Category: Gods power

Praying

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“And pray in the spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” Ephesians 6:18

Praying in the spirit is the best way to pray when you really want God’s will to be done because you have no agenda and you don’t even know what you’re praying. There is greater power than you can imagine because the spirit knows just what to pray for. First of all no prayer is answered if you don’t pray and you can really believe when you know it’s the spirit praying. It also says to pray all kinds of prayers. No prayers are unimportant to God even something you think is insignificant is important to you so it’s Important. We should pray without ceasing throughout the day as needs come to you, someone having surgery, someone in an accident, someone struggling with something, people you care about. Maybe somebody needs strength or wisdom to do something difficult or just when you are anxious about something. You may need rest and peace from Jesus. Anything!. Praying and fasting for important things like our nation or just wisdom and strength for something you are planning to do. But praying and supporting other Christian’s. With there every need or even maybe someone who isn’t a Christian but has asked for you to pray for them. I once thought my silly need to just have better food to eat because it seemed like it was the same things I didn’t like all the time. So I started praying and it took a while but the menus started changing now I have really pretty good food. And never give up on something important even if it takes a while because God may be working behind the scenes and putting all the pieces in place. Some things take time. I believe God will call us to pray for some things and when he prompts you don’t delay and when someone asks you to pray for them do it right then or you will forget.

God’s Plans vs. My Plans

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“Many are the plans in a persons heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that will prevail.” Proverbs 19:21

How do we know if our plans are for us or for God? Ask for God’s wisdom in the matter. God can search your heart and tell you. We are human and we are imperfect. We almost always have a motive. That is human nature. We may say it’s for God but is there a benefit for us? Maybe it’s just to look good to others or ourselves. That’s a nice thing for me to do. Maybe you are trying to decide if you should give money to somebody. They will think I’m so special if I give it. I was taught that the right hand shouldn’t know what the left hand was doing. Or give anonymously then you know nobody will know.Then they can’t thank you so God can be the one to reward you. Maybe you decide to loose weight. Am I trying to impress someone or do I want Gods temple in good condition. I know I felt led to go on a diet because I saw people around me whose eating habits were putting their health at risk and I thought I should change my diet to become healthier. I even felt led to read a book about a certain way of eating and I did loose weight and felt so much stronger and better because of it. Sometimes we just want our ways and they aren’t always good for us. Or we really want to do something whether God wants me to or not. Like I want to go skydiving so I will. The end. I want to go to Germany so I just buy a ticket and don’t ask God. At one time in my life I didn’t think to ask for his advice. But do you know that he really does have the final say because he knows what is best for me and he has plans he is trying to fulfill in my life and I don’t want to get in his way anymore. I know his plans are good and I trust him. If he asked me to go to England or give money to church I would do it without questions because it’s possible or he wouldn’t prompt me. And I want what he wants in my life now. Now me going to England would take a miracle because I live in a nursing home and need 24 hour care. But he can make a way where there is no way. When it’s going to take God’s help I know it’s his plan. If it’s totally me I would question it.

My Rock

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“Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself is the rock eternal.“. Isaiah 26:4

God is so amazing, there will never be anyone more faithful. God knows the beginning from the end and everything in between because he wrote the book before we were ever born. He knows the plans he has for our lives, every billion of the lives he has ever created. They aren’t just his plans because he is working with us, we may not always stick to these plans but they can still happen with his help. We can actually get way off track at times with our own agendas and sometimes they aren’t even good for us. I love the song out right now that says, ‘I took the long way home.’ Oh how we wander! But that doesn’t make him mad or worried because he can get us back on the right path. Because he is in control not us. I think back over my life and I took some long vacations from his plans trying to do what I wanted not what he had planned. It actually caused me a lot of grief trying to do it my way. And he let me even though I had to learn some lessons the hard way.. He never gave up on me though. That is a good description of a rock (unmoving, unchanging, strong). He is so amazing because he knows everything ahead of us and still keeps us moving in the plan when we aren’t even trying to follow the plan. Some of his kids are trouble and he has tons of kids But he keeps them all in line. It takes some pretty amazing love to put up with all those kids. But to him it’s nothing.

