More than we ask.

Ephesians 3:16-21 NLT

I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.

_____

Hopefully you've read the verses above and felt empowered. Maybe you've wanted to get more stuck in when it comes to your vital ministry of prayer. And here Paul gives us some pointers as how to pray with the effectual fervent prayer that James writes about.
Pray thankfully. It is amazing how much this will change you. Tell God how you are thankful for your brothers and sisters. Actually I'm sure this will have an impact on you as you consider everyone (including your enemies). As you tell God why you are thankful for all the various people in your life, in your church, in your family, in your workplace, and among your difficult to love others category, you'll be encouraged and encouraging.

Paul says he prays constantly. Some ways you can pray more is to pray short prayers every time you think of someone. When you are out and about and you see someone who resembles the person you want to pray for, or you see someone wearing similar clothes, or from the same part of the world. The more you associated people and prayer and ways of remembering to pray the more you will pray and new reminded to pray. Prayer begets prayer.

Pray that the people you love will have "spiritual wisdom and insight", pray this for the people in your church, pray it for your family members who are believers, pray that God will do this in the hearts of those you want to be saved. Surely there is no other way for someone to understand the gospel than if God grants this prayer.

I could go on and on about this passage because it is so rich in things to pray, attitudes to have and practices to get into.

Get excited about the freedom to pray. Just think how blessed you, Jesus and others will be as you adopt these ways of praying.

Whose plan are you following?

“Put away your sword,” Jesus told him. “Those who use the sword will die by the sword. Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly? http://bible.us/Matt26.52.NLT

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We don't need to protect ourselves. God is able to protect us. At least according to Jesus words here Peter' use of a sword for self defence would only lead to a violent death.

Two questions come to mind:

Do we trust God to protect us? 

Do we believe that God's plan is for us to suffer?
When Paul did attempt to use his human rights (afforded by his Roman citizenship) he suffered a great deal more and rather than make a human rights legal citizenship plea then in front of all the political legal authorities Paul used the opportunity to talk about Jesus.
Will you?
Please consider filling in my fun and informative questionnaire.

Both questions boil down to the same thing.

Do we really know and trust God's plan. Consider Jesus ' example, think about Peter, Silas,  and Paul's experiences.

Arrested, beaten,  hunted down,  stalked, run out of town,  and most of the apostles died difficult painful sad deaths at the hands of their enemies.

They took beatings and rejoiced. The bragged about their hardships.

They didn't take self-defence courses, arm themselves, or even try to change the laws and political system.

They loved the family of God, and they preached the good news about Jesus. 

Jesus' idea of self defence is to turn the other cheek. And that is what he did.

God's plan for self defence is to farm with your metal. In God's kingdom swords become plows.

Do you trust God? Do you trust God's plan for you? Are you willing to really follow Jesus? Peter, the Apostles, Paul, the early church and many many Christians through the ages followed Jesus by suffering, turning the other cheek,  loving their enemies, making peace,  abhorring war and violence.

God gives you the right to trust him? 

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If you are reading this I have a long and detailed questionnaire beginning with contact details asking about your thoughts on my daily verses, emails and texts and ending with a lot of silly questions. the questionnaire is long but only requires your first and last name. 

http://goo.gl/pwNCL

Are you ready and waiting?

Matthew 24:35-44 NLT

Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.
“However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.
“When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.
“Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left.
“So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.

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Several years ago when my family was young and we had a very busy Sunday church routine there seemed to be an inevitable last minute mad dash to make it on time and not be late.
For nearly thirteen years the Sunday schedule was the same. Where we lived changed, the number of children in the house changed, my tasks on the day increased and decreased and increased again with various seasons and programs but the need to get ready and leave together as a family stayed pretty much the same.
The mad dash persisted. We knew it was coming but we rarely were ready comfortably.

Whether you know it is coming or it comes on as a complete surprise, being ready seems hard.

Jesus is coming. This world will end and Jesus will return.

Are you ready? Are you living in expectation?

Are you busy about being ready for Jesus' return.

At school we used to have fire drills and disaster emergency drills so that everyone would be ready and know what to do in the event of an emergency. Wedding parties often have a rehearsal before the big day. And people who have to give a speech or report will often practice in the mirror.
One year I had the opportunity to go to the World Snooker Championship. It is a major international televised event. Before the cameras were live in the Crucible Theatre, the emcee, had us in the audience practice our reactions so that when the cameras came on, we'd all be ready and we'd respond as one with excitement and unity.
Jesus' return is a bit more important than the World Snooker Championship.
Are you ready?  Are you getting ready?

