prayer Archives • Lens of Faith blog

ALREADY WRITTEN

September 6, 2017 · 2 Comments

Much of our lives is spent planning. What we will do, where and when we will go. Sometimes we pray about our plans and desires, hoping God will jump on board and make it all happen. I was that person most of my life as a strong, independent woman. I have loved Jesus since I was very young, yet I wanted control of my life. I convinced myself I wanted God’s will but really if he asked me to do something I did not want to do, my hearing became very faint.

Now living a life of true surrender, I am doing exactly what he has told me to do. It is uncomfortable, it looks foolish, not everyone cheers me on but I have more peace in my life then ever before. I have learned that when you begin to trust him in obedience, you then start to fulfill your purpose on this earth. You see our whole beginning to end has already been written in his book. We do not need to strive, make it happen or live a stressful “keeping up with the Jones’s” life. He really does have it all in control. No one knows us like him. No one will ever love us like him. No one will be as intimate as him. So trusting him should be a no brainer. One of my favorite chapters in the bible depicts this so beautifully.

O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up, my entire life, everything I do; You understand my thoughts from afar. You are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue, still unspoken, O Lord, You know it all. You have placed Your hand upon me. Such infinite knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is too high above me, I cannot reach it.

For You formed my innermost parts; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; I will give thanks and praise to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well. How precious also are Your thoughts of me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I could count them, they would outnumber the sand.

Your eyes have seen my unformed body; and in Your book were written all the days that were appointed for me, When as yet there was not one of them even taking shape.” – Psalm 139

You see, he has your life already planned and already written. Your story is unlike any other. We don’t need to compete or compare. We were meant to have a unique life and to let go of worry, fear and any other worldly care. For he cares for you unlike any ever will and he custom designed the perfect plan for your life. Trust an obey loved ones.

TAKE A MOMENT

August 2, 2017 · 2 Comments

Growing up a church girl, I’ve known all my life that Jesus died for my sins. Yet, the knowledge of that fact can become too common. The Sunday school stories too sweet. In reality, Jesus didn’t just die quickly for our sins. He was tortured, pierced, mocked, ridiculed by past followers and betrayed by close friends. Take a moment and let that sink in. Nothing makes this truth such a reality for me as the film, The Passion of the Christ. I can’t help but weep over and over, every time I watch it. Though 13 years since it was released, it still has such a powerful impact on so many and no other Jesus film compares, to this day. I still remember specific news stories of criminals turning themselves in after watching this film, cast and crew giving their lives to Christ during the making and many in theaters during the showing.

He was tortured, pierced, mocked, ridiculed by past followers and betrayed by close friends.”

Christianity and church has become much too casual. We’re focused on the hashtags, the coffee bar and we’ve lost the wonder and the holiness of God. He is the Holy of Holies. The Alpha and the Omega. The creator of the universe. And when we understand this reality of his suffering and his greatness, it beckons us to a greater place of intimacy with him.

He willingly suffered and died not only that we may be forgiven of sins but that we would live free from any sort of bondage. He paid much too high a price for us to walk through this life feeling defeated.

For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame.Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” –Hebrews 12

Let us thank him now:

“Lord, thank you for the unforgettable price you paid for me. Not only dying gruesomely for my sins but for your beautiful love that chases me every day. May I be constantly, humbly reminded of your sacrifice. For I know you died for me so that I would live for you. Amen.”

STAYING READY

June 7, 2017 · 1 Comment

God is so funny to me. He literally makes me laugh and he is so creative in how he sets up ministry in my life. He loves using bait. I’ve watched him over and over, use the ordinary for supernatural purposes. I think back to the time he used mascara to speak one of the most powerful words of destiny into my life. I think I’m going on vacation, work, out to dinner, shopping, working out, traveling for myself. But it’s like he’s smiling, telling me, “you think your here shopping but really your here for me.” “You think you’re here cause he wants to talk business but really you’re here to minister to him.” I can give you story after story of my “bait Jesus”. And every time I drive away, I’m in joyful amazement of how he shows up. He has a greater purpose in the mundane.