Imagine

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“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever, Amen!” Ephesians 3:20-21

Do you know how much God can and will do in your life? Of course we don’t because God’s ways are not our ways. Nothing is impossible for God and nothing is out of the realm of possibilities. We can’t limit God nor should we want to. I heard a story this morning that was so cute but so true. A little girl was talking to her daddy and asked if she could have a shiny nickel and her dad checked his pockets but he had no change so he thought well I can give her a dollar but when he opened his wallet all he had was 2 $20 bills so he offered her one but the girl got upset and told the father he must not love her if he couldn’t give her a shiny nickel. She of course didn’t understood that $20 was like hundreds of nickels but to her a shiny nickel was special and she thought she deserved it. She knew what she wanted but wouldn’t consider that her dad maybe had something better. We are so much like that little girl, when we pray telling God what we need we get upset when he gives us something different when all along he knows what is best for us (and he is a very extravagant God). We don’t know what we might be missing out on.Just like what heaven is like, can you guess? I know I can’t. But I can guarantee that it surpasses my wildest imagination. I have heard a few stories about heaven but I’m sure they couldn’t describe all that they saw for those who had near death experiences.As Gods children we should desire all that he wants to give us. We can have heaven here on earth if we truly trust God. Because his plans for us are good and for our best but do we really believe that. I think sometimes we worry about the worst happening and maybe we don’t think we deserve better or we just don’t want to get our hopes up. Sometimes when someone gets sick or has cancer we assume the worst because the doctors tell us the worst but I know my God has always done miracles.if you have read the whole story.

How We War

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“We demolish arguments and every pretention that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5

We are not breezing through this life without trouble. But we have help. We aren’t doing it on our own strength. But the enemy is trying to feed us lies and we can also feed ourselves lies. We need to be constantly flooding our lives with the truth of God so we are prepared when lies come into our heads we will know in our hearts about what God says and recognize the lies for what they are. God always says good things to us about who we are in him. We also need the weapons we have been given at the ready. So we can be strong and ready to stand strong against these lies. Every thought needs to be processed. Is it something God has said and lines up with his truths or should we take it captive as the lie it is. Don’t let business or not feeling well keep you from being prepared and alert. Satan loves to distract us getting our minds on so many other things. I’m sure you’re just like me and when you try to pray your mind keeps wandering to other people or problems. It is not just us but something is trying to distract you. Red Flag! Fight with authority because you don’t just need to put up with it. Have you ever heard the saying, ‘Not today Satan.’ Well you can command him to stop in Jesus name. Because when you’re prepared you can stop him in his tracks. Then focus on how much good God has for you and move on. So don’t let the tools God has given you sit on the shelf collecting dust, use them.

Faithful God

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“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.” Deuteronomy 7:9

God is definitely very faithful and loving. He also never says anything he doesn’t mean. He takes promises and covenants very seriously and it doesn’t matter how long it takes to fulfill them but he always comes through. He made promises to Abraham and Sarah, to their children. To Joseph and Daniel. To Mary and Joseph. The list goes on and on. It may have seemed impossible at times but nothing is impossible for God. He is all powerful and he knows the beginning from the end and his will, will be done. He foretold the birth of his beloved son Jesus and it came about just as he said. And many other prophecies and even Jesus told of his death and resurrection . If he was raised from the dead then we can be certain that one day we will also be raised to live with him forever in eternity. So many promises that make this life very exciting. The Israelites even grumbled and complained basically telling God that he wasn’t able to come through for them so God promised them that they wouldn’t see the promised land and they didn’t. He warned the Israelites about going into exile and they did. He is always speaking truth and truth will prevail. The greatest truth was that he would send deliverance for to sin that Adam and Eve committed by eating the forbidden fruit and he did and that shows how much he loves us.

God’s Favor

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“For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime.”

Psalms 30:5

God may not like everything we do and he might need to discipline us from time to time. We may not particularly like things that we go through but God does love us very much and he always wants what is best for us. When we go through difficult times God will use them for good. To strengthen us and grow us and not harm us. He is in complete control and he knows what he is doing.yes there is evil in this world but he has to allow it. He will also only not let it go on any longer than necessary. He doesn’t want to see us suffer. Every day we wake up to a brand new day and the sun comes up at the exact time. The birds begin singing their songs. We got a fresh chance to make it a great day. God gives us everything we need. If is up to us to enjoy what God has given us though. Our attitude is up to us.i heard a story about a man who went to a restaurant and while he waited for them to take his order he noticed a man totally smiling and really enjoying his meal. So he told told the waiter he wanted whatever that guy was having. Just then he noticed the man’s wife had a scowl on her face and she didn’t seem happy. So he asked what she was eating. And the waiter said she was having the same thing as her husband. When you know Jesus he gives you peace and strength to make it through your day with a good attitude. It doesn’t matter what you have but who you know. People can spend all their money trying to fill the void that only God can fill. When God is in your life you know love and you can love others and learn that we also need people in our life to really enjoy it. I had a stroke so people have a hard time understanding me. So I would spend my days by myself but I felt God telling me to eat with everyone in the dining room and stop eating in my room. Well I have met some great friends and they can’t all understand me but they still talk to me and I can’t believe how much I enjoy eating with everyone. God loves to see us happy and he will give us everything to be happy but we decide if we will be happy..

