Do Our Prayers Matter?by Max Lucado “If you can do anything for him, please have pity on us and help us.” This prayer in Mark 9:22 doesn’t sound courageous or confident. It was the prayer of a desperate parent with a demon-possessed son in need of a miracle.
Most of our prayer lives could use a tune-up. Some prayer lives lack consistency. Others need sincerity. And some honestly wonder if prayer makes a difference. We are tempted to wait to pray until we know how to pray.
Notice that Jesus responded to the man’s prayer. God is more moved by our hurt than our eloquence. Our prayers may be awkward. Our attempts may be feeble. But since the power of prayer is in the one who hears it and not the one who says it, our prayers do make a difference.
The Holy Spirit: An Absolute
Luke 24:36-49
Salvation occurs when we trust Jesus as our Savior--He forgives us, transforms us, and sees us as righteous. In that moment, we are redeemed, and though we continue to struggle with sin, it is a defeated foe. Then as time goes on, our service, gifts, and love for Him should naturally become greater.
Unfortunately, a lot of Christians sit in church week after week, going through the motions yet lacking passion and failing to grow. How is such a thing possible? Tragically, many believers are unaware of the essential ministry of God's Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is a member of the Trinity and co-equal with God the Father and God the Son. The opening chapter of Scripture tells us that He existed before the formation of the earth and in fact participated in creation (Gen. 1:2, Gen. 1:26). Today, He has the critical role of helping and counseling all believers.
The Holy Spirit is a gift to every child of God. His presence within us isn't something we have to earn or acquire. Rather, it is a marvelous privilege--by indwelling our hearts, He can guide and strengthen, steering each believer away from danger and into truth (John 16:7-8). Scripture tells us that Jesus came so we could experience a full life (10:10). This is possible only when we listen to His Spirit and obey.
Are you experiencing the abundant life Jesus promised? He wasn't talking about happy circumstances but rather the joy and contentment possible through a relationship with Him. If you're lacking in this area, consider your understanding of the Holy Spirit, and pray to be in tune with His promptings.
The Unjust Steward
“And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.” (Luke 16:8)
This parable of the unjust steward has perplexed many Christians, for it seems to indicate that the Lord approved of dishonesty. “Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness” (v. 9) also seems to contradict verse 13, when He said, “Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
The apparent contradiction vanishes, however, when we realize Christ was not commending the dishonesty of the steward, but his acute business sense and concern for the future. Neither does the Lord approve of greed or covetousness, but He does exhort believers to be as prudent in investing their money for the eternal future as shrewd worldlings are in feathering their earthly nests. Sad to say, it is common experience that, by this measure, “the children of this world” do conduct their affairs “in this generation” far more shrewdly than “the children of light.” Even more sadly, the latter often even try to follow the example of the ungodly in “laying up for themselves treasures upon earth,” rather than “treasures in heaven” (see Matthew 6:19-20).
The Lord would exhort us, on the other hand, to use our money (“the mammon of unrighteousness”) to make true friends, “that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations” (Luke 16:9). The “unjust steward” was trying to insure his own earthly future, hoping to make temporal friends by bribing them with money that was not even his own.
How much wiser it is for us to use whatever money the Lord has entrusted to us to make true friends, helping to bring them to Christ and building them up in the faith. Then, when we “fail” from this life, we shall enjoy their fellowship and gratitude in the “everlasting habitations” of eternity. HMM
Why Did He Do It?by Max Lucado
Why did Jesus live on the earth as long as He did? To take on our sins is one thing; to experience death, yes, but to put up with long roads and long days? Why did He do it? Because He wants you to trust Him. Even His final act on earth was intended to win your trust.
Mark 15:22.says, “They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha where they offered Him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. And they crucified Him.” Why? Why did He endure all this suffering—all these feelings? Because He knew you’d be weary, disturbed, and angry. He knew you’d be grief-stricken, and hungry, that you’d face pain.
A pauper knows better than to beg from another pauper. He knows he needs someone who’s stronger than he is. Jesus’ message from the Cross is this: I am that Person. Trust Me.
Controlling Our Appetites
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
What words would you use to describe our society? Materialistic, sensual, impatient, indulgent, undisciplined--these are just a few. We're also a "have it now" culture. Satan specializes in presenting us with opportunities for instant gratification while promising us that indulging our appetites will bring us the satisfaction we seek.
Human appetites, in themselves, are not sinful. In fact, they're God-given. However, because of our fleshly weaknesses, they need to be controlled. When our appetites rule us, we're in trouble. Paul likened the Christian life to that of athletes who are so focused on winning the race that they exercise self-control in every area of their lives.
That's exactly how we're called to live, yet we lack the motivation, determination, and power to do so in our own strength. For this reason, we need to rely on the Holy Spirit within us. If we yield our lives to Him and step out in obedience to His promptings, we'll have the strength to say no when fleshly desires feel overpowering (Gal. 5:16).
Another key to success is keeping our focus on the eternal instead of the temporal. Many decisions that seem mundane are in fact spiritually significant. Are you indulging an appetite that could result in the sacrifice of an imperishable reward in heaven.
When the Enemy tempts us, he always tries to keep our attention on our desire and the pleasure of indulgence rather than on the eternal rewards and blessings we're forfeiting. Just remind yourself how quickly immediate gratification wanes and how long eternity lasts.
Glorious Holiness
“Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?” (Exodus 15:11)
Our finite minds would never grasp the idea of holiness if not for the revelation granted to us in the Scriptures. God’s “separateness” requires even the awesome four-faced, sixwinged Seraphim to “rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, LORD God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come” (Revelation 4:8).
