Listen to The Words and Speak Them Out Loud

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Somedays we know we need to pray but don’t have the words. Other days we have so many things to pray about, we don’t know where to start.

When this happens, take a moment to pause and remember: God loves you. He wants to hear from you. He hears you when you pray according to His will (1 John 5:14)

Use the simple & beautiful words Jesus shared with His disciples when they asked Him, “Lord, teach us how to pray.” (Luke 11:1)

Listen to the words as you speak them, and insert people’s names, or known needs, after the applicable verses:

Our Father, Who art in heaven, Hallowed be your Name. (You are worthy of praise! You are merciful, good & kind! Nothing is impossible for you!)

Your Kingdom come. Your will be done here on earth, As it is in heaven. (Father, I’m asking for Your will to be done in my life, in my spouse’s life, my children, parents, friends….speak out the name of whoever comes to mind)

Give us this day our daily bread. (Please supply what I need today, please bless and provide for ______ ((whoever comes to mind and what their needs may be)) )

And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us. (Father, forgive me of this specific sin or issue _____ and give me the grace I need to forgive other people, just as you freely forgive me 1 John 1:9 and Matthew 6:15 )

And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. (Please keep me from being overcome by the temptation to _____ Keep ____ my children, spouse, friends from evil. Protect us with your power) 1 Corinthians 10:13 and Hebrews 4:14-16

For Yours is the kingdom, The power, and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen.

On Fear and Anxiety

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Anxiety and fear have been rearing their unwelcome presence in my life again the past several months. I HATE it!

Rather than suffer silently I have been crying out to God and looking to His word in scripture for help.

There are some wonderful devotionals and study guides available though the UVerse Bible app. I’m currently enjoying “Getting Free from Fear & Anxiety“. I’m sharing an excerpt below, plus a link if anyone is interested in diving a little deeper.

Getting Free From Fear & Anxiety

https://www.bible.com/en/reading-plans/33548

Honesty is vital.

Has anyone ever asked how you were doing, and you said, “Good!” even though you were clearly not “good?”

Psalm 145:18 says, “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”

This Scripture says God will be near to those who call on Him in truth. It does not say He will only be near to those who call out to Him with the perfect, positive things to say. Sometimes, we are in so much pain that the only way to call out is in pain-filled truth. And God is okay with that. He knows what we are thinking, and He still loves us immensely.

Our beautiful Jesus came in the flesh and experienced the pains of life. (Hebrews 4:15) He can empathize with our weaknesses, as well as our temptations.

God is not afraid of our questions, doubts, anger or fear. He knows us better than we know ourselves, and He wants us to be honest with Him so he can heal and help us!

God does not want us to be robots. Yes, His heart is for us to grow and become more like Him, but He is not withholding His love and attention while we are in process. (Psalm 103:8) He loves us deeply. It is His kindness that leads us to repentance and change. (Romans 2:4)

Challenge

Be vulnerable and honest with God; He is a good Father! He meets us right where we are, with love and understanding. I want to challenge you to get real with the Lord about your fears and anxiety. He knows where they are coming from. He knows what you are going through and loves you the same. He longs for an intimate relationship with you.

Prayer

Father, I am so glad I don’t have to try to deal with fear on my own. You are on my side. Hebrews 4:16 tells me I can run to the throne of grace. You are my help.

* Bring your fears, cares, and anxiety to Him. Pour out your heart to Him. He loves you more than you can comprehend.

God’s Weather Report

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Hurricanes, floods, drought and wildfires are happening with greater frequency. But God has His own weather report:

Isaiah 43:1-4 New Living Translation

“O Israel (Christian, believer, child of God), the one who formed you says,
“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
    I have called you by name; you are mine.
 When you go through deep waters,
    I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
    you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
    you will not be burned up;
    the flames will not consume you.
3 For I am the Lord, your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
….
4 Others* were given in exchange for you.
    I traded their lives* for yours
because you are precious to me.
    You are honored, and I love you.“

Isaiah declared this beautiful passage, this message from God, to Israel, when the majority of the population had gone into captivity in Babylon.

For believers today, this is a word of hope, a word of encouragement and a promise from the Lord.

The One who was given in exchange for us is *Jesus.

The One whose life was traded for ours is *Christ.

Never let despair or fear hold you down. Remind yourself of the words and allow them to strengthen your faith: You are honored, loved and precious to God.

Blessings

Nolan Creek at flood level in Belton, TX 2015

Focus on Today

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August 25, 2022

SMALL STRAWS by MARSHA BURNS

Refuse to worry about what might be tomorrow, next week, next year, or next decade. You have today to do your best to be the person you are destined to be. It is enough to take care of your responsibilities and challenges as they come. You do not know what lies ahead for you, but you can strive to be the best version of yourself here and now. 

Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.