Thursday, January 26, 2012

Seeking God’s Wisdom


PM#0481

Based on James 1 vs 5


Many of us face situations that demand an immediate response.  How do we respond?  Do we draw from our experience? Do we respond automatically—sometimes regretting how we responded or what we said?  Or have we learned to quickly ask the Lord for wisdom and then respond.

Responding from our experience, in some cases may work.  An automatic response may be troublesome.  Neither of these two responses really seek the Lord’s help.

Perhaps another way would be to very quickly ask the Lord for help and wisdom in guiding our response.  I look back, and wish I had had learned this years ago. 

Such a prayer is very simple, and invites God’s help.  Consider this prayer:  Father, I need Your wisdom in responding in this situation in front of me.  Thank you for your help.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.


Saturday, January 21, 2012

Are We Praying From the Heart?


PM#0480
Ps44:21, Ps 37:4

When you pray, are you praying from your heart?

Many may will say answer yes, but God is the one who really knows if you are.  Ps 44:21 says God knows the secrets of the heart. 

When it comes to prayer, those secrets can affect our prayers, and if we want to see answers to prayer, there is Biblical encouragement in PS 37 verse 4 which says ‘delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart’.  Delighting ourselves in the Lord includes obeying God’s word, meditating on it, and letting it get into our hearts.

What is in our heart can affect our prayers.  If we really delight in God’s word, we will pray from our heart, and we will see answers to what you can call ‘heart prayer’.

Consider this prayer:  ‘Father, help me to delight in your word, and may your word be in my heart.  Thank you for helping me.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.’

Thursday, January 12, 2012

The Hold Back PS 66:1

PM#0479
PS 66:18, Ps 139:23-24


Do you feel like you are being held back but do not know why? 

Have you desired to obtain a goal like a promotion, but nothing happens?  Most of us have experienced that at one time or another.  Sometimes it seems that our desire never seems to happen.  If that pattern continues, then we should ask the Lord, what is holding us back? 

God says in Ps 66 vs 18 says “If I regard iniquity (or sin) in my heart, The Lord will not hear.”  The Psalmist knew this, and asked the Lord to search his heart; to try him, and know his thoughts; And see if there be any wicked way in him. 

The Psalmist knew the value of letting the Lord show him what needed to be corrected.  Maybe we all should follow that example.

Consider this prayer:  Father I don’t want sin blocking your help.  Search my heart and reveal sin that I need to correct, like David did.  Thank you for your help.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Friday, January 6, 2012

Muddied Waters


PM#0478
Based on James 1:4    If any man lack wisdom let Him ask of God.

Have you ever felt the waters around you are muddied to the point where you do cannot see dangers like rocks or sand bars threatening to damage you ship?

Probably most of us have had that happen to us one time or another.  Those are times when we need to focus on Christ through His word.  There is much wisdom and guidance to be found in His word, which is written in the Bible.  Through studying the word and letting it help us develop a close personal relationship with Christ, we will find that He can guide us through those muddied waters, safely. 

Take time to talk with the Lord about your situation through prayer, and search the scriptures.  There is much wisdom and help in God’s Word.

Consider this prayer:  ‘Father, I need your help in this difficult situation.  The waters are muddied and I can’t see dangers ahead.  Please Guide me,  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.’