God's Voice, God's Peace

PM#0453
God’s Voice, God’s Peace

One day goes well, the next does not. Life seems to be full of ups and downs but could it possibly be just our emotions swinging wild?

Just maybe we should ask the question, what is it that we are doing? Are we striving for a good cause, but -- Running ahead of God? What do we really want? Do we want—recognition—of self accomplishment or God’s voice saying ‘well done’—and His peace?

I know many say they want God’s voice, but something tells me that they really want that self-esteem build up. That may work for a while, but in time it too will leave, leaving emptiness.

In life’s struggles, we should seek the Lord, and consider this prayer as we start the day:

Father, help me to seek your help in all that I do. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

First Thoughts

PM#0452 First Thoughts
I Cor 15 vs 31

What are your first thoughts when you wake up? Do you have a heavy heart and need to speak something, that you think will help, but in reality by speaking it, it is really getting that thought out of your system?

First thoughts in the morning are often private thoughts that we do not share even with those very close to us. We want our ‘coffee’ first.

First thoughts often reveal issues that are in our heart that we have not turned over to the Lord. Maybe this is one thing the Apostle Paul may have meant when said I die daily to self. See I Cor 15 vs 31.

Perhaps all of us need to daily die to self in the morning and ask God for help to encourage those around us to focus on Him throughout the day.

Consider this prayer on awakening: Father, help me to focus on You and encourage others today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Reactions, is God’s Word in Our Hearts?

PM#00447
Ps 119:11

There are times we react often with a judgmental reaction and comments. We want issues to belong to the other party and not ourselves.

Often those reactions are emotional reactions. And to carry it further, emotions often reflect judgments. Good issues bring good pleasant emotions. Bad issues bring reactionary judgment. Both men and women reaction in one way or another.

Reactions founded on God’s principles of helping someone are not against His will and word. Those not based on God’s word may lead us away from God. That leads to the question: ‘What should we do?

We need to get to know God’s word and pray, asking God to be involved with us daily. Consider this prayer: ‘Father help me to study your word and hide it in my heart that my reaction to issues would be from the word. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. (see Ps 119:11)

PM#0444 Are We Blessing Others? Heb 3 vs 13

PM#0444
Are We Blessing Others?
Heb 3 vs 13

The Bible encourages us to encourage each other daily. See Heb 3:13. But are we doing this?

Many of us would have to say we are so busy with the daily affairs of life taking care of ourself, that we forget about helping others. Yes we know that we should bless those who wrong us, but what about those around us. They may not have done us wrong, but are we extending them any blessing or encouragement? If we are tied up in the daily hustle and bustle of life, probably we are not.

When someone gives you encouragement, doesn’t that help you? I know from my job, many years after I had given encouragement to two people, that I learn how it had helped them do a better job. I only wish I had given more encouragement to others.

Think about how encouragement has helped you and consider this prayer: Father, help me to be one who finds a way to encourage others everyday. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

PM#0439 Are we listening to others?

Matthew 15:18 -- But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart.

When a person speaks, did you know that what they say comes from their heart and may be important to them?

According to Matthew 15:18 that is true. Perhaps we should examine our response to them. Does our response show that we care or is it of indifference?

If our faith is truly in Christ then we should look for ways to encourage other people. Hebrews 3:13 says "encourage one another daily".

Let's be truthful. How many of us have focused on our own personal issues that we fail to listen to others? I believe that may happen all too often.

Perhaps we should turn to prayer and ask God's help in adjusting our focus to be able to encourage other people.

Father, help us to learn to encourage others and to listen to them, In Jesus, Name. Amen.

PM#0384 A Relationship with the Lord James 4:8

Have you every realized the importance of your spouse having a close relationship with the Lord?

Most of us know that all who call themselves Christians should have a relationship with Jesus, but do not realize how close it can be and what that closeness can do for our spouse. As we draw closer to the Lord, He draws closer to us. James 4:8. When that happens, we experience a fresh outlook on what love really should be. That love is a love that reflects God’s love. It is a love that gives us purpose.

I for one want that for my spouse, and it can be a reality if we continually ask the Lord that our spouse will draw close to you. Perhaps we should consider a prayer like this:

Father, May our spouse’s relationship will grow so close to You, Lord, that their desires will be lifted into your purposes. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

PM#0385 Giving Thanksgiving to God Luke 17:12-27, Phil 4:6-7

Did you know that the Lord is looking for people who will give Him thanks?

In the Bible, we have the story of 10 men were healed of leprosy – a dreaded disease. Only one came back and said ‘Thank You’ to Jesus. The Bible records Jesus asking about the other men—where are they? This is found in Luke 17:12-27. God gave these men a blessing. When He gives a blessing, we should show our gratefulness to Him through being thankful.

Unfortunately, many of us are like the 9 who did not give thanks. With this mindset, it takes major adjustment to change, but I believe as we do, that thankfulness that we give to God will bring His peace and blessing. (Phil 4:6-7)

So why not ask the Lord in prayer to help you be even more thankful.

Reflection Questions:

Take a Minute and listen to the attached 'Prayer Minute', then take a moment and consider the following Reflection Questions:

How do you feel when you help someone, and no one thanks you?  Does that help you understand how Christ felt?

The following is provided to help us think--and some might want to also provide a response to its questions--those responses can encourage and help others:

What are some issues that keep us from being thankful?  Let’s consider how we respond to others.  Our responses to others may reflect why our heart is not thankful.   Did someone do something that was just “expected”?  Do we think they did something “out of a motive”? There may be other reasons for our not giving thanks.  Are they real reasons, or a judgment that actually keeps us from being thankful?  How do these responses reflect on our heart attitude, and ultimately whether we give thanks to God for what He has done for us?