As Christians we hope that God would call on us and give us a task or a mission to complete. I have learned lately that most of the time these “missions” show up at impromptu dinner meetings, in check out lines, and grocery stores (when you aren’t wearing makeup.) These “missions” aren’t earth shattering or groundbreaking by any means, however they are just as important a the big moments and big events in life.
I find myself asking God to “use” me. Though when I pray this prayer I don’t really know what I am saying. Honestly, God uses each one of us, every single day to do or say something to
someone. We have the opportunity each day to be great and do great –
But do we?
Just being open to an opportunity or a conversation can turn a life around. Jesus did it. Why can’t we? Afterall, aren’t we the body of Christ?
I talk to a lot of people that grew up in a church atmosphere, and for some reason most of these people still don’t understand how to pray. I have heard people tell me that “I feel like I’m doing it wrong” or “I don’t think I understand prayer”. Guys, listen up!
PRAYER IS NOT A METHODICAL RELIGIOUS MOTION YOU TAKE!
Prayer is simple. It is coming to God from a sincere heart, and ‘talking’. In John 15:15 Jesus said “I call you friends”. Think for a moment about your friends. Now think about a specific friend, or mentor that you greatly admire and respect. How do you talk to them? You can start with that idea, then imagine God: A holy, beautiful, sinless, perfect “person”. It is hard to understand with human understanding, however my case stands that you can talk to God like he is sitting in the chair next to you (with upmost respect of course).
For instance, when I get up in the morning, I say a short small breath prayer. What is that? Well, it goes like this: God, lead me guide me and direct me today. Let me be a light unto a dark world, Amen.
However, I generally worship “talk to” God all throughout the day. When I am getting ready for work, I talk to God about my concerns for the day. When I am driving to work, I pray he protects me as I travel, and put me where he wants me. When I am at work, I thank him for the blessings that happen immediately as they occur. I give thanks in EVERYTHING. 1 Thes 5:18 says give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. If I hear a praise song that makes me remember what God did for me, I praise him and thank him and glorify him in my still, quiet places. This song always gets me going :
When I think about the Lord http://youtu.be/QsEGRB695hs
Children are often times the BEST prayers. Why? Because they pray because they want to, not because they feel they have to.
Prayer is basic. Prayer is heartfelt. Prayer is the sincere wanting and needing to be closer to God, not just about asking God to grant your wishes like a genie. God is not going to give you everything you ask, and it doesn’t mean you have to blame him when you don’t get what you thought you wanted. It could be that there is something better coming down the pipes for you. Prayer is giving your heart to God, and asking him to search it, and reveal what belongs there and what doesn’t. Prayer is humbly presenting yourself for searching. Psalm 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Prayer is that simple. A little advice, prepare yourself before you come to God. I used to pray this BEFORE I prayed – “God, shut down my thoughts and restless body, let me forget this world for a few uninterrupted moments with you. I want to come to you today, please reveal yourself to me Lord.”
There is no right or wrong way to pray. Prayer is between YOU and GOD. If you pray, and feel God – then he heard you. If you are unsure, maybe you can visit with someone who can help guide you. Sometimes “being unsure” is just a matter of the heart. Sometimes you just feel too full of sin or guilt to feel like you are “worthy” of God to listen or talk back. If that is you, LET IT GO. God will take your burden if you just ask. Matthew 11:28 says “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
IF GOD SAID IT – HE MEANT IT.
I will leave you with this: Rev 3:20 Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.
If you still aren’t sure that you are being heard, or you feel you don’t understand prayer – Here is something you can start praying for and it may change your life.
Amen
At some point, you guys are going to start thinking I’m making these stories up. However I warn you before I go any further – these are real. Tonight another really amazing thing happened to me and I can’t wait to share it!
Yesterday I had an hour to kill in between appointments so I decided to take a stroll in a department store browsing. I had been looking for a wedding dress for months, and not just any dress would do. LET ME TAKE A MINUTE TO EXPLAIN WHY
Remember I mentioned the visions I had been seeing? One of which was my wedding. My soon-to-be had seen the exact same vision, however where I only saw him, he only saw me. He explained the dress he saw to a very specific detail, he drew that dress on a napkin for me a couple months ago, and I have been obsessed with finding it every since. I knew it existed somewhere because God showed it to him, and it was burned so vividly in his mind.