Can you let God be good?

Matthew 20:1-16 NLT

“For the Kingdom of Heaven is like the landowner who went out early one morning to hire workers for his vineyard. He agreed to pay the normal daily wage and sent them out to work.
“At nine o’clock in the morning he was passing through the marketplace and saw some people standing around doing nothing. So he hired them, telling them he would pay them whatever was right at the end of the day. So they went to work in the vineyard. At noon and again at three o’clock he did the same thing.
“At five o’clock that afternoon he was in town again and saw some more people standing around. He asked them, ‘Why haven’t you been working today?’
“They replied, ‘Because no one hired us.’
“The landowner told them, ‘Then go out and join the others in my vineyard.’
“That evening he told the foreman to call the workers in and pay them, beginning with the last workers first. When those hired at five o’clock were paid, each received a full day’s wage. When those hired first came to get their pay, they assumed they would receive more. But they, too, were paid a day’s wage. When they received their pay, they protested to the owner, ‘Those people worked only one hour, and yet you’ve paid them just as much as you paid us who worked all day in the scorching heat.’
“He answered one of them, ‘Friend, I haven’t been unfair! Didn’t you agree to work all day for the usual wage? Take your money and go. I wanted to pay this last worker the same as you. Is it against the law for me to do what I want with my money? Should you be jealous because I am kind to others?’
“So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last.”

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People don't like grace. Does this story get under your skin?

Imagine you were part of the story,  and you only just showed up and then it was time to collect your pay and you got a full days wage.  Imagine you'd spent the whole day stealing from the other workers and making the harvest hard to gather and the work difficult to do. That is you and grace.

Maybe you don't like the way God runs his kingdom. But God's way is the only way you'll get any thing good.
If you believe this is the way God runs his affairs and you are the obvious beneficiary, why don't you run your affairs this way?

Be godly, live by grace.

Why do you want to make it so hard on yourself?

Matthew 19:23-26 NLT

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. I’ll say it again—it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!”
The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked.
Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”

---

Everyone wants to be rich!  But riches are a snare, and a distraction. Almost everyone in the USA and the UK / Europe who will read this is rich. Compared to the rest of the world or compared to your ancestors, you are very rich.
Some of you will protest and think you are poor but you really know very little about real poverty.

Still the bible is replete with warnings against seeking wealth. God does not want you to be wealthy in this world's terms as any kind of life goal. If you made a new years resolution to earn more, live better, invest more, or raise your standard of living then you may be at odds with God's plan for you.

King David was pretty well off, but he writes that if he gets too rich be may forget God and if he gets too poor he may fall in to stealing.  He asks God to just meet his needs.

Your needs are nearly always far less than your desires.

God expects us to share our wealth not store it up. Our retirement plan is supposed to be a trust in God. (Ask me in fifteen or twenty years how that's worked out)

I'm not blowing this out of proportion,  notice the disciples reaction. "If that's the way it is, Jesus, no one is going to make it into your Kingdom." See they knew that every one trusts wealth before God. Nearly everyone would rather be rich than righteous. And nearly everyone according to Jesus is wrong.

Don't want to be rich.

So is it impossible to be righteous and rich?

Only by a miracle of God, but if Jesus was standing before you right now and he said you can have me and my Kingdom or wealth right now.  Most would foolishly turn down Jesus and take the riches. Do you still think money will make life better,  easier, safer? Are you willing to believe what Jesus said or are you convinced you know better?

So what will it be your money or your life?

Imagination and intimacy

I was praying and thought I'd not felt God's warmth in my prayers.

I imagined I was reaching out to God and he was thin and sinewy. My hand had not made contact yet he was like the rear leg of a stretching young cat, but then the image shifted to the back of a greyhound dog. 
Then I wondered, what does God feel like to me and why? 
What image did I want to have in my head and was any image appropriate? 
Why was my image of God somewhat stretched, tight, or aloof? When this image felt inappropriate I briefly imagined a more portly older man's belly but switched to the soft, relaxed, muscled shoulders and broad back of a fatherly, early middle aged man.

Finally it occurred to me to wonder why an image at all? Was I making an idol?

This all said far more about me than God. Had my prayers become a ritual? Had my heart become utilitarian in my prayers? Why did I think that to imagine God as anything would improve my prayers? Why did my prayers need improving?

Intimacy is often the process of twisting/relating something or someone to fit an image in our minds. We feel closer if things are familiar and, unfortunately, the people, things, or situations closest to us may be to some extent imagined and only really existing in our minds.

