Pray Without Ceasing

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“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving , present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6

Have you ever thought of being anxious as sinning? If you should do something and you don’t do it, it is sin. God has told us to pray always. If we don’t ask then we don’t get. We should trust that if we ask he hears us and will answer. Not always exactly what we want, but what is best. I find myself lately asking a lot of things that I used to never think of asking. But if I’m thinking about it or upset about it I need to address it. From wisdom to healing to help for someone I care about. It doesn’t matter what but why. God is the only one who can help and I know he is willing so why not ask. As a child we never hesitated to ask our parents what we wanted. So many things were not really good or necessary but we wanted them so we asked. God is the perfect Father and will always take care of us. His are always the best answers even if it may not seem like it. Our thinking is not perfect and we shouldn’t rely upon ourselves. He is right on time with the best answers even though sometimes they are delayed. Life is hard and not always easy but in the end we can see Gods wisdom. I’ve gotten things that I didn’t know I needed when I just trusted in his Devine wisdom. He will always answer prayers that aren’t spoken when we can’t pray or don’t know how to pray or are resting in his peace. He does know our needs all the time. Then we have to be thankful. Someone said that we aren’t thankful because we think we are entitled to things. No matter how simple or even if you don’t need it or want it, you should be thankful that your needs, not always your wants, are met. This time of year spend more time thinking about what you have and a little more time being grateful and then let that become a habit.

Impossible?

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“For with God nothing (is or ever) shall be impossible.” Luke 1:37

I had a stroke in 2005 and I have never been the same. Now 20 years later as I’m getting older I find myself falling apart. I used to think, what can I do to make a difference in the world? I’m in a wheelchair and I only have my right hand that works somewhat. But God has helped me to stay pretty independent. I don’t need much after I am in my chair and am still able to help others. I keep my mind sharp and love to read. I have written 5 books over the last 20 years. I also write a blog of Christian encouragement to help others. My first book was about my life and stroke and all I was learning about the disabled as I learned my new normal. My stroke saved my life. I didn’t know I was destroying my life and also those around me until I looked back. I met a chaplain when I moved here and she loved the Lord so much. I wanted to know more. As I watched her I realized that I knew of the Lord but I didn’t really know the Lord. So I read everything I could about God as well as the Bible. Slowly my faith and love for God grew. I began memorizing scriptures so I could do all God told me to do in his words. I am able to share all God is teaching me with my friends and family as well as my blog. I try to stay organized so I can have everything ready for those who take care of me. God assures me that he doesn’t expect any more from me than he knows I can do. Just be available and ready to help. He does the rest. I used to go to a special needs camp every summer for a week and I learned that I am good at encouraging others. I don’t have to have all the answers because God gives me what I need to say when the time comes. What he gives me to say oftentimes lifts me up more than others. So don’t short change yourself you were created for a special purpose designed just for you and you can make a difference.

Jesus

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“In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God.” John 1:1

Jesus was always with God and working with God to do everything that was ever done. The trinity is a tightly woven bond that has always been there and always will be. Nothing happens without them. This should bring you so much comfort and peace to know that such wisdom, strength, and power are always available to you. God the architect of this perfect world designed the perfect plans with his omnipotent abilities. But Jesus just spoke a word and that perfect plan came into being. They were always working together in harmony so it still amazes me that God would let Jesus give all that up to become a human being like you and me. A poor simple human that we could relate to. Then to give his life willingly as a sacrifice for our sins, to a selfish, prideful, bunch of sinners. I know if one of my children was facing death even after just some years, not forever, it would be devastating. It was the perfect plan they hatched and even Satan couldn’t see it coming. He thought he had finally gotten the upper hand. But when Christ rose from the grave early that morning they proved him wrong again. That will never stop him from trying to take as many as he can to hell himself. If he can cause the least little bit of doubt he knows our feeble minds get to worrying a little, and over thinking, and then feeling sorry for ourselves and he can cause us to make a rash decision and he wins again. That is why you need to keep reminding yourself of all God is always so faithfully been doing for you and always will be. Be your own cheering section. Praising God can also confuse the enemy and it is building our resolve. Then doubts don’t come so easily. The enemy is a liar but he gets you to think that maybe you just don’t know God as well as you think you do and questioning things you know are true, but. He never comes right out and lies because you would see it coming. We are warned to flee from evil for a reason. Don’t give the enemy a foothold. He will never stop trying and he has many helpers. The more you stay away from sin and just keep doing the next right thing. Standing strong and persevering the better. Remember many will give up before they see heaven so don’t be one of them.