I had searched so hard for this dress! So many ways in google and bing that my head was exploding. I had searched catalogs, bridal magazines, local shops, and I was at a dead end. UNTIL……
I snapped a picture of a dress I saw at this department store and picture messaged him on his cell phone. I continued looking, because I didn’t think it was quite the right dress. He got back to me 30 minutes later and said “thats it” in caps. After I got the text message my phone blew up with phone calls from him. Well… I had already left the store. Matter of fact, I was 10 mintutes away so I popped a U-turn in the street and went back to get that dress (which they only had one of by the way.)
I pulled in, ran into the store like a mad-woman and went to the spot I found it. GONE! I panicked. I walked every isle thinking someone put it down somewhere else (after all it had only been 30 mins!) I even went so far as to see if anyone else was holding my dress – and I had decided I was going to buy them out to have that dress! I peeled every dress one-by-one until I was sure that it was gone. I asked every person on the floor about that dress and insisted they check in the stockroom, because I wasn’t leaving without that dress! Unfortunately, the dress was, in fact, gone – with no others to replace it.
I WAS DISHEARTENED. I made the phone call, and told him..
That night he got home from work and insisted we go back to the store. I insisted that I didn’t want to go back because I knew it wasn’t there- nor was there anymore coming. He was adament. So I digressed and went along preparing for yet another disappointment.
We got to the parking lot, and he prayed. In his prayer he said “Let us find the right dress, the one you showed me, and put it in my hand Lord, Amen”. I looked over at him, and smirked. We walked in. We went to the dresses.
BAM! There was that dress. Not just one, but four of them in each size.
I had an Oh my God! moment just then. My eyes were the size of golf balls when I said “those dresses were NOT there, I checked!”
I grabbed the dresses, rushed to the fitting room, and tried it on. I found one that fit, walked out, and I knew. His face said it all. After 10 minutes he uttered “That’s it!”
So I believe that dress was meant to be. He saw it, God provided it. If I had found it earlier in the day, it wouldn’t have been this great testimony to what God can do with a little faith and prayer. I now own the wedding dress that my hubby saw in his vision months back. How amazing is that story?! It is almost too surreal to believe. However, if God is for us who can stand against us?
Cherish
What difference did you make in someone’s life today?
So many Christians believe that they have to do something groundbreaking, enormous, and vastly substantial to make a difference. This couldn’t be further from the truth. God uses each of us together to make the big things happen. Have you ever watched a group tug of war competition? Picture watching the two teams battle, but only half of the first teams group is doing the work. Guess who won? It’s easy to see that every little bit that is done helps. Do not discount your “little bit”.
I remember when I was a child, I was working outside with my dad. We were digging a ditch to put in a swimming pool. Gosh, I remember that hole having to be extremely deep and wide, and no matter how much dirt I shoveled, it never seemed to get any deeper. When I was looking drained and exhausted from ditch digging, I remember dad looking at me and saying “every little bit you do, is a little less that I have to do”. I guess my “little bit” meant a little more to him than it did to me.
Another story I am reminded of as I write this. I was given 3 large print bibles by a friend of mine. (their “little bit”). I kept them in my car, just in case the opportunity to minister to someone might arise. One afternoon I was sitting at a Wendy’s eating lunch. I saw an elderly woman with a palm sized bible and what seemed like bottle cap glasses, trying to examine that book in front of her. At first, I laughed at its hilarity, but then I was immediately reprimanded and reminded that I had the solution to her problem not 5 feet away. I put down my hamburger, walked to my car, and pulled out a large print bible I had been saving. I walked in, handed it to her, and said” I think this is yours.” (“my little bit”) She was elated. She smiled, had me put my name and her name in that bible together, and said she would put it on her bedside table and read it every night.
See how small that was? It was a “little bit” of effort, a “little bit” of caring, and a “little bit” of compassion.
Are you ready to start sharing your little bit?
I want to hear your stories like this.
Cherish
Did you know that you have wings? They may be invisible on this Earth, but friend I tell you that as soon as these chains are bound to Earth- we are going to fly!