Why is it not right to imagine God as a sleek muscled domesticated warm but somewhat aloof animal?

Firstly God is not tame. He is not ours in the sense that we dominate him or are above him in any way. Spirit and light and life all seem so ethereal and definitely not huggable. Yet basking in the warm and enveloping summer sun does seem intimate yet otherworldly. Immensely powerful and yet personal and close by while being inestimably far away. 
You can imagine being "hugged" by the warmth of the sun but never hugging it back.

I think I've fallen into the trap of saying to God, Please help this person or that person, please save this person or change this situation, without worship. 
There is something inside me that needs to worship, and worship somehow needs to be intimate but other. Completely immersive and enveloping but like being touched by something far, far greater.

If God were too close, would he be cheapened or lessened in some way?

Again this exercise is revealing more about my heart than God's true nature. 
Reading about Jesus, people did want to touch him or be touched by him. But they were content with a touch not of the actual man but simply the hem of his garment. Still Jesus healed countless people and by all accounts many were touched in the process. Even if Jesus had not laid a physical hand on a person, he had thought or said a deeply personal thing to this individual and their bodies responded. They were touched in a way like they had never been touched before. They felt it. They were whole. Movement resulted. Warmth and feeling were possible which had never been before or in a long time. Numbness was replaced by feeling. 
Our souls, when saved, know this same healing, and it is this intimacy of being touched that floods the experience of worship. Harnessing power is what we want to do, but the act of harnessing lessens it by making it controllable. We try to harness the sun or wind for power. We dam rivers and put bits in the mouths of animals so we can control them. But when the wind gusts and blows a gale, we must release the sails and freewheel the windmills because we can't harness a hurricane. You can not begin to tame a tornado. The power of God is greater (hotter) than a billion sun's.

We would be melted to less than a vapour if we were as close as a hundred million light years away from a nanosecond of exposure to his power. We can not be close or we would cease to be. And still he is near to us and more intimate than we could ever imagine. We can not harness God but we can wonder and worship.

Imagination and intimacy

I was praying and thought I'd not felt God's warmth in my prayers.

I imagined I was reaching out to God and he was thin and sinewy. My hand had not made contact yet he was like the rear leg of a stretching young cat, but then the image shifted to the back of a greyhound dog. 
Then I wondered, what does God feel like to me and why? 
What image did I want to have in my head and was any image appropriate? 
Why was my image of God somewhat stretched, tight, or aloof? When this image felt inappropriate I briefly imagined a more portly older man's belly but switched to the soft, relaxed, muscled shoulders and broad back of a fatherly, early middle aged man.

Finally it occurred to me to wonder why an image at all? Was I making an idol?

This all said far more about me than God. Had my prayers become a ritual? Had my heart become utilitarian in my prayers? Why did I think that to imagine God as anything would improve my prayers? Why did my prayers need improving?

Intimacy is often the process of twisting/relating something or someone to fit an image in our minds. We feel closer if things are familiar and, unfortunately, the people, things, or situations closest to us may be to some extent imagined and only really existing in our minds.

Why is it not right to imagine God as a sleek muscled domesticated warm but somewhat aloof animal?

Firstly God is not tame. He is not ours in the sense that we dominate him or are above him in any way. Spirit and light and life all seem so ethereal and definitely not huggable. Yet basking in the warm and enveloping summer sun does seem intimate yet otherworldly. Immensely powerful and yet personal and close by while being inestimably far away. 
You can imagine being "hugged" by the warmth of the sun but never hugging it back.

I think I've fallen into the trap of saying to God, Please help this person or that person, please save this person or change this situation, without worship. 
There is something inside me that needs to worship, and worship somehow needs to be intimate but other. Completely immersive and enveloping but like being touched by something far, far greater.

If God were too close, would he be cheapened or lessened in some way?

Again this exercise is revealing more about my heart than God's true nature. 
Reading about Jesus, people did want to touch him or be touched by him. But they were content with a touch not of the actual man but simply the hem of his garment. Still Jesus healed countless people and by all accounts many were touched in the process. Even if Jesus had not laid a physical hand on a person, he had thought or said a deeply personal thing to this individual and their bodies responded. They were touched in a way like they had never been touched before. They felt it. They were whole. Movement resulted. Warmth and feeling were possible which had never been before or in a long time. Numbness was replaced by feeling. 
Our souls, when saved, know this same healing, and it is this intimacy of being touched that floods the experience of worship. Harnessing power is what we want to do, but the act of harnessing lessens it by making it controllable. We try to harness the sun or wind for power. We dam rivers and put bits in the mouths of animals so we can control them. But when the wind gusts and blows a gale, we must release the sails and freewheel the windmills because we can't harness a hurricane. You can not begin to tame a tornado. The power of God is greater (hotter) than a billion sun's.