Samuel’s gentle mother, praying before the tabernacle, was no doubt moved by the Spirit of God to proclaim, “There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee” (1 Samuel 2:2). Her short statement of faith is the core of holiness—the separate unique character that only the Creator of the universe can possess.
Those who have been “born again” (John 3:3) are called “saints” (Romans 1:7) when they were “created in righteousness and true holiness” (Ephesians 4:24). Our “holiness” is part of the “gift of God” from the One who is holy, “without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).
Because our Creator, Lord, and King is “righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works” (Psalm 145:17), it should come as no surprise that “as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:15-16).
The “great and precious promises” (2 Peter 1:4) given to us by our gracious Lord are the spiritual means by which we can “cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1). Our destiny is sure. Our duty is clear. “Yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, and my God shall be my strength” (Isaiah 49:5). HMM III
In Time of Trouble
“For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.” (Psalm 27:5)
In this psalm of praise, David expresses his confidence in the Lord, even though “the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh” (v. 2). In spite of the danger, he looks to God for safety. “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (v. 1). Why did God preserve David? The answer is at least twofold.
First, David had a heart for God. “One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple” (v. 4). “Thy face, LORD, will I seek” (v. 8). “Teach me thy way, O LORD” (v. 11).
The second reason is the nature of God Himself. God, by His very nature, hates evil and extends grace toward His own. He is pictured here as a warrior conquering the evil enemies of David. His laws forbid their actions; His gospel robbed these evildoers of their grip; His final kingdom will be rid of them. Until God’s justice, His gospel, and His purpose all fail, we can be sure that He will act.
In our text, David is hidden in the Lord’s “pavilion.” The word, which literally means a protective covering, was used for the tent of the commander-in-chief. Here, with the commander-in-chief, is the most fortified, guarded, and safe area of the battleground. If the pavilion falls, the battle is lost and God has failed. Hidden in His pavilion, we are as safe as He. He sees to it that we are not frightened (v. 13) amid the din of battle, and we shall share in the ultimate victory.
In this world, we have tumultuous war; in the next, unbroken peace. Assured of the outcome, we can “wait on the LORD: [and] be of good courage” (v. 14). JDM
Necessitites of Lifeby Max Lucado
QUESTION: In most of my prayers I ask God for things I need each day. These are legitimate needs. (I’m not asking God to make me a millionaire, just to help me pay the mortgage.) Is God really concerned about the necessities of my life?
“Give us each day our daily bread” (Luke 11:3).
What is this daily bread Jesus spoke of, tucked inside the Lord’s Prayer? A loaf of warm Italian bread on my doorstep every morning? That would be nice.
Bread is a staple of every culture. From flat bread to yeast-filled loaves, grain has been mixed with water and oil and placed over a fire by every civilization. What’s the first thing a restaurant brings before the meal? Bread. (Okay, maybe Mexican restaurants don’t, but those chips are made from grain. They’re just fried in oil.)
But how about a slight change to the daily menu: “Give us this day our daily mocha chocolate chip ice cream” or “Give us this day our daily beluga whale caviar”?
Those are luxuries, not necessities. Sorry, God does not promise those.
Bread is a valued necessity, tasty and welcomed, but certainly not extravagant.
Jesus tells us to ask for the necessities in life, but does he promise to provide them?
Soon after this plea for daily bread, found also in Matthew 6, Jesus presents his famous “Don’t worry” passage: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?” (v. 25). God takes care of birds, flowers, and grass and provides the basics they need to exist (vv. 26–30). Why not us? Aren’t we more important than a barn swallow, a multiflora petunia, and a blade of Bahia grass?
The Lure of Momentary Pleasure
Genesis 25:29-34
You probably read the story of Jacob and Esau today and thought, I can't believe Esau sold his birthright for a bowl of soup. How foolish! But let's think beyond birthrights and soup. Is there anything of true value that you are trading for something of lesser worth? In other words, what is your "bowl of soup"?
Have you pursued wealth and a career at the expense of family? Maybe your busy schedule has kept you from spending time with God in His Word each day. Some people become involved in extramarital affairs, trading the well-being of their family for the satisfaction of lustful desires. Others sacrifice their health by consuming harmful or addictive substances, or even by overindulging in food. The list of ways we make foolish, shortsighted choices is endless.
Some of the decisions we make today could rob us of the blessings God wants to give us. When you yield to temptation in a moment of weakness, you're actually sacrificing your future for momentary pleasure. We can't afford to live thoughtlessly, basing our decisions on immediate desires or feelings. Since the principle of sowing and reaping cannot be reversed, we need to carefully consider what we are planting. The harvest will come, and we'll reap what we have sown--and more than we've sown.
Are you contemplating anything that could have serious long-term ramifications if you yield to the yearning? A wise person evaluates choices by looking ahead to see what negative consequences could follow a course of action. Don't let "a bowl of soup" hinder God's wonderful plans for you.
Love and Discernment - by Greg Laurie -
The Other Side of Love - by Greg Laurie -
�And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.� (Luke 4:5)
It is interesting that there are just three �moments� mentioned in the New Testament and that there are three different Greek words so translated, each used one time only in the Bible. Furthermore, each of these three �moments� is used in a context that is anticipatory of the future.
First of all, Satan tempted Jesus by flashing before His eyes a vision of the whole world, offering it to Him immediately without His having to endure the cross, if He would rule it for the devil. Here the Greek word for �moment� is stigme, meaning a �point,� like a period after a sentence. In an infinite �timeline,� it would be just a dot on the line, a �point� in time. Satan�s apparent dominion over this world, though it lasts six thousand years or so, is only a moment compared to eternity, and Jesus knew this was a poor bargain.