Anger

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“In your anger do not sin.”: do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, …”. Ephesians 4:26

Everyone gets angry. It’s a natural response to a hurt. Oftentimes the other person does not even realize they said or did anything that hurt you. Careless words get spoken when you cannot control a situation or a reaction by another. I live in a nursing home so some people have pain and challenges they are dealing with and have no control over their reactions. Mental illness can be so cruel because the person may not even know how they are behaving or acting. Or they get angry and bitter because they are suffering with pain and discomfort. Good people work at the home where I live and they have to deal with so much . But they realize that person cannot really help their reactions. In the real world, pressures and deadlines can set people off and they blow up. A haggard mother can loose control when their child acts out. We don’t really know what sets people off because we don’t know exactly what they are dealing with. Maybe they just lost a job or a loved one died. That doesn’t justify anger but it would explain it. Some people have mental problems where they just can’t control themselves. Some people have been treated badly all their lives and so they act the same way out of habit. But if you just take a minute to think that this is one of God’s precious children and he deserves great respect and so do his children. Maybe your response will be different. This world would be a whole lot better place if we could just take a moment to think before we say or do something we will regret later. It never hurts to take a deep breath or count to ten first, whatever works because once it’s out of your mouth you can’t take it back. Have you ever had to go to someone and ask for forgiveness? It’s much easier to hold it in. You never want to hold it in your heart because it will destroy you just like a disease. The sooner you can forgive and let it go the better you will feel. So quack like a duck and let it roll off your back. God knows it will do more damage to us than to the other person so that is why he told us to forgive before you go to bed. And it will help you sleep better also.

The Banquet

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“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” Psalms 23:5

Our God is surely good to us. And yes, everyone is watching. That is why we are persecuted. People are jealous and envious. If they can’t be blessed, then why should we. They don’t understand us and they think we are crazy but the proof is that we are happier and full of peace and favor. God doesn’t hide it either, he loves to show love and goodness to those that love him and are called according to his purposes. If they only knew exactly how much they are missing out on. They think they have more stuff, friends, money, or whatever but they are only living on crumbs. Drugs, alcohol,sex, and stuff can’t buy true happiness and peace. The more I learn about God’s true power and amazing miracles , that I couldn’t believe if I didn’t see it every day, the more I just want to shout, “did you see that?”. God is good to everyone because everything good comes from him , everything we could ever wish for in places and things. A breath taking sunset, or a fancy meal. Good friends and family. Think of all the good things we will one day have in heaven. Only perfect days forever more. No pain, death or sadness. Everything waiting for you to explore. God does good things for everyone but their eyes are only on the negative and they miss out because they aren’t grateful for what they do have. There is beauty and wonder around us every day but they take it for granted and don’t enjoy it. I remember a time when I thought I had to make my own good (emphasis on I) by doing what I wanted. It didn’t matter who it might affect along the way. I probably hurt other people to get what I wanted. Now I don’t have to strive or push to get my way. God’s ways are my ways and he blesses me all the time. Or maybe I’m just grateful for what I do have and I am thanking him all the time.

Praying

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“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6

Praying is one of our most valuable gifts. There is so much power in prayer. But. There are many things we need to do if we expect God to answer our prayers. He isn’t a genie that gives us everything we want. There is an exact way to ask. And he spells it out in his word so we will succeed in our asking. First he asks us to pray about everything important to us. He likes to hear them all because we can’t get answers without the asking. Then we need to ask specifically and not generally. Now that doesn’t mean we get everything we want or how we want or even when we want it. God does know what is best and he can and will do it. He also wants and deserves thanksgiving for all he has already done and continues to do. Ungrateful askers can’t expect much. Ask with boldness and knowledge that he can do anything if it is best for all parties. You may not think something is possible but it is so possible with God. Don’t underestimate him ever. Never stop asking because persistence is rewarded but sometimes the answer is no, not right now, or I have something better for you. We may not always see it as better but trust me he does. Someone we don’t want to die, but does. But maybe it is just time for them to experience heaven and all it has to offer them. God knows. He works some amazing things out in peoples lives that I’m praying for every single day. I’m amazed at some answers I could never have predicted. I see so many incredible and awesome answers and I only see a tiny bit of all God is doing. He’s working behind the scenes all the time and sometimes the enemy tries to get in the middle of it. But we need to relax and let him take control.

The Soldier

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“For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go’, and he goes, and that one, ‘Come’, and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this’, and he does it.” Matthew 8:9

A soldier is only concerned with doing the will of his commander. We are soldiers in God’s army and we should do everything unto the Lord our King. I am retired so I can do whatever I want but God is my boss and I follow his lead. I follow his commands and try to be like him. A good soldier is sure to wear his uniform proudly and always has his weapons at the ready. He wouldn’t go into battle without them or he would end up dead. Others lives depend on him and a careless soldier is not an honorable soldier. We follow commands and when God tells us to do something it is extremely wise to heed his call. Sometimes his commands don’t always make sense because we don’t know everything and we don’t have to. God always does what is best for us, as does any good commander. They know things that we don’t. They are responsible for the safety of their soldiers. The ultimate commander is God himself and we all should take his lead. A good commander would give his life for his soldiers and God gave the most important thing to us that he could. The life of his one and only son. I know I could take a bullet before I could watch one of my children suffer and die. That says so much for the leader of the world. He leads by example. That is why he sent his son. Because as we watched Jesus, we got to know the Father better. He will do whatever it takes to make sure his children are safe, healthy and happy.