We would be melted to less than a vapour if we were as close as a hundred million light years away from a nanosecond of exposure to his power. We can not be close or we would cease to be. And still he is near to us and more intimate than we could ever imagine. We can not harness God but we can wonder and worship.

Where did you get your information?

Matthew 16:16-17, 21-27 NLT

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead.
But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!”
Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds.

---

"You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”

Where did you get your information? We actually have very little first hand knowledge. Most of what we think we know about the world had been told to us or taught us. And a great deal of what we rely on everyday as fact is taken by faith in the source of information. You trust the supermarket to sell you safe food that has not been poisoned. You take the pills the doctor prescribed, that the pharmacist prepared, that the drug companies manufactured, from chemicals and ingredients someone said was the right thing, that some researcher claimed was effective. Thalidomide?
But could it be like cigarettes? For years they were claimed to be healthy even by doctors. And only recently, in my life time, have all the authorities finally agreed cigarette smoking is dangerous and kills.

So where did you get your information about Jesus?
Could it be that, like Peter  you got it right that Jesus is God because God revealed it to you? But could it be, like Peter, you have God's plan all wrong and got that information from Satan.

Peter, the same guy to whom God the Father revealed the identity of Jesus the Messiah, is also later the rejector of God's plan for Jesus death and becomes a spokesperson for Satan.

Don't assume you've got the right information.
Don't assume that because you have one thing right (even a very important thing) that you have everything right.

Part of giving up your life will be giving up your assumptions.

For instance you want to have a comfortable, easy life--  who doesn't?  But that is not what God is calling you to,  no matter what the false prophets of this day say to please your ears. God's plan is for you to lose your life to gain it.

Check your sources!

If it is possible that you have gotten wrong two of the most important things in the history of mankind,  the identity of Jesus and God's plan for your life, what other things might you be sure about but completely wrong about?

One copper coin?

http://bible.us/Matt10.25.NLT

25 Students are to be like their teacher, and slaves are to be like their master.  And since I, the master of the household, have been called the prince of demons, the members of my household will be called by even worse names!
28 “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. What is the price of two sparrows  —one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.
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Jesus was called demonic, we ought to expect similar treatment. Name calling is not something insignificant. It often can lead to more serious threats and even violence. But don't feel inclined to placate those who are only able to threaten the body.  Obviously we need to be more concerned about God who not only had power over your body but your soul as well.

But don't think that God is uncaring and indifferent to your plight. God has his finger on the pulse of the world and he is aware of every bird and every hair. There is no doubt that he is fully engaged in your situation. God has considered all the options and he is looking out for your best interest. Your Father in heaven knows every detail of what you are going through. He is concerned. If you are trusting in Jesus then the Father is completely on your side.  Even when you are not trusting his son, Jesus. He is rescuing you, even when you act like Jesus' enemy.

Why does God knows the number of hairs on your head?  Isn't it to demonstrate his intimate love of you, isn't it so you will hear his attention to detail in your life. Shouldn't you feel card for, loved, and appreciated. God your Father has the details and the big things covered.  He thinks you are valuable. He says you are valuable, you matter, he will protect you. He is aware of you. He takes notice of your comings and goings, he knows of your affliction, he feels for your pain, he hears your complaints, and he intercedes for you.

Don't allow yourself to focus so much on the here and now. Don't weigh up the circumstances and assume there is no way out.  God is in control. He knows the score. He is gracious and kind. You can allow yourself to trust him with your life. You can bring to God your worries, your frustrations, and your needs. Don't fall in with the blind world who thinks that this is all there is. Don't complain bitterly feeling you are all alone with no help. God is here. He is able to meet your needs. Don't become cynical and feel like you need to hate others. Don't bend to the pressures put upon you by those who ignore or mock your Father in heaven.

Rejoice your soul is safe in the hands of a loving Father.

You will face opposition to following God, but no one can oppose your Father in heaven and survive. Feel safe and secure in God's welcome.