Isaiah 40:31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
I’ll Fly Away (Jars Of Clay with Lyrics)
My question to you is: What are you doing to show you have wings? So many christians are so bound by————————>
Guilt. 
Unworthiness. 
Shame. 
Addictions. 
Afflictions. 
Pain. 
Sorrow.
…That they never experience the fullness of their wingspan! Matter of fact – they often live life on Earth like a caged bird with their wings clipped. Have you ever watched a bird that has been caged for a long time? They may have their ability to fly, and may aspire to..but they have been in their cage for so long that they FORGET that they actually CAN fly. I have seen rehabilitated birds come out of cages that they have been bound to for years-in cramped quarters- come out and walk….never attempting flight.
Though they can fly, they won’t fly.
Are you living your today like your wings have been clipped? Like that cage is fencing you in? Don’t you know that once you truly turn your life over to Jesus, you can fly!!?? You will fly! And if you by chance fall, you have a soft place to land. Personally, I just learned how to fly. I just learned how to use my gifts. I just learned that no matter how mediocre you think you might be on this Earth, God will use whatever you have and multiply it exponentially. Keep your sights on the Kingdom, and the glory of God, and fly….By all means…… FLY!
God Bless,
Cherish
Anyone else out there an incessant check-list checker off-er? You know what I mean.. We make a list and can’t wait to check that task off as done. It gives us a sense of pride and purpose once we see how todays list is checked off and tomorrows is halfway done already. Anyone else? C’mon…..admit it!
How about the new thing now-a-days where churches give out sermon notes with that bullet list of the songs they will sing, the message of the day, guest speakers- Et cetera… Dang those things, I have to check those off too to make sure everyone is in line with the pamphlet. It’s a problem, I know, its my crazy- I will deal with it. Good or bad, it’s who I am, and some others will brave forward and say “omg, me too!” (or not… )
EERRKKK…
MOVING ON TO WHY I AM BLOGGING THIS…….
Can you imagine God’s checklist?! I can’t even fathom his to do list. I do however know that I am on that list – luckily I’m not checked off yet. I do sit and ponder all my family members in heaven that have been God’s finished project and checked off to go home. I was thinking how they got called to heaven once they are completed by God. A project that was beautifully created, and wonderfully made, and the beauty God must see in the incomplete works he has. Could a checkbox that’s not complete be a beautiful thing??
Knowing that we are the miry clay and he is the potter that cannot wait to shape that ‘mess-o’-mud’ into a beautiful piece of art with our fathers name engraved on it. How nice is it when you complete a project and you can’t wait to sign your name to it?Something that you can be proud of and have pride in…
God has a few of my family members in heaven that have been checked off. A work in progress, that finally completed the task, the growth, the mission if you will. I can only imagine how one checkmark can lead to several other ‘to do’ tasks for God. Go with me here for a moment. If it werent for my grandparents checkmark – my parents wouldn’t be to-do’s. And if it weren’t for my parents – I wouldnt be a to-do..and so on down the line….IMAGINE..
Philippians 1:6
New International Version (NIV)
God isn’t finished with me yet.
Cherish
Psalm 139:14
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Isaiah 40:31
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Matthew 17:20
He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
Romans 8:31
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
2 Kings 6:16
“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
Exodus 14:13
MOSES ANSWERED THE PEOPLE, “DO NOT BE AFRAID, STAND FIRM AND YOU WILL SEE THE DELIVERANCE THE LORD WILL BRING YOU TODAY. THE EGYPTIONS The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.
I am so fed up with these celebrities and scientists. They think they have the whole world figured out, and assuredly they do not. What the heck is all this scientology bull crap? I mean, really?! Scientology sounds a lot like yoga to me. You medititate (empty thinking, not focusing on God) and expect your power to be unlocked like some game code. Seriously? Too much Matrix watching I presume.
L. Ron Hubbard, I would hate to be you one second after death, when the truth will be revealed to you. I have gotten to the point that I wont even support those celebrities anymore by watching their films or such. Why line satan’s army pockets with my hard earned cash? I would much rather see my money end up somewhere useful. These scientists, that have decided that their brains are just going to get them everywhere. That one zen-ful day their brains will just short circuit and they will fall to the earth forever as nothingness. Bull flippin’ crap!
