests out before Him and believe that as you seek Him He will give you the desires of your heart. Nothing is too hard for Him and He delights to show us great and mighty things that are beyond our imagination.

Keep asking! Keep seeking! Keep knocking! Persevere in your prayers and take heart! God promises to answer and He always keep His word!

Love,

Mama

You Just Don’t Understand Me!

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Hebrews 4:15-16 “For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

“You just don’t understand me!!”

I have often expressed this frustration throughout my life. All human beings are made with different temperaments, different likes and dislikes, different ways of handling situations, and different feelings about matters. This is compounded by differing life experiences and influences. All these mold us and determine our responses, making it rare to find someone who can look within our heart and fully understand our needs and struggles.

When Dad and I were first married we quickly saw differences in our personalities. While we were more than willing to accept these differences, it has taken years to understand each other. Over time, Dad, who is energized by crowds and activities, recognized that I often craved quiet moments at home to recharge for the next big social encounter. Likewise I have learned that Dad is motivated and recharged by meeting and greeting in social situations. We have come to appreciate these character traits in each other, but we will not ever fully understand them in an experiential way because we are so different.

But I am glad to say that there is Someone who understands each of us perfectly. Not only because He is our Creator, but because He came down to our level and became one of us. Jesus, the Son of God, took on a human body and chose to live on earth experiencing all that we do as humans. He was tempted just as we are, though without sin. He suffered hardship, endured pain, experienced rejection and more. He lived life as we do, and yet He also sees into our hearts and understands our inner workings.

“You don’t understand me!” does not apply when it comes to Jesus. He formed our bodies in the womb, designated our personality traits, walks with us through every circumstance of life, and on top of that He has personally experienced the joys and trials that we encounter every day.

All of this and more is why He alone can offer the understanding and help that we need. He became the perfect source of salvation for everyone who obeys Him, and because of His life we are able to approach God confidently and receive the grace and mercy we need so desperately.

Good friends and family are gifts of God. Yet no matter how loving they are there will always be times when we are forced to say, “You just don’t understand me!” But this is not so with our Savior.

He knows and understands the deepest places of our hearts and bids us to draw near His throne of grace confidently. Speak freely because you will not be misunderstood. And there you will find all the forgiveness, mercy, and help you need.

Love,

Mama

 

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Lord, Do You Hear Me Now?

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Daniel 10:12 “Then he said to me, ‘Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words.’”

Photo by Catherine Meekins

“Do you hear me now?”

These familiar words from a cell phone commercial became a reality to our family this past week. While visiting the state of New York for John-Keith and Naomi’s wedding, we found that in most spots we did not have good cell reception. It is a good discipline to wean oneself of smart phone and computer use once in a while, but there are times when reaching someone immediately is very important.

Sometimes when trying to find where you are going you need directions. GPS systems and quick calls to a knowledgeable friend or family member have almost completely replaced maps. This is well and good until you lose your connection. While driving, Emily, tried to call us for help. Numerous times, the static and garbled voices caused us to move and shout the infamous words, “Do you hear me now?” And numerous times we were distressed by the message “Call failed.”

Other times there is an emergency that needs immediate attention. When one of the groomsmen (whom I will not mention – you can thank me later, Luke) realizes hours before the wedding that he forgot to bring the right pants, it is crucial that one quickly connect with a store to try to remedy the situation. The last thing you want to hear while the clock is ticking down the minutes is the clerk at JC Penney shouting, “Do you hear me now?”

All of these reasons are why I am glad we can call on our heavenly Father any minute of the day and night. Yet often as we pour out our hearts to Him it seems as if we are not connecting. How many times I have desperately called from my knees, “Lord, do You hear me now?” 

The prophet Daniel had a similar experience. He had a terrifying vision about a great conflict, which caused him to mourn for three entire weeks. During that time he did not eat any tasty food or perform his usual personal cleansing rituals. He exhausted himself calling on God for help, but it seemed as if God did not hear.

Then an angel came to him and comforted him saying, “Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words.”

The angel went on to explain that God had heard Daniel’s petition the moment he prayed and sent him to help, but he had been delayed by a great enemy. God did not have a bad connection or lose control of the situation, but there were things that needed attended to first. Even while He seemed silent, He was working on Daniel’s behalf.

I am glad to say that Emily made it to the wedding safely, and JC Penneys had one pair of pants left in Luke’s size, which we purchased with only minutes to spare. Despite our problems with cell reception, things worked out for the best.