Jesus climbed into a boat and went back across the lake to his own town. Some people brought to him a paralyzed man on a mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “Be encouraged, my child! Your sins are forgiven.”
But some of the teachers of religious law said to themselves, “That’s blasphemy! Does he think he’s God?”
Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you have such evil thoughts in your hearts? Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!”
And the man jumped up and went home! Fear swept through the crowd as they saw this happen. And they praised God for sending a man with such great authority. http://bible.us/Matt9.1.NLT

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"Does he think he’s God?”

Who can say that sins are forgiven? Well everyone knows the answer to that question. Only God can forgive sins.
Jesus had been healing people and I might add for free. Seems like a really nice guy. Word is getting around that Jesus has been spending time with the down and outers. He's been healing the sick for nothing in return, he's been feeding hungry people. He sounds like a nice guy. Actually most people are saying he's a good man, a honest teacher,  maybe even a prophet of God.

But this is too far! Good people don't go around claiming to be God. Obviously that would be a lie and lying is not good.

Isn't that just the way it is, God gives someone a little power and it goes to their head. Surely Jesus hasn't went off the rails.

I'd have not have believed it if I'd not had heard it with my own ears. Jesus is not only making a claim to be God, he's saying that his healing and miracles are a proof that his words are true. So I'm left with this question, does Jesus have the right,  the authority, the proof to say he's God?

That's what he's putting before us all. If Jesus is God then, well, we better be listening and understanding. If he had the power and authority to forgive sins, I better get in the queue. Everyone knows healing may help in this life but the real deal clincher is the life to come. And everyone also knows that sins are the big barrier.

A little later in Matthew's gospel,  the same questioners ask why Jesus hangs out with scum, why is he rubbing shoulders with lowlife, why sully himself with sinners?

Jesus answers that sick people need a doctor.

So it is obvious, "Does he think he’s God?”

Yes, he does. He is claiming to have the authority to heal sinners. He is a sin healer. A sin doctor.  Jesus is God.

How much more?

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
“You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him. Matthew 7:7-11 NLT

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Fiddler on the Roof,
Tevye: Sometimes I think, when it gets too quiet up there, You say to Yourself, "What kind of mischief can I play on My friend Tevye?"

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God is not a bored mischievous meddler with nothing better to do than to cause us trouble.

God is a perfect father.

He knows what you need. As your Father,  God is excited to give you good gifts. Your father in heaven isn't a removed Santa figure who is keeping score from afar. God is listening, he is leaning in towards you. He is attentive to your needs. God is a better parent than any parent who has lived among man.

Do you believe that God is a listening, approachable, attentive father?
Have you read the verses above and trusted God with a heart full of praise and a trust that God cares and is generous?

God gives good gifts. Are you asking?  Do you even know what a good gift would be? God hears and answers your prayers.

Here are some thoughts on prayer a jotted down a few months ago :

Notes on Prayer
Places and times you can pray
Pray when you eat breakfast Pray while you take a shower Pray when you first get up and lay in bed Pray while walking to work Pray when you are waiting for your computer to load Pray while you are waiting for the kettle to boil Pray while ride the bus Pray while you are driving Pray while you sit on the toilet Pray while you are in the waiting area of the Doctors
Attitudes of Prayer
Pray about what you feel strongly about Pray about Things you think about God Pray about people you love Pray about your sin Pray about your family Pray about decisions you have to make Pray for the poor Pray for humility Pray that you’ll understand grace
Just pray a short prayer
If you say you’ll pray for someone , in your heart and mind do it right then, then ask God to bring it back to your mind later and decide you’ll ask God to take care of it when you think of it later.
Just a short word to him, he and you both know so don’t feel like you have to make a big deal of each thing every time.
Actually tell God that when you hope for someone or something that you mean that in prayer Write your prayers out to people in emails and texts and cards.
Simple and something like this,
Dear Lyssa,
I pray God shows you today how much he loves you. I ask God that he would graciously show you his grace and love in new ways. I pray you will love his word and I ask our Father to rule with love and hope in your heart.
Pray about health
Pray about everything that is a concern to you. Mention it to God as you would mention it to a friend or family member,
Lord, My stomach hurts again. Please help me bear the pain. Lord is there something I can do to not have this stomach ache all the time? Please help me have the trust in you to bear this with joy and not to fall into complaining and feeling sorry for myself. I trust you God that you love me and that you are good.
When you worry, pray!
When you don’t know what to do pray.
Don’t get hung up on what to say, just say what you’d say to someone you trusted as a friend who cared for you.
Father, I can’t figure out this computer. I don’t want to waste my time at work on this anymore. Please Lord help me. Help me not to have to be successful with everything I do to feel accepted by you. thank you that I don’t need to prove my worth to you. I’ll trust you to help me get this done or move on to something else for a while. Please help my boss guide me on this sticky situation.
Often those thoughts are not fully articulated but the sentiment is in my heart. I am cultivating a right attitude by training my thoughts to be prayers.