You Matter

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“You created me in my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” Psalms 139:13

God loved you so much that even before you were born he knew everything about you and every minute of your life. Even if you don’t survive out of the womb or live to be 100. He has a perfect plan for your life and he made you on purpose. God doesn’t make mistakes and he makes everything good. When I was a little girl I was the first born so I got to do things like ballet, learning to sew and cook and one summer I got to take art appreciation and got to make things with clay, painting, and even paper mache. Of course three kids later and they had no time to do that for the others. Everything I made was important to me because I made it. My grandson can build a tower and is devastated when it crashes to the ground and it can ruin his whole day. Well God loved all he had made too. He even said, it was good! He really wants an intimate relationship with each and every one of us. Remember we are made in his image and nothing else ever made can say that. Even the angels are made to do good, it’s like their job. We were given freedom to choose how we would live. The minute he created us he fell in love with us and there is nothing we could ever do to make him stop loving us. He could never love us more than he does right now, flaws and all. He rejoices over us. I couldn’t make this up, it’s in his words. He made everyone so uniquely different on purpose. That is what makes the world alive. Different colors, nationalities, personalities and looks. These make us who we are. We all want and deserve to be loved. I have a really bad habit of noticing the differences in other people but that is what makes them so special and unique. It’s really the heart that matters most anyway. That is why he sent his only son to die in our place because he said, you are worth it.

God’s Word

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“All scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, “. 2 Timothy 3:16

God’s word is so important for anyone who wants to be more like God. It is powerful and rich and every word of God is so valuable. God would not waste words and he only says the truth and what we need to know. I start in Genesis and don’t stop till I hit Revelations. I know some people have favorites and read them over and over and I will admit that some chapters can be tough to get through but the more you try the more God will reveal to you. A couple years ago I felt God say, slow down, are you reading to get it done or do you really want to know what I’m saying? So now I’m reading a chapter a day and really dwelling on what God’s saying and then when he gives me something I journal what he’s telling me. I am amazed at so many things I’m learning that I never saw before. In Numbers for example with all the names and numbers. He told me that each person he has ever created matters to him and he knows their name and he loves them all even when he hates to see them doing things that will eventually hurt them. They were made on purpose and he has plans for their lives even if they choose their own. Choosing Gods plans brings so much freedom, life, peace and wisdom. There is so much power available to us that we don’t realize, when we know Gods ways intimately. I have seen God’s character becoming so much deeper and everything he does is very intentional and his words also. Because everyone everywhere who reads it gets meaning specifically for them. God’s promises will always be true and they are fulfilled over and over in lives for thousands of years. Try it for yourself.

The Rose

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“Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me.” 2 Corinthians 12:7

My 40’s was a wild time. Everyone always treated me well and I became proud and conceited. I had always been told I was special and it went to my head, I guess, because I began to want what I wanted all the time. It was up to me to make sure my life was great and only I mattered. At least that is how I acted. Well I really feel that God needed to bring me down a notch or two before I destroyed my life completely. Well at 45 I had a major stroke. When I woke up I couldn’t speak, or move at all. The doctors said I probably wouldn’t make it. But I did and even improved by leaps and bounds, but it took years. It was a very difficult time for me but God was patiently working. I eventually moved into a nursing home in another city. Several divine encounters and I began to seek more and more of what God had for me. When we are struggling and seeking God and nothing is happening God is probably working on our hearts. God will allow Satan to bring trials that God will use for our good, in his time. It usually takes longer than we would like but we are the one taking too long. At first I thought God would heal me and I really believed and expected it. But after years I gave up. I would just have to get used to my new normal. But I did seek God with my whole heart. The joy and peace came by leaps and bounds and I became a blessing to others. Just like God did for Job he blessed the latter part of my life more than double. When you see a rose the bigger the thorns are, the bigger the rose is. You also don’t get thorns and no roses. Another reason for the thorns is protection. The delicate rose needs to be kept safe while it’s growing. Now when people ask if I want to be healed, I say I was. God knew what I needed more than anyone else ever could. I am so thankful and grateful for everything I have now because of my stroke. Without it where would I be? Well I probably would have made it to heaven but with a mediocre life and not near as fulfilling and joyful as it is now.