How can people that are so smart and intellectual be so stupid? Hey there scientist, that little voice in your head that you call a conscience…uh, where do you think that voice comes from?
Contemporary scientists in ethology, neuroscience and evolutionary psychology seek to explain conscience as a function of the brain that evolved to facilitate reciprocal altruism within societies. Attempts have been made by neuroscientists to locate the free will necessary for the veto of conscience to operate in a measurable awareness of an intention to carry out an act that occurs about 350–400 microseconds after the electrical discharge known as the ‘readiness potential.’ Jacques Pitrat claims that some kind of artificial conscience is beneficial in Artificial intelligence systems to improve their long-term performance and direct their introspective processing.Antonio Damasio considers conscience an aspect of extended consciousness beyond survival-related dispositions and incorporating the search for truth and desire to build norms and ideals for behavior.
Yea, Yea, Yea…It’s not at all your little spirit man inside talking to you and showing you right from wrong..nah…couldn’t be.
The New Testament concept of conscience is more individual in nature and is seen in three major areas. First, conscience is a God-given capacity for human beings to exercise self-evaluation and critique. Paul refers several times to his own conscience as being “good” or “clear” (Acts 23:1, 24:16; 1 Corinthians 4:4). This tells us that Paul examined his own words and deeds and found them to be in accordance with his morals and value system which were, of course, based on God’s standards. His conscience verified that they were in accord with those standards and were, therefore, blameless.
Second, in the New Testament conscience is consistently portrayed as a witness to something. Paul refers to the Gentiles as having consciences that bear witness to the presence of the law of God written on their hearts, even though they did not have the Mosaic Law (Romans 2:14-15). He also appeals to his own conscience as a witness that he speaks the truth (Romans 9:1), that he has conducted himself in holiness and sincerity in his dealings with men (2 Corinthians 1:12), and that his conscience tells him his actions are apparent to both God and the witness of other men’s consciences (2 Corinthians 5:11).
Third, conscience is portrayed as a servant of the individual’s value system. An immature or weak value system produces a weak conscience, while a fully informed value system produces a strong sense of right and wrong. In the Christian life, one’s conscience can be driven by an inadequate understanding of scriptural truths and can produce feelings of guilt and shame disproportionate to the issues at hand. Maturing in the faith strengthens the conscience and applies its promptings to issues of greater consequence in the Christian life.
This last function of the conscience is the issue Paul addresses to the Corinthian church regarding the issue of eating food that had been sacrificed to idols. He makes the case that since idols are not real gods, food sacrificed to them is nothing. But some in the church were weak in their understanding and believed that such gods really existed. Eating food that had been sacrificed to the gods would have horrified them because their consciences were formed by the erroneous prejudices and superstitious views that often accompany spiritual immaturity. Therefore, Paul encourages those more mature in their understanding not to exercise their freedom to eat if it would cause the consciences of their weaker brothers to condemn their actions. The lesson here is that if our consciences are clear because of mature faith and understanding, we are not to cause those with weaker consciences to stumble by exercising the freedom that comes with a stronger conscience.
Sometimes I just want to download a virus into those peoples’ software and re-program my own program into them! If they knew what I knew, they surely wouldn’t be scoffing at God. All I can say, is God have mercy on their souls.
In Texas we have a law…. When I first moved here and read it, I laughed out loud. I thought to myself “I LOVE TEXAS!” It’s a no BS kinda state. The law states that IGNORANCE OF THE LAW IS THE LAW. Which means, to not know what the laws are, is breaking a law! How great is that?!!!
Lord just forgive these people because they reallly ‘know not what they do’. I can only hope that people like myself in the world will open them up to another way of thinking. Not opinions, not secular thinking, but the truth of your gospel and law. Guys, all I am saying is don’t believe the counterfiets that are out there. You can pick up a science fiction book all day long and enjoy the read. However, no book has ever been written with more authority, and God’s own breathed words on paper than the Holy Bible. I hope you choose the right book to read. Your soul depends on it.
Amen
Cherish
modernmiracleme 