Even corrupt tax collectors do that much.

“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Matthew 5:43-48 NLT

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Gift giving is not always easy, especially at Christmas time in an age of austerity. But how do we decide? Sort of like Santa's list we must assess who's been naughty and who's been nice. There are the people we love and really want to buy gifts for, and the people we want to get gifts for but they don't expect it. Then there are the people we must give gifts to but aren't too keen on it, and lastly the people we should give gifts to but we really don't want to.

Others know it. They know if you have in your heart the gift of favour. They can sense if you are springing up with grace towards them. But maybe you feel like the well is dry. Your spring of generosity is empty. You've got nothing to give.

Let me commend to you God's gift giving motto.

" For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. "

And this doesn't start with a large back account, this starts with an overhaul of your bank and banking attitude.

Firstly, bank with God. If you have Jesus as your guarantee of deposit, you'll never be overdrawn. Your well of living water will never run dry. If you see the grace of God towards you and you understand he freely gives all good things to you, his enemy, then you too will be able to open your heart full of favour towards all men.

Secondly, give to the undeserving.  Lavish your gifts on the naughty and the nice alike. 

Cause your goodness to bless the foul, the fiend, the forward, the foolish, the friend and the foe.

Don't simply get for the good. Don't lavish your loved ones and ignore the lurid, lascivious, lustful, lonely, late, landed, lazy, leper, lout, long-winded, loveless, or low-life.

God doesn't withhold his grace from you or them.

Give the gift of your favour to the least deserving and you will have understood what this holiday is all about.

And you think your family is messy....

I'm inviting you to read the family tree of Jesus recorded by the apostle Matthew. Matthew, was a Jewish tax collector who became a disciple of Jesus. If you are at all familiar with the stories of the Bible, this list will remind you of many triumphant and tragic family stories. As you read the list why not join me in trying to recall what you can remember from the true life dramas that are the lead up to the life of Jesus.

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This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David and of Abraham:
Abraham was the father of Isaac.
Isaac was the father of Jacob.
Jacob was the father of Judah and his brothers. Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah (whose mother was Tamar).
Perez was the father of Hezron.
Hezron was the father of Ram. Ram was the father of Amminadab.
Amminadab was the father of Nahshon.
Nahshon was the father of Salmon. Salmon was the father of Boaz (whose mother was Rahab).
Boaz was the father of Obed (whose mother was Ruth).
Obed was the father of Jesse. Jesse was the father of King David.
David was the father of Solomon (whose mother was Bathsheba, the widow of Uriah). Solomon was the father of Rehoboam.
Rehoboam was the father of Abijah.
Abijah was the father of Asa. Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat.
Jehoshaphat was the father of Jehoram.
Jehoram was the father of Uzziah. Uzziah was the father of Jotham.
Jotham was the father of Ahaz.
Ahaz was the father of Hezekiah. Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh.
Manasseh was the father of Amon.
Amon was the father of Josiah. Josiah was the father of Jehoiachin and his brothers (born at the time of the exile to Babylon). After the Babylonian exile:
Jehoiachin was the father of Shealtiel.
Shealtiel was the father of Zerubbabel. Zerubbabel was the father of Abiud.
Abiud was the father of Eliakim.
Eliakim was the father of Azor. Azor was the father of Zadok.
Zadok was the father of Akim.
Akim was the father of Eliud. Eliud was the father of Eleazar.
Eleazar was the father of Matthan.
Matthan was the father of Jacob. Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary.
Mary gave birth to Jesus, who is called the Messiah. All those listed above include fourteen generations from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the Babylonian exile, and fourteen from the Babylonian exile to the Messiah.
This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit.

http://bible.us/Matt1.1.NLT

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Victims of rape,  notoriously evil world leaders, patriarchs of nations and faith,  foreigners and the icons of the ethnic identity,  prostitutes, and widows of murdered soldiers all share this list. If ever there was a list that could be described as,  "the good, the bad, and the ugly," this is it.
You would hardly expect any currently media groomed political figure to be so honest about their family background. If you need any evidence of what people will do to your reputation based on your family background have a look at the viciousness of the Americans opposed to Barack Obama. Rumours, accusations and runaway imaginations have filled volumes of conspiracies theories.

When the bible tells us about the entrance of the Saviour-Messiah-Son of God it offers the facts in all their messy, easily misconstrued glory.
And glorious it is.