Making Disciples

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“How then, can they call on the one they haven’t believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” Romans 10:14

The great commission is to go into all the world and make disciples of all nations and baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Who? Every person who has believed. Not just pastors, ministers, missionaries, nuns and priests. Nobody is excluded. If you love the Lord you qualify. Do you need personal training? No, you have the Holy Spirit living inside of you leading you into all you should say. The more you read God’s word the easier it becomes to share what you know but someone can just get saved and be so zealous for the Lord that they just have to tell someone. And this is exactly the platform that makes what they have to say worth believing. I know men who were in prison or drug rehabilitation that are so radically saved that their passion is infectious. But they are so amazed that God saved them that they know God will save anyone. But if someone doesn’t tell them about Jesus and how much he loves them and wants a personal relationship with them how will they know? People who need the Lord aren’t always going to be in a church where they’re preached to. They are out in the real world living the only way they know how. They also need someone compelling to believe in. Why do they need Jesus? Because they are going to die one day and the only way to heaven is through Jesus Christ. But they don’t know him. I was raised in a Christian home and read the bible but I didn’t know what I had until it was almost too late. I knew all the bible stories and was at church every time the doors were opened but nobody told me about a relationship till I was 50. People don’t realize what they are missing and what they are doing wrong that might be hurting their lives. Their life could be so much more rewarding. If you found a perfect cure for cancer would you keep it to yourself? Saying it isn’t my job to tell people. No, you would tell everyone even if they don’t have cancer now they might one day.

The Spirit To Come

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“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. “. John 16:13

When Jesus was trying to tell his apostles of what was coming and his death they couldn’t understand why he couldn’t stop what was coming. There couldn’t possibly be a good reason for him to die. He was their very best friend and their teacher and they couldn’t imagine life without him. He was supposed to do so much more, he was only 33. Nobody likes to think about someone they love dying. He tried to tell them they would be better off if he left but to them nothing could be better than Jesus. So it all happened so suddenly and they were in denial and thinking this couldn’t be happening. Jesus would make a way. But his death opened right before their eyes and they were scared and upset. But Jesus knows things that we don’t. He always knows what is best and it doesn’t always make sense to our feeble minds. We know In hindsight that his crucifiction was so worth everything. Not for Jesus to go through, but for our sins to be paid in full. Now if we had a best friend with cancer or a parent with Alzheimer’s we would pray every day for a miracle and wouldn’t accept that they could die but I know before my parents died they looked forward to being home in heaven. If someone knows where they are going if they die and are a Christian they can’t help but get excited. I remember my father trying to explain to me how exciting it was when he received the baptism in the Holy Spirit. I didn’t even know what he meant back then but there is so much power. You can’t understand without experiencing it yourself. Just remember the difference the Spirit made when it fell upon the apostles in the upper room. It was like night and day. They became wise and powerful, doing things that Jesus was able to do. They were brave and powerful and able to start the first church.You have so much wisdom and authority. You can pray bold prayers. And stand up to Satan, telling him he has to leave you alone. The spirit tells you things that Jesus or God would tell you. He can also tell you things that will happen in the future The anointing of God can come upon you to say and do things you wouldn’t be able to do on your own. Being lead by the Spirit can be the most exciting experience. I know my life skyrocketed when I received the baptism in the Holy Spirit It doesn’t necessarily come all at once but slowly growing more and more powerful.

God’s Desire For Us

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“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothes yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12

God has a purpose and a plan for our lives and he wants us to do just what he sees happening. As his children he expects us to be more like him each day. To work for his kingdom and his glory. Some of us take longer than others to get where he wants us to be but that is just the way he made us and that is on purpose. He doesn’t expect anything that he doesn’t help us to become. So many lives are intertwined with ours and we need to work together to do his will. It’s just like an actress playing her part and making it convincing and believable. We need love with compassion, kindness and caring, humility that keeps us humble and gentleness and patience. Characteristics that God is good at and his children should also be good at. Because the world is watching us and should see Christ in us and be drawn to him more all the time. We also want to have the Holy Spirit’s help to keep us strong and wise when the enemy tries to catch us off guard. We can’t let him get us distracted and keep us from your plans for us. I know I want to do all I can to help people see just how much they are missing by not knowing my Lord because they think I’m missing out on so much by not living my life the way I choose. But I have learned the long and hard way that when you die to self you actually gain real full life. And I wouldn’t trade that for anything. I spent so many years trying to live my life to the fullest and how others thought I’d be happiest but I wasn’t really happier just more stressed and struggling more to have control. Things aren’t always in are control because God is in control because he does know what is best for everyone. He knows our needs better than we do. And he does want what is best for us.