One day, in fact, He will return to reclaim the world from Satan. At that great day, �we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye� (1 Corinthians 15:51-52). In this passage, the unique word is atomos, meaning an indivisible particle. That is, in an �atom of time,� too instantaneous to measure, we shall be changed to be like Him in �his glorious body� (Philippians 3:21).
Right now, however, our bodies are weak and easily beset with pain and sickness. Nevertheless, we are assured that �our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory� (2 Corinthians 4:17). The word here is parautika, referring specifically to the present moment. What we must endure �here and now� is so brief compared to the eternity �then and there� that it is not even �worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us� (Romans 8:18). HMM
Grace Comes After Youby Max Lucado
God�s grace! It has a wildness about it. A white-water, rip-tide, turn-you-upside-downess about it. Grace comes after you!
Some years ago I underwent a heart procedure. I asked the surgeon,
�You�re burning the interior of my heart, right?�
�Correct.�
�You intend to kill the misbehaving cells, yes?�
�That�s my plan.�
�As long as you�re in there, could you take your little blowtorch to some of my greed, selfishness, superiority, and guilt?�
He smiled, �Sorry, that�s out of my pay grade!�
Acquiring Wisdom
Proverbs 4:20-27
The most obvious source of godly wisdom is the Bible. You cannot think of a question or life circumstance about which God�s Word is silent. His principles for right character, conduct, and conversation apply to every situation and decision confronting human beings.
We�re all able to recall times when we didn�t respond wisely. Those incidents can be traced back to one of two possibilities�either we didn�t know a certain biblical principle or we knew the principle that applied but chose to ignore or violate it. To ensure that we� are familiar with God�s standards and the importance of following them, we�ve got to dig into His Word.
For example, suppose that you walk into the office and a coworker verbally assaults you with undeserved blame for a costly mistake. Your flesh and the world would have you respond in kind with anger and malice. But Luke 6:27-29 offers a different approach, that might go something like this: �Is there anything else? Thank you for telling me how you feel� (spoken gently).
Knowledge comes from learning biblical principles; wisdom has to do with applying them. The Lord cautions us to keep His Word in our heart and in our heads so that we will heed His instructions (Ps. 119:11; Prov. 8:33).
Wisdom is acquired as we pursue the Christian life�absorbing Scripture, doing what it says, and observing the result, which is for our good even when consequences appear less than favorable. Special classes aren�t required; God simply wants obedient hearts and a willing spirit.
The Indwelling Trinity
�To know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.� (Ephesians 3:19)
One of the great doctrines of Christianity is the doctrine of the indwelling Holy Spirit of God, who lives in the heart of each believer who trusts in Christ for salvation. �Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God?� (1 Corinthians 6:19).
At the same time, God is one God, so all three persons of the Godhead must, through the Spirit, likewise indwell the believer. Note Paul�s prayer for the believers in the Ephesian church (Ephesians 3:14-19).
�That he would grant you�to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man� (Ephesians 3:16). This request acknowledges the indwelling Spirit. Christ also prayed for this: �And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter�the Spirit of truth�for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you� (John 14:16-17).
�That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith� (Ephesians 3:17), that we might �know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge� (v. 19). Here is the indwelling Son. This is also revealed in Galatians 2:20 (�Christ liveth in me�) and Colossians 1:27 (�Christ in you, the hope of glory�).
�That ye might be filled with all the fulness of God� (Ephesians 3:19). This can only refer to the indwelling Father, as well as the entire tri-unity of the Godhead. Can this indwelling be ours? Note also that the entire prayer was addressed in the first place to �the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ� (Ephesians 3:14). This, likewise, is a reflection of Christ�s promise: �If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him� (John 14:23). �Filled with all the fulness of God!� What a wonderful privilege�and responsibility�is ours. HMM
Jesus Takes Away the Sinby Max Lucado
Some people feel so saved they never serve. Some serve at the hope of being saved. Does one of these sentences describe you? Do you feel so saved that you never serve? So content in what God has done that you do nothing? The fact is, we�re here to glorify God in our service.
Or is your tendency the opposite? Perhaps you always serve for fear of not being saved. You�re worried there is a secret card that exists with your score written on it; and your score is not enough. Is that you? If so, know this: The blood of Jesus is enough to save you. John 1:29 announces that Jesus is �the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.�
The blood of Christ doesn�t cover your sins, conceal your sins, postpone or diminish your sins. It takes away your sins, once and for all! So�since you are saved, you can serve!
Expressions of Praise
Psalms 34:1-3
Glorifying the Lord is not limited to worshipping in church. In fact, praise ought to permeate the believer�s life.
One obvious way that we praise the Lord is with our voice. We can either speak or sing our worship. Psalm writers put adoration into words and set their love to music. True worship also flows from the mouths of believers who are focused upon God�s attributes. They desire to honor Him because of who He is, what He has done, and what He has promised for the future.
Genuine worship allows the Lord to fill our hearts and minds with His presence. But praising the Lord with wrong motives is an empty act. For example, if we�re lifting our hands and singing loud only because doing so feels good, then what we�re after is an emotional high. That kind of selfish �praise� falls far short of heaven.
Our God is praised when we serve Him. People are created for the purpose of bringing glory and honor to His name. Therefore, nothing should limit our willingness to work for the King, particularly when we have a chance to share Him with others. Christ is honored when His followers speak boldly about His grace and His work�believers� testimonies are an amazing form of praise that magnifies God�s name.
Jesus Christ is worth more than any treasure this world offers. Loving Him and understanding what He�s done for you should be all the motivation you need to praise Him with your life. Don�t just sing; serve His kingdom and share the gospel. Help to make God�s throne room ring with worship.