Jesus the Messiah came by the power of the Holy Spirit.

He came from us, to us,  and is one of us. Yet he is other. He comes from outside our world and experience and yet at once from an established family background,  so rooted in our past and history.

As you consider Jesus can you accept he is at once a human just like you and at the same time completely unique and from God?

What do you see when you look at Jesus family history?

Do you see the promise of God unfolding through the centuries, twisting and turning, waxing and waning, leading to this act 1 scene 1 of the life of our Savior?

How can this story ever become mundane?

I'm part of this family, God's family. Are you part of this genealogy? Will you inherit any of these family traits?

Jesus is the rich uncle who wants to write you into his will.

Just Grace?!

2 Corinthians 12:1-10 NLT

This boasting will do no good, but I must go on. I will reluctantly tell about visions and revelations from the Lord. I was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether I was in my body or out of my body, I don’t know—only God knows. Yes, only God knows whether I was in my body or outside my body. But I do know that I was caught up to paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words, things no human is allowed to tell.
That experience is worth boasting about, but I’m not going to do it. I will boast only about my weaknesses. If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message, even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.
Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

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These words speak volumes , "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.”

Can we possibly take this to heart?
Can you look at your life though this lens?

God isn't going to try and make your life easy. He isn't writing you the script of your own personal Disney film. Everything isn't about you, or me or us. Everything is about Jesus.

We are here so the power of Christ can work through us.

We should expect a life full of difficulty. We should expect weakness. We should expect highs and lows. Heavenly visions and thorns in the flesh.

But in all this Jesus comes to us with a reassurance. His grace is sufficient.
Break that down.

The God of the universe
The God who paid the ultimate price to bring salvation to his enemies.
The God who died because of your sin.
This God, Jesus says he gives us grace.
Jesus offers us the favour we do not deserve.
Jesus' grace is sufficient.

I think you've been duped. Because somehow you've read this to mean that it is enough. It's not much but it'll do. You've thought I'm a good soldier, I've paid my dues. And I'll walk away with my head held high, but in my heart I'll know I did it like a Spartan; I made it thorough and just by the grace of God.  I did it by the strength of my will. I'm the last one standing. I'm true grit.

WAKE UP

We're taking about you and we're talking about God's grace.

The grace of God is not spartan. God's grace is lavish.  He is giving you riches untold. He has welcomed you into his family. He is allowing you to share in Christ's life, death, and resurrection. Come on. His grace is sufficient is meant not to be taken as a self sufficient, survivor statement. This is Paul taking to the Corinthians.
Paul is making a point.

God's grace is far more than sufficient. What do you think you deserve?

But what have you got? Can you really not see what you have because God has chosen you?

And as far as weakness is concerned, could you have ever really offered anything else to the equation? I mean really. Come on. Did you really think for one second you were going to bring God strength. As is he needs your strength. The strength of his former enemy? So you've got strength? If God left you alone and didn't allow/bring all this suffering into your life you'd have somehow had some strength to offer God? You'd have pulled yourself up by your own boot straps, donned your big girl pants and brought strength to God?

Take a look in the mirror. Look in your heart.

Rejoice in grace.  Revell in grace. See the all sufficiency of grace.  Wonder at grace.  Cling to grace. Dance at the enormity of grace. Jesus offers grace.  Jackpot! Cha-ching! Grace.

What more could you possibly be hoping for? There is never ever more than grace. That's the point.

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2 Corinthians 11:22-30 NLT

Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. Are they servants of Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.
Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak without my feeling that weakness? Who is led astray, and I do not burn with anger?
If I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am.