But there are still even bigger things I am praying for that have not been answered yet. Unlike when in parts of New York State, I know I do not have to shout, “Lord, do you hear me now?” or worry about receiving the message, “Call failed.” God heard Daniel’s prayers the moment he uttered them, and we can be sure He hears ours, too. Be patient as you wait for answers. They are on the way and God is working on your behalf.

Love,
Mama

Do You Have Prayer Neck?

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Colossians 4:2 “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving . . .”

Throughout the years people have developed different types of maladies. Take writer’s cramp for example. Thousands of years ago this was not a problem as our forerunners preserved history orally and the average person did not know how to write. Since then we have suffered from a plethora of discomforts like tennis elbow, trigger finger, and carpal tunnel syndrome, which have all developed as a result of new activities. Even recently I heard of an even newer problem: text neck is neck pain and damage stemming from looking down at modern devices for too long. This is the way of our world now and we are suffering for it.

As I considered this new type of struggle, a thought occurred to me – I wonder how many of us have over time developed prayer neck. We seem to have no problem cramping ourselves into a fixed position for hours on end to communicate with our friends and family, but how many have spent that much time bowing our head in prayer?

The writer of Colossians, along with a number of other Bible writers, continually reminds us to devote ourselves to prayer. This discipline is the way we communicate with God. It is also the way to receive alerts to all that is going on around us. As we speak to God in prayer and read His words in the Bible, He reveals Himself to us and shows us how we should live. He encourages us and makes us aware of the errors of our ways. He is ready to respond at any moment of the day or night and is available for all we need. So why don’t we do this more?

Of course, there are other postures for praying than folding our hands and bowing our heads. Jesus, when He prayed in John 17, lifted His eyes towards heaven. The prophet Daniel knelt on his knees at an open window facing Jerusalem three times a day. Moses lifted up his hands toward heaven in prayer. Others fell face down on the ground, and still others called out a few brief words for help in the midst of a trial. But these all regularly did what they needed to do – keep in contact with their God through prayer.

What about us? If you are like me, I can guarantee you might be a candidate for text neck with your device ready at all times to message or respond to your people at a moment’s notice. But have you ever been at risk for developing prayer neck? Let us each work hard to be more diligent to exercise our spirits – as well as our bodies – in prayer as we seek to know God more fully and serve Him more completely.

Love,

Mama

BIG WORLD, BIGGER GOD

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1 Timothy 1:17, “Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”

img_3346The world is a big place! It is made up of many nations and peoples with numerous languages, customs, and physical characteristics. Most of the time we get caught up in our own little personal world and we forget about the bigness of God’s creation. But when you take the time to think about it, the fact is overwhelming!

Recently, I was thinking about prayer. God wants us to pray all kinds of requests for all kinds of people. This is a good and acceptable practice to Him. Though there are millions throughout the world who have not heard the name of Jesus Christ and many more who have heard and rejected Him, there will come a day when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. The nations will be His inheritance and the very ends of the earth His possession as He comes to reign in His heavenly Kingdom. We should ask for this to happen.

I am good at praying for the things that are within my little sphere of life. But I knew I needed to expand my reach. Through listening to a sermon online I was introduced to a book that helps guide personal prayers for the whole world. So I searched Amazon, found the book along with a world map, and immediately ordered them. Within days Operation World by Jason Mandryk and InterVarsity Press came to my mailbox.

Fascinated by all the information within the pages, I excitedly began my quest to pray for the world. I turned to the appropriate page organized by date and began to read the needs and requests for that day’s country. Within minutes panic gripped my heart. This was too much!!! How could I possibly make a difference in such a large expanse amongst millions of lost people with so many great needs?

As I choked back my overwhelmed feelings, I suddenly remembered Paul’s glorious statement in 1 Timothy 1:17, “Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”

I realized that though the world was HUGE to me and I had not even heard of some of the nations that fill it, nothing was too big for God. He knows each of the nations – He created them! Not only that, but He knows all the people who live in these nations by name. He knows their needs, their feelings, their struggles, and even how many hairs they have on their head. There is nothing I can pray that He doesn’t already know, but He gives me the opportunity to participate in the building of His kingdom through prayer.

I breathed a sigh of relief and my heart filled with praise. This really is a big world! But we have an even bigger God!

I bowed my head to continue my prayers and I thought I heard the Lord chuckling as He said, “Girl, I’m glad your view of me has expanded, but you haven’t seen anything yet!”

Love,
Mama