Time Waster - Pastor David McGee -
�And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.� (Acts 1:19)
Never was a tract of land more fittingly named than Aceldama, an Aramaic word meaning �field of blood,� for it had been purchased with blood money, �the price of blood� (Matthew 27:6). The purchaser had been Judas (through the �executors� of his estate, as it were, following his suicide), but the blood he sold, to acquire the price of the field, he had deemed �innocent blood.�
The miserable 30 shekels of silver that consummated this transaction was the price of a slave in ancient Israel (Exodus 21:32), but this slave was none other than God incarnate, so the 30 pieces of silver�the price set by the religious leaders of Israel�was the price for the sale of God.
The prophet Zechariah, more than 500 years before, had acted out a prophecy of these strange events: �So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver�a goodly price that I was prised at of them� (Zechariah 11:12-13). Next, according to both prophecy and fulfillment, this blood money was cast down in the temple and then used to buy the potter�s field (Zechariah 11:13; Matthew 27:5, 7-8).
These and many other such details in these accounts constitute a remarkable type and fulfillment of prophecy, and thus a testimony of both divine inspiration and divine foreordination. But, more than that, it is a striking picture of the price of our salvation, for the �field of blood� typifies that great field is the world (Matthew 13:38) and Christ is the man who, searching for �treasure hid in a field�selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field� (Matthew 13:44). All that He had�the very blood of His life�was willingly shed that we, dead in sins and hidden in the world, might be �purchased with his own blood� (Acts 20:28). HMM
Succeed at Home Firstby Max Lucado
Quiet heroes dot the landscape of our society. They don�t make the headlines, but they do sew the hemlines and check the outlines and stand on the sidelines. You won�t find their names on the Nobel Prize short list, but you�ll find their names on the carpool, and Bible teacher lists. They are parents! Heroes! Their kids call them mom. Dad. And these moms and dads, more valuable than all the executives and lawmakers, quietly hold the world together.
Be numbered among them. Read books to your kids. Play ball while you can and they want you to. Make it your aim to watch every game they play, read every story they write, hear every recital in which they perform. Children spell love with four letters: T-I-M-E. Not just quality time, but hang time, downtime, anytime, all the time! Cherish the children who share your name. Succeed at home first!
Seeking Guidance
Psalms 25:4-5
When you're facing a decision, whether big or small, it is important to wait upon God for His direction and timing. And though it may sound paradoxical, there are three ways that we can take an active role in the process while we wait.
First, we should examine our heart, asking the Holy Spirit to expose any wrongs. If He brings something to light, it is important to take care of that sin immediately--by confessing, repenting, and doing whatever's needed to correct the situation. At times we push this task aside because the impending decision seems like our main concern. Yet we cannot hear from God or receive His full blessing until we deal with transgression.
Second, when seeking direction, we should listen patiently and attentively for the Lord to give the go-ahead. It can be difficult to wait, especially when emotions or logic lead us to favor one choice.
Third, the answer to our prayer at times requires our involvement. For instance, when people tell me they're out of work and trusting God to provide, I always want to know if they are actively looking for a job. Some are not; they are simply praying. We have responsibility not only to present God with requests and seek His guidance but also to be active in the process. Waiting on God is not an excuse to be lazy.
Prayer is a beautiful privilege that the heavenly Father gives to His children. He desires to lead us into a life of abundance. We should take an active part in seeking His will and listening for His voice. As we follow the Holy Spirit's guidance, we will experience all that the Lord has for us.
Most of our prayer lives could use a tune-up. Some prayer lives lack consistency. Others need sincerity. And some honestly wonder if prayer makes a difference. We are tempted to wait to pray until we know how to pray.
Notice that Jesus responded to the man’s prayer. God is more moved by our hurt than our eloquence. Our prayers may be awkward. Our attempts may be feeble. But since the power of prayer is in the one who hears it and not the one who says it, our prayers do make a difference.
The Holy Spirit: An Absolute
Luke 24:36-49
Salvation occurs when we trust Jesus as our Savior--He forgives us, transforms us, and sees us as righteous. In that moment, we are redeemed, and though we continue to struggle with sin, it is a defeated foe. Then as time goes on, our service, gifts, and love for Him should naturally become greater.
Unfortunately, a lot of Christians sit in church week after week, going through the motions yet lacking passion and failing to grow. How is such a thing possible? Tragically, many believers are unaware of the essential ministry of God's Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is a gift to every child of God. His presence within us isn't something we have to earn or acquire. Rather, it is a marvelous privilege--by indwelling our hearts, He can guide and strengthen, steering each believer away from danger and into truth (John 16:7-8). Scripture tells us that Jesus came so we could experience a full life (10:10). This is possible only when we listen to His Spirit and obey.
Are you experiencing the abundant life Jesus promised? He wasn't talking about happy circumstances but rather the joy and contentment possible through a relationship with Him. If you're lacking in this area, consider your understanding of the Holy Spirit, and pray to be in tune with His promptings.
The Unjust Steward
“And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.” (Luke 16:8)
This parable of the unjust steward has perplexed many Christians, for it seems to indicate that the Lord approved of dishonesty. “Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness” (v. 9) also seems to contradict verse 13, when He said, “Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
The apparent contradiction vanishes, however, when we realize Christ was not commending the dishonesty of the steward, but his acute business sense and concern for the future. Neither does the Lord approve of greed or covetousness, but He does exhort believers to be as prudent in investing their money for the eternal future as shrewd worldlings are in feathering their earthly nests. Sad to say, it is common experience that, by this measure, “the children of this world” do conduct their affairs “in this generation” far more shrewdly than “the children of light.” Even more sadly, the latter often even try to follow the example of the ungodly in “laying up for themselves treasures upon earth,” rather than “treasures in heaven” (see Matthew 6:19-20).