Seven Way King

THAT'S MY KING! The Bible says my King is a seven-way king He's the King of the Jews He's the King of Israel He's the King of Righteousness He's the King of the Ages He's the King of Heaven He's the King of Glory He's the King of kings, and He's the Lord of lords. That's my King. Well....I wonder, do you know Him? David said, "The Heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament showeth His handiwork." My King is a sovereign King. No means of measure can define His limitless love. No far seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shoreless supply. No barrier can hinder Him from pouring out His blessings. He's enduringly strong. He's entirely sincere. He's eternally steadfast. He's immortally graceful. He's imperially powerful. He's impartially merciful. Do you know Him? He's the greatest phenomenon that has ever crossed the horizon of this world. He's God's Son. He's the sinner's Savior. He's the centerpiece of civilization. He stands in the solitude of Himself. He's august and He's unique. He's unparalleled. He's unprecedented. He is the loftiest idea in literature. He's the highest personality in philosophy. He is the supreme problem in higher criticism. He's the fundamental doctrine of true theology. He is the cardinal necessity for spiritual religion. He's the miracle of the age. He's -- yes He is -- He is the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him. He's the only one qualified to be an all sufficient Savior. I wonder if you know Him today? He supplies strength for the weak. He's available for the tempted and the tried. He sympathizes and He saves. He strengthens and sustains. He guards and He guides. He heals the sick. He cleansed the lepers. He forgives sinners. He discharges debtors. He delivers the captives. He defends the feeble. He blesses the young. He serves the unfortunate. He regards the aged. He rewards the diligent....and He beautifies the meek. I wonder if you know Him? Well, my King....He is the King! He's the key to knowledge. He's the wellspring of wisdom. He's the doorway of deliverance. He's the pathway of peace. He's the roadway of righteousness. He's the highway of holiness. He's the gateway of glory. Do you know Him? Well, His office is manifold. His promise is sure....and His light is matchless. His goodness is limitless. His mercy is everlasting. His love never changes. His word is enough. His grace is sufficient. His reign is righteous. And His yoke is easy, and his burden is light. I wish I could describe Him to you, but He's indescribable -- Yes He is!? He is God! He's incomprehensible. He's invincible. He's irresistible. Well, you can't get Him out of your mind. You can't get Him off of your hand. You can't out live Him, and you can't live without Him. The Pharisees couldn't stand Him, but they found out they couldn't stop Him. Pilate couldn't find any fault in Him. The witnesses couldn't get their testimonies to agree. Herod couldn't kill Him. Death couldn't handle Him, and the grave couldn't hold Him. Yea!!!, that's my King, that's my King. Yes, and Thine is the Kingdom....and the Power....and the Glory....Forever....and ever, and ever, and ever -- How long is that? And ever, and ever. And when you get through with all of the forevers, then. AMEN! Preached by Rev. S.M. Lockridge http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzqTFNfeDnE

There should be some equality

Of course, I don’t mean your giving should make life easy for others and hard for yourselves. I only mean that there should be some equality. Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way, things will be equal. 2 Corinthians 8:13-14 NLT ---- ' there should be some equality,' Look around you. Ok, look further. Look to a neighbouring country. Actually, look a bit further. Paul, the apostle, wanted the Corinthians to look across the sea and consider the needs of the Christians in Jerusalem. Paul, was asking them to bring a little equality to the life of others who lived far away. Are you ignoring the needs of others? Are you unconcerned about a bit of financial equality in the world wide family of God? Paul says you don't have to make life miserable for yourself, ' I don’t mean your giving should make life easy for others and hard for yourselves....' But have you really considered the hardship of your Christian family around the world? Do have any compassion? Especially now, think of the needs in the church around the world. And don't forget the Christians in need around the corner either.

no longer counting people's sins against them.

2 Corinthians 5:19-21 NLT For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people's sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ's ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, "Come back to God!" For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. --- You are a sinner. Sin builds up a debt. But you can only pay with your life. Death is the penalty for sin. Talk about consecutive life sentences, talk about death row or the chair, you've racked up that in spades. See God made you and he placed inside you a moral compass. It isn't going to set you free but this moral compass has at least shown you how far off track you've gone. Thing is you can even mess the moral compass up. Your navigational systems can become corrupted and give false readings. But you've lied. You've ignored God. You've thought more highly of yourself and sat in judgement on God. I'm sure you've thought if you were God you'd not have let this or that happen, because of course you know better than God. See sin is insidious. Sin creeps in like a tsunami and completely takes over our mind and heart. We need help. Jesus to the rescue. Because of Jesus God is not counting people's sin against them. This is more than a presidential pardon, this is God saying, sin what sin, my Son took care of that. Come on over for supper. It's a big shindig, oh you got nothing to wear, no worries, wear this from Jesus' closet. Oh and you stink after wallowing in all that smelly sin, don't worry I'll have Jesus wash you up better than new. Oh and that debt you owed me, Jesus paid that. Oh and the fact you wanted to kill Jesus and thought he got it all wrong, we've forgot that too. And by the way, we, Jesus and HS and I are sharing everything we've got with you. Welcome to the family! Now that is good news. Tell someone what Jesus had done for you. I've heard it said being a Christian is like one begger telling another begger where he got the bread.

Things that made me think of Reg Tubby.

Rock

The Times, Tuesday May 1St 2012

no heroes, no trophies, a year on