That’s the thing, when you surrender your life to him and you really desire to be used by him, then anything can happen and it will. Everything shifted when I really started partnering with God by praying for divine appointments and caring more about his kingdom then my own.

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” – Ephesians 5:15-17

Now there have also been those times that I know I’m going to minister, and am more prepared. I have a date to share my story or I’m going to a church event where I’ll be in an atmosphere, expecting God to move. But life is so much more exciting when he surprises me because I stay ready. Stay expectant. You don’t get ready, you stay ready. He starts to trust you with his business when you have a surrendered and humble heart, willing to be his mouthpiece.

Just the other day, I wasn’t in the mood to minister because I wanted to have a light-hearted time of doing nothing. I was asked by my friend to watch her three young children all under the age of five, because she was off to have her fourth baby. Her neighbor also came to help cook dinner. Unexpected to us, she didn’t have her baby right away. In fact, after we put the kids to bed, we had a few hours alone before they returned from the hospital. I just wanted to relax and watch a movie. I didn’t want to get deep and emotional. But as I was sitting there, I knew the holy spirit was prompting me to share and the purposeful night ended with us praying for each other. As she left, the holy spirit started speaking to me, saying, “Ministry is not on and off, you will aways minster. Stay ready.”

Ministry is work. It can be exhausting, hard dealing with offensive people, emotionally draining and tiresome but that’s why we must be filled up daily so we can be ready at all times to pour out. Without him, there is no me.

Everything shifted when I really started partnering with God by praying for divine appointments and caring more about his kingdom then my own.”

We are not on this earth to get married, have children, own a nice home, stay comfortable and die. He has called us to the uncomfortable, beautiful, extremely fulfilling life of living out our purpose. Are you ready?

Let us pray:

“Lord, please forgive us for our selfishness. For caring more about our own kingdoms then yours. I give you myself, use me as you wish. Give me daily divine appointments. Help me to stay ready and to boldly make you known. Be glorified in my life”

SWEET TALKING IDOLS

March 15, 2017 · Leave a Comment

Back in the biblical day, idols referred to large golden statues like a bull or calf or other gods like buddhas that people worshipped, instead of the one true God. That part of scripture doesn’t really apply to us now, right? In our modern day, it is easy for us believers to think,” I don’t have idols and there is nothing I worship besides Jesus.” We try and be good Christians, go to church most Sundays and well, do good.

The holy spirit spoke to me as I was reading about idols in Deuteronomy 5:8-10. He began to show me that idols might look different now but are just as destructive. Our sweet talking idols come across harmless. Our addictions to social media and television. Money, shopping, relationships and even our desires can very easily become idols in our life. It is important to recognize that idols can be “good” things that we’ve made “ultimate” things. What is an idol? Anything that consumes us. Anything we look to for greater fulfillment than God. Anything that takes the rightful place of God at the center of our lives.

You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth below. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God.” Deut. 5:8-10

So how can we recognize these idols, and get rid of them? Glad you asked! Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any idols of your heart, and be sensitive to the Spirit as you read His word. As the Spirit reveals things, acknowledge them before God (confession) and surrender everything to Jesus (repentance).

You and I must be aware that our idols today can rear their heads in various forms. Idols of the heart can also be pride, lust, dishonesty, doubt. Let us be sensitive and mindful, keeping our lives free and our hearts clean of those sweet talking idols.

There is nothing more important than knowing, loving, and seeking to glorify our Creator. This news should free you to know that your status in this world–does not matter. Your sole goal is to glorify God and to be obedient to Him; so if you’ve done that … then you can rest in the fact that you’ve accomplished your purpose for the day.

ALREADY WRITTEN

TAKE A MOMENT

STAYING READY

SWEET TALKING IDOLS

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