The Lord would exhort us, on the other hand, to use our money (“the mammon of unrighteousness”) to make true friends, “that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations” (Luke 16:9). The “unjust steward” was trying to insure his own earthly future, hoping to make temporal friends by bribing them with money that was not even his own.
How much wiser it is for us to use whatever money the Lord has entrusted to us to make true friends, helping to bring them to Christ and building them up in the faith. Then, when we “fail” from this life, we shall enjoy their fellowship and gratitude in the “everlasting habitations” of eternity. HMM
Why Did He Do It?by Max Lucado
Why did Jesus live on the earth as long as He did? To take on our sins is one thing; to experience death, yes, but to put up with long roads and long days? Why did He do it? Because He wants you to trust Him. Even His final act on earth was intended to win your trust.
Mark 15:22.says, “They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha where they offered Him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. And they crucified Him.” Why? Why did He endure all this suffering—all these feelings? Because He knew you’d be weary, disturbed, and angry. He knew you’d be grief-stricken, and hungry, that you’d face pain.
A pauper knows better than to beg from another pauper. He knows he needs someone who’s stronger than he is. Jesus’ message from the Cross is this: I am that Person. Trust Me.
Controlling Our Appetites
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
What words would you use to describe our society? Materialistic, sensual, impatient, indulgent, undisciplined--these are just a few. We're also a "have it now" culture. Satan specializes in presenting us with opportunities for instant gratification while promising us that indulging our appetites will bring us the satisfaction we seek.
Human appetites, in themselves, are not sinful. In fact, they're God-given. However, because of our fleshly weaknesses, they need to be controlled. When our appetites rule us, we're in trouble. Paul likened the Christian life to that of athletes who are so focused on winning the race that they exercise self-control in every area of their lives.
Another key to success is keeping our focus on the eternal instead of the temporal. Many decisions that seem mundane are in fact spiritually significant. Are you indulging an appetite that could result in the sacrifice of an imperishable reward in heaven.
When the Enemy tempts us, he always tries to keep our attention on our desire and the pleasure of indulgence rather than on the eternal rewards and blessings we're forfeiting. Just remind yourself how quickly immediate gratification wanes and how long eternity lasts.
Glorious Holiness
“Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?” (Exodus 15:11)
Our finite minds would never grasp the idea of holiness if not for the revelation granted to us in the Scriptures. God’s “separateness” requires even the awesome four-faced, sixwinged Seraphim to “rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, LORD God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come” (Revelation 4:8).
Samuel’s gentle mother, praying before the tabernacle, was no doubt moved by the Spirit of God to proclaim, “There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee” (1 Samuel 2:2). Her short statement of faith is the core of holiness—the separate unique character that only the Creator of the universe can possess.
Those who have been “born again” (John 3:3) are called “saints” (Romans 1:7) when they were “created in righteousness and true holiness” (Ephesians 4:24). Our “holiness” is part of the “gift of God” from the One who is holy, “without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).
Because our Creator, Lord, and King is “righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works” (Psalm 145:17), it should come as no surprise that “as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:15-16).
The “great and precious promises” (2 Peter 1:4) given to us by our gracious Lord are the spiritual means by which we can “cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1). Our destiny is sure. Our duty is clear. “Yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, and my God shall be my strength” (Isaiah 49:5). HMM III
| God Wants Your List by Max Lucado God not only wants the mistakes we have made—He wants the ones we are making. Are you drinking too much? Are you cheating at work or cheating at marriage? Mismanaging your life? Don’t pretend nothing’s wrong. The first step after a stumble must be in the direction of the cross. 1 John 1:9 promises, “If we confess our sins to God, He can always be trusted to forgive us and take our sins away.” Start with your bad moments. And while you’re there, give God your “mad” moments. There’s a story about a man bitten by a dog. When he learned the dog had rabies, he began a list. The doctor said, “there’s no need to make a will—you’ll be fine.” “Oh I’m not making a will,” he said, “I’m making a list of all the people I want to bite!” God wants your list! He wants you to leave it at the cross. From He Chose the Nails |
“For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.” (Psalm 27:5)
In this psalm of praise, David expresses his confidence in the Lord, even though “the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh” (v. 2). In spite of the danger, he looks to God for safety. “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (v. 1). Why did God preserve David? The answer is at least twofold.
First, David had a heart for God. “One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple” (v. 4). “Thy face, LORD, will I seek” (v. 8). “Teach me thy way, O LORD” (v. 11).
The second reason is the nature of God Himself. God, by His very nature, hates evil and extends grace toward His own. He is pictured here as a warrior conquering the evil enemies of David. His laws forbid their actions; His gospel robbed these evildoers of their grip; His final kingdom will be rid of them. Until God’s justice, His gospel, and His purpose all fail, we can be sure that He will act.
In our text, David is hidden in the Lord’s “pavilion.” The word, which literally means a protective covering, was used for the tent of the commander-in-chief. Here, with the commander-in-chief, is the most fortified, guarded, and safe area of the battleground. If the pavilion falls, the battle is lost and God has failed. Hidden in His pavilion, we are as safe as He. He sees to it that we are not frightened (v. 13) amid the din of battle, and we shall share in the ultimate victory.
In this world, we have tumultuous war; in the next, unbroken peace. Assured of the outcome, we can “wait on the LORD: [and] be of good courage” (v. 14). JDM
Necessitites of Lifeby Max Lucado
QUESTION: In most of my prayers I ask God for things I need each day. These are legitimate needs. (I’m not asking God to make me a millionaire, just to help me pay the mortgage.) Is God really concerned about the necessities of my life?
“Give us each day our daily bread” (Luke 11:3).
What is this daily bread Jesus spoke of, tucked inside the Lord’s Prayer? A loaf of warm Italian bread on my doorstep every morning? That would be nice.
Bread is a staple of every culture. From flat bread to yeast-filled loaves, grain has been mixed with water and oil and placed over a fire by every civilization. What’s the first thing a restaurant brings before the meal? Bread. (Okay, maybe Mexican restaurants don’t, but those chips are made from grain. They’re just fried in oil.)
But how about a slight change to the daily menu: “Give us this day our daily mocha chocolate chip ice cream” or “Give us this day our daily beluga whale caviar”?
Those are luxuries, not necessities. Sorry, God does not promise those.
Bread is a valued necessity, tasty and welcomed, but certainly not extravagant.
Jesus tells us to ask for the necessities in life, but does he promise to provide them?
Soon after this plea for daily bread, found also in Matthew 6, Jesus presents his famous “Don’t worry” passage: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?” (v. 25). God takes care of birds, flowers, and grass and provides the basics they need to exist (vv. 26–30). Why not us? Aren’t we more important than a barn swallow, a multiflora petunia, and a blade of Bahia grass?
The Lure of Momentary Pleasure
Genesis 25:29-34
You probably read the story of Jacob and Esau today and thought, I can't believe Esau sold his birthright for a bowl of soup. How foolish! But let's think beyond birthrights and soup. Is there anything of true value that you are trading for something of lesser worth? In other words, what is your "bowl of soup"?
Have you pursued wealth and a career at the expense of family? Maybe your busy schedule has kept you from spending time with God in His Word each day. Some people become involved in extramarital affairs, trading the well-being of their family for the satisfaction of lustful desires. Others sacrifice their health by consuming harmful or addictive substances, or even by overindulging in food. The list of ways we make foolish, shortsighted choices is endless.
Are you contemplating anything that could have serious long-term ramifications if you yield to the yearning? A wise person evaluates choices by looking ahead to see what negative consequences could follow a course of action. Don't let "a bowl of soup" hinder God's wonderful plans for you.
Love and Discernment - by Greg Laurie -
And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment. -Philippians 1:9
Have you ever wondered what to pray when you pray for other Christians? Paul actually gives us the answer in Philippians 1:9-11:
And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. (NKJV)
Interestingly, Paul is praying they would grow in both love and discernment. Sometimes it seems as though love and discernment are mutually exclusive. In other words, some people seem to be very discerning but not very loving. And some can be very loving but not very discerning.
People who say they have a discernment ministry are essentially saying they like to argue and be obnoxious. They challenge everything. And I've found that some of these people are downright mean.
On the other hand, some Christians are loving but not discerning. They simply accept everything and everyone, regardless of what they believe. But what they believe actually does matter. There's a place for discernment.
Paul prayed for the believers in Philippi to grow in love. Love is a mark of a true Christian. You can't love Jesus and not love the church. You can't love God if you're not willing to love your brother or sister in Christ.
In fact, Jesus said, "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35 NKJV). Don't wait for the emotion. Just take a little step. Make that benevolent gesture. Offer that kind word. Start doing loving things, and your love will grow.
A mark of real faith is that you love your Christian brothers and sisters.
You who love the Lord, hate evil! He protects the lives of his godly people and rescues them from the power of the wicked. -Psalm 97:10
We might think that love and hate cannot coexist. But hatred of evil is the other side of love. If I love what God loves, then I will hate what God hates. Psalm 97:10 says, "You who love the Lord, hate evil! He protects the lives of his godly people and rescues them from the power of the wicked" (NLT).
And when the apostle Paul wrote in Romans 12:9, "Hate what is wrong" (NLT), the term he used for hate could be translated "be horrified."
I'm concerned that evil doesn't horrify us anymore. We see certain things and say, "Well, what can you do?" And we become somewhat tolerant of it.
I think God's words to His people through the prophet Jeremiah are true of us today: "They don't even know how to blush!" (Jeremiah 6:15 NLT).
Not only should we hate evil, but we should also go to great lengths to avoid even the very appearance of evil.
If we really love God and love others, then we will hate evil and adhere to what is good. This conveys the idea of holding on willingly. It isn't reactive but proactive. We choose to do it.
It's a little like climbing the face of a cliff. You're holding on; you're clinging to it. We should cling to what is good in the same way. We hold on to it, but at the same time we hate what is evil.
Thomas Chalmers, a 19th-century Scottish minister, called this "the expulsive power of a new affection." The idea is that if we love God more than anyone or anything else, that new affection overpowers our former affection for things that were destructive to us.
Let's stay away from evil influences and embrace what will strengthen us.
In a Moment of Time�And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.� (Luke 4:5)
It is interesting that there are just three �moments� mentioned in the New Testament and that there are three different Greek words so translated, each used one time only in the Bible. Furthermore, each of these three �moments� is used in a context that is anticipatory of the future.
First of all, Satan tempted Jesus by flashing before His eyes a vision of the whole world, offering it to Him immediately without His having to endure the cross, if He would rule it for the devil. Here the Greek word for �moment� is stigme, meaning a �point,� like a period after a sentence. In an infinite �timeline,� it would be just a dot on the line, a �point� in time. Satan�s apparent dominion over this world, though it lasts six thousand years or so, is only a moment compared to eternity, and Jesus knew this was a poor bargain.
One day, in fact, He will return to reclaim the world from Satan. At that great day, �we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye� (1 Corinthians 15:51-52). In this passage, the unique word is atomos, meaning an indivisible particle. That is, in an �atom of time,� too instantaneous to measure, we shall be changed to be like Him in �his glorious body� (Philippians 3:21).
Right now, however, our bodies are weak and easily beset with pain and sickness. Nevertheless, we are assured that �our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory� (2 Corinthians 4:17). The word here is parautika, referring specifically to the present moment. What we must endure �here and now� is so brief compared to the eternity �then and there� that it is not even �worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us� (Romans 8:18). HMM
Grace Comes After Youby Max Lucado
God�s grace! It has a wildness about it. A white-water, rip-tide, turn-you-upside-downess about it. Grace comes after you!
Some years ago I underwent a heart procedure. I asked the surgeon,
�You�re burning the interior of my heart, right?�
�Correct.�
�You intend to kill the misbehaving cells, yes?�
�That�s my plan.�
�As long as you�re in there, could you take your little blowtorch to some of my greed, selfishness, superiority, and guilt?�
He smiled, �Sorry, that�s out of my pay grade!�
Acquiring Wisdom
Proverbs 4:20-27
The most obvious source of godly wisdom is the Bible. You cannot think of a question or life circumstance about which God�s Word is silent. His principles for right character, conduct, and conversation apply to every situation and decision confronting human beings.
We�re all able to recall times when we didn�t respond wisely. Those incidents can be traced back to one of two possibilities�either we didn�t know a certain biblical principle or we knew the principle that applied but chose to ignore or violate it. To ensure that we� are familiar with God�s standards and the importance of following them, we�ve got to dig into His Word.
Knowledge comes from learning biblical principles; wisdom has to do with applying them. The Lord cautions us to keep His Word in our heart and in our heads so that we will heed His instructions (Ps. 119:11; Prov. 8:33).
Wisdom is acquired as we pursue the Christian life�absorbing Scripture, doing what it says, and observing the result, which is for our good even when consequences appear less than favorable. Special classes aren�t required; God simply wants obedient hearts and a willing spirit.
The Indwelling Trinity
�To know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.� (Ephesians 3:19)
One of the great doctrines of Christianity is the doctrine of the indwelling Holy Spirit of God, who lives in the heart of each believer who trusts in Christ for salvation. �Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God?� (1 Corinthians 6:19).
At the same time, God is one God, so all three persons of the Godhead must, through the Spirit, likewise indwell the believer. Note Paul�s prayer for the believers in the Ephesian church (Ephesians 3:14-19).
�That he would grant you�to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man� (Ephesians 3:16). This request acknowledges the indwelling Spirit. Christ also prayed for this: �And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter�the Spirit of truth�for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you� (John 14:16-17).
�That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith� (Ephesians 3:17), that we might �know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge� (v. 19). Here is the indwelling Son. This is also revealed in Galatians 2:20 (�Christ liveth in me�) and Colossians 1:27 (�Christ in you, the hope of glory�).
�That ye might be filled with all the fulness of God� (Ephesians 3:19). This can only refer to the indwelling Father, as well as the entire tri-unity of the Godhead. Can this indwelling be ours? Note also that the entire prayer was addressed in the first place to �the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ� (Ephesians 3:14). This, likewise, is a reflection of Christ�s promise: �If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him� (John 14:23). �Filled with all the fulness of God!� What a wonderful privilege�and responsibility�is ours. HMM
| The Poetry of God �For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.� (Ephesians 2:10) The word �poem� is derived from the Greek poiema. Used only twice in the New Testament, it refers to two great works of God Himself. Thus, God is the divine poet who has created two great masterpieces�artistic creations of marvelous intricacy and surpassing beauty. The first is the entire physical universe: �For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse� (Romans 1:20). In this key verse, poiema is translated �things that are made.� Everything in the universe, animate and inanimate, constitutes a marvelous product of God�s creative forethought and inventive skill. If a beautiful poem requires a poet to create it, so much the more does the complex cosmic poem of the universe demand a great poet of consummate wisdom and infinite power. The rejection of the poet and the message of the poem not only leave one �without excuse� (v. 20), but facing �the wrath of God� (v. 18). Yet an even more amazing poem is the work of transforming redemption accomplished in a lost soul saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8). For then it is we, ourselves, who become His poem! This also is a great creative masterpiece, for �we are his workmanship [same word, Greek poiema], created in Christ Jesus unto good works.� A life once dead in sin, now born again and walking in good works�this is God�s greatest poetic masterpiece of all! Both the mighty universe and the soul made new in Christ are special creations of God, and both manifest His greatness and His love. �Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift� (2 Corinthians 9:15) of grace. HMM |
Some people feel so saved they never serve. Some serve at the hope of being saved. Does one of these sentences describe you? Do you feel so saved that you never serve? So content in what God has done that you do nothing? The fact is, we�re here to glorify God in our service.
Or is your tendency the opposite? Perhaps you always serve for fear of not being saved. You�re worried there is a secret card that exists with your score written on it; and your score is not enough. Is that you? If so, know this: The blood of Jesus is enough to save you. John 1:29 announces that Jesus is �the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.�
The blood of Christ doesn�t cover your sins, conceal your sins, postpone or diminish your sins. It takes away your sins, once and for all! So�since you are saved, you can serve!
Expressions of Praise
Psalms 34:1-3
Glorifying the Lord is not limited to worshipping in church. In fact, praise ought to permeate the believer�s life.
One obvious way that we praise the Lord is with our voice. We can either speak or sing our worship. Psalm writers put adoration into words and set their love to music. True worship also flows from the mouths of believers who are focused upon God�s attributes. They desire to honor Him because of who He is, what He has done, and what He has promised for the future.
Our God is praised when we serve Him. People are created for the purpose of bringing glory and honor to His name. Therefore, nothing should limit our willingness to work for the King, particularly when we have a chance to share Him with others. Christ is honored when His followers speak boldly about His grace and His work�believers� testimonies are an amazing form of praise that magnifies God�s name.
Jesus Christ is worth more than any treasure this world offers. Loving Him and understanding what He�s done for you should be all the motivation you need to praise Him with your life. Don�t just sing; serve His kingdom and share the gospel. Help to make God�s throne room ring with worship.
Time Waster - Pastor David McGee -
But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. -
One of the songs we love to sing in our fellowship is titled, "They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love". This song sums up how the world "should" view us as followers of Christ. Unfortunately, the world is more apt to recognize churches these days for their disagreements and backbiting, rather than their love.
Yes, as followers of Christ, we must stand up for the Truth and present the primary issues of the Scriptures with boldness and power. Issues like the virgin birth, salvation by grace alone through faith alone and the inerrancy of Scripture are all key doctrines that must be upheld. Yet, we also must not be overwhelmed with secondary issues & foolish debates that lead to division. So, you like pipe organ and a choir for worship? That's cool. Does that mean you can't fellowship with a guy who likes electric guitar & drums? Of course not! If he loves Jesus and you love Jesus, then fellowship together in Christ.
Once we all quit wasting time arguing over the foolish things and begin loving one another, this world will take notice. Then we can point them to the One who loved us first.
Life Lesson:
Don't waste time arguing about stuff that does not matter.
Dear God,
Thank You for Your love. Thank You for Jesus who showed that love by dying on the cross for my sins. Lord, help me to look beyond petty issues and foolish arguments so that I may show Your love to those around me. Fill me with Your Spirit so that I will be ready to stand for Your Truth and to share the love of Christ wherever I go. In Jesus' name. Amen.
There for You - by Greg Laurie -
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. -John 16:33
Studies have found that 85 percent of the things we worry about never happen. This means that of all the things you're worrying about right now, 85 percent of it won't happen. But what about the other 15 percent? Well, the Lord will be with you in your time of difficulty.
God has not promised that we'll live in a pain-free world. Jesus said, "Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). We need to face facts. Loved ones are going to die, and hardship will come into our lives.
But here is the good news: we live in the land of the dying, but we are headed to the land of the living. Yes, death will come, but we have this promise from Jesus: "Don't be afraid! I am the First and the Last. I am the living one. I died, but look-I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave" (Revelation 1:17-18). I'm so glad that He holds the keys. If I had the keys, they would've been lost for years now.
Someone asked me not long ago what the most spiritual moment of my life was. In other words, when was the time in my life when I felt God's presence more than any other? I had to think about it. And then I realized the most spiritual moment of my life, the moment when I felt the presence of God more than any other, was when I heard the news that my son Christopher had died, and God was there.
We can rejoice in the fact that God is in control. He will be with us, giving us what we need, when we need it.
Aceldama�And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.� (Acts 1:19)
Never was a tract of land more fittingly named than Aceldama, an Aramaic word meaning �field of blood,� for it had been purchased with blood money, �the price of blood� (Matthew 27:6). The purchaser had been Judas (through the �executors� of his estate, as it were, following his suicide), but the blood he sold, to acquire the price of the field, he had deemed �innocent blood.�
The miserable 30 shekels of silver that consummated this transaction was the price of a slave in ancient Israel (Exodus 21:32), but this slave was none other than God incarnate, so the 30 pieces of silver�the price set by the religious leaders of Israel�was the price for the sale of God.
The prophet Zechariah, more than 500 years before, had acted out a prophecy of these strange events: �So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver�a goodly price that I was prised at of them� (Zechariah 11:12-13). Next, according to both prophecy and fulfillment, this blood money was cast down in the temple and then used to buy the potter�s field (Zechariah 11:13; Matthew 27:5, 7-8).
These and many other such details in these accounts constitute a remarkable type and fulfillment of prophecy, and thus a testimony of both divine inspiration and divine foreordination. But, more than that, it is a striking picture of the price of our salvation, for the �field of blood� typifies that great field is the world (Matthew 13:38) and Christ is the man who, searching for �treasure hid in a field�selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field� (Matthew 13:44). All that He had�the very blood of His life�was willingly shed that we, dead in sins and hidden in the world, might be �purchased with his own blood� (Acts 20:28). HMM
Succeed at Home Firstby Max Lucado
Quiet heroes dot the landscape of our society. They don�t make the headlines, but they do sew the hemlines and check the outlines and stand on the sidelines. You won�t find their names on the Nobel Prize short list, but you�ll find their names on the carpool, and Bible teacher lists. They are parents! Heroes! Their kids call them mom. Dad. And these moms and dads, more valuable than all the executives and lawmakers, quietly hold the world together.
Be numbered among them. Read books to your kids. Play ball while you can and they want you to. Make it your aim to watch every game they play, read every story they write, hear every recital in which they perform. Children spell love with four letters: T-I-M-E. Not just quality time, but hang time, downtime, anytime, all the time! Cherish the children who share your name. Succeed at home first!
Seeking Guidance
Psalms 25:4-5
When you're facing a decision, whether big or small, it is important to wait upon God for His direction and timing. And though it may sound paradoxical, there are three ways that we can take an active role in the process while we wait.
First, we should examine our heart, asking the Holy Spirit to expose any wrongs. If He brings something to light, it is important to take care of that sin immediately--by confessing, repenting, and doing whatever's needed to correct the situation. At times we push this task aside because the impending decision seems like our main concern. Yet we cannot hear from God or receive His full blessing until we deal with transgression.
Third, the answer to our prayer at times requires our involvement. For instance, when people tell me they're out of work and trusting God to provide, I always want to know if they are actively looking for a job. Some are not; they are simply praying. We have responsibility not only to present God with requests and seek His guidance but also to be active in the process. Waiting on God is not an excuse to be lazy.
Prayer is a beautiful privilege that the heavenly Father gives to His children. He desires to lead us into a life of abundance. We should take an active part in seeking His will and listening for His voice. As we follow the Holy Spirit's guidance, we will experience all that the Lord has for us.
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