Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and
petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
What does the peace of God feel like? I used to think it was overwhelming tranquility, like being high on marijuana or the buzz of alcohol, but supernatural. Now I know what the peace of God feels like.
Earlier this week I felt anxious about a situation on my job. I remembered what Paul said about praying when we feel anxious, so I did, expecting the transcendent peace of God. After praying, I did experience God's peace. It was subtle, yet real and powerful. I realized that anxiety was more than just a feeling; it is a mindset that brings about a feeling. It's when I can't stop thinking about something that concerns me, something in the future. What I felt after praying was that I no longer felt compelled to think about the situation, even though the situation hadn't changed, nor had my concerns about the future changed. This is the peace of god, and it really does transcend understanding. There was no logical reason for me to not worry, or think about the future. It was simply an answer to prayer. God did this for me and He will do it for you.
If you agree, pray with me:
Our Father in heaven,
You know what I'm worried about right now, the even in my future that I have no control over. Please take care of this event for me, and until you do, give me your perfect incomprehensible peace. In Jesus name.
Amen.
Showing posts with label Answered Prayer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Answered Prayer. Show all posts
Saturday, October 10, 2015
Sunday, October 4, 2015
The Answer to Your Most Urgent Prayer (Part 1)
To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. King Solomon.
What do you need, and when do you need it? This will determine the answer to your most urgent prayer. I know. I've experienced this over and over again.
Once I needed money urgently to pay my rent, urgently. But when I sought help from government agencies, they consistently said the same thing: To receive their aid, I had to be in "crisis." They defined "crisis" as being on the verge of eviction, with eviction notice in hand. This seemed backwards to me. I didn't want to wait until my landlord gave me an eviction notice to get aid. Even if I got the rent money from the agency, what precedent would be set in this situation...even if I got a good paying job after the crisis? Perhaps my landlord would be merciful if this was a one time event. At any rate, the government would not help me until I needed the help, right then and there. This somewhat encouraged me, even before I learned God's lesson of seasons.
I felt encouraged by the implication that I wasn't really in crisis at that moment. I was trying to get my rent money before the rent was due, which would be in about three days. I didn't foresee that my situation would be any different three days from the time I sought government assistance. But they did. Somehow, they thought that a money miracle could happen in those three days. Somehow they thought that right up until I got an eviction notice, there was hope. Perhaps they weren't thinking this way at all. But it was implied. And with this implication I saw God teach me a lesson.
In fact I did get the money before I even came close to eviction. In fact, every time I've been in this situation, the same thing happens:
Right when I need something, God always provides it...not before, but also not after.
(Click here for part 2.)
What do you need, and when do you need it? This will determine the answer to your most urgent prayer. I know. I've experienced this over and over again.
Once I needed money urgently to pay my rent, urgently. But when I sought help from government agencies, they consistently said the same thing: To receive their aid, I had to be in "crisis." They defined "crisis" as being on the verge of eviction, with eviction notice in hand. This seemed backwards to me. I didn't want to wait until my landlord gave me an eviction notice to get aid. Even if I got the rent money from the agency, what precedent would be set in this situation...even if I got a good paying job after the crisis? Perhaps my landlord would be merciful if this was a one time event. At any rate, the government would not help me until I needed the help, right then and there. This somewhat encouraged me, even before I learned God's lesson of seasons.
I felt encouraged by the implication that I wasn't really in crisis at that moment. I was trying to get my rent money before the rent was due, which would be in about three days. I didn't foresee that my situation would be any different three days from the time I sought government assistance. But they did. Somehow, they thought that a money miracle could happen in those three days. Somehow they thought that right up until I got an eviction notice, there was hope. Perhaps they weren't thinking this way at all. But it was implied. And with this implication I saw God teach me a lesson.
In fact I did get the money before I even came close to eviction. In fact, every time I've been in this situation, the same thing happens:
Right when I need something, God always provides it...not before, but also not after.
(Click here for part 2.)
Saturday, August 15, 2015
Two things God will always give you (Part 1)
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.
1 John 5:14-15 NIV
What if you could always get exactly what you prayed for? You can. In fact, you can always receive these two things from God: His will and His peace.
YOU CAN ALWAYS RECEIVE GOD'S WILL.
It's impossible for you to completely escape God's will for you. God allows nothing to happen to you, good or evil, true or false, that stops His will in your life. Therefore, if you want God's will for your life, you can assume two things:
1 John 5:14-15 NIV
What if you could always get exactly what you prayed for? You can. In fact, you can always receive these two things from God: His will and His peace.
YOU CAN ALWAYS RECEIVE GOD'S WILL.
It's impossible for you to completely escape God's will for you. God allows nothing to happen to you, good or evil, true or false, that stops His will in your life. Therefore, if you want God's will for your life, you can assume two things:
- God will instantly change your situation if it goes against His will.
- God won't instantly change your situation, which means for the time, you are in fact, in His will.
Saturday, November 22, 2014
Getting what you pray for
"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Matthew 21:22
Is it possible to get whatever you ask for in prayer? According to Jesus, it's possible. He said,"If you an believe, all things are possible to those who believe." This includes answers to your prayers. Three things are necessary for you to get what you ask God for. Three conditions must be met for you to receive exactly what you ask.
ASK FOR GOD'S WILL
If you ask for God's will in prayer, God hears and answers your prayers. (1 John 5:14) So whatever you ask must of course agree with God's will, or at least it must not contradict God's will. For example, it's God's will for you to love the people in your life. If you pray for strength to love them, you can be certain that God will give it to you.
ASK WITH FAITH.
When you pray, ask according to what you genuinely believe God can do. Paul calls this your "measure of faith." You can receive whatever you believe. Think about what you can imagine, then ask with only the limitation of your imagination.
ASK SPECIFICALLY
How do you know if your prayer is answered? How do you know if it was going to happen whether you prayed for it to happen or not? Pray specifically. You have to ask for something that wouldn't happen without prayer. You don't need to pray that the sun will rise, but you may need to pray that the sun won't rise! That's very specific, undeniable, and irrefutable. It's something that only God can do.
Specifically and faithfully ask God for His will in your life.
When you do this, you will get exactly what you ask for.
If you want, pray with me right now.
Father God,
Show me exactly what you want me to do after I read this blog.
In Jesus name, Amen.
Let me know in the comments how God answered your prayer.
Is it possible to get whatever you ask for in prayer? According to Jesus, it's possible. He said,"If you an believe, all things are possible to those who believe." This includes answers to your prayers. Three things are necessary for you to get what you ask God for. Three conditions must be met for you to receive exactly what you ask.
ASK FOR GOD'S WILL
If you ask for God's will in prayer, God hears and answers your prayers. (1 John 5:14) So whatever you ask must of course agree with God's will, or at least it must not contradict God's will. For example, it's God's will for you to love the people in your life. If you pray for strength to love them, you can be certain that God will give it to you.
ASK WITH FAITH.
When you pray, ask according to what you genuinely believe God can do. Paul calls this your "measure of faith." You can receive whatever you believe. Think about what you can imagine, then ask with only the limitation of your imagination.
ASK SPECIFICALLY
How do you know if your prayer is answered? How do you know if it was going to happen whether you prayed for it to happen or not? Pray specifically. You have to ask for something that wouldn't happen without prayer. You don't need to pray that the sun will rise, but you may need to pray that the sun won't rise! That's very specific, undeniable, and irrefutable. It's something that only God can do.
Specifically and faithfully ask God for His will in your life.
When you do this, you will get exactly what you ask for.
If you want, pray with me right now.
Father God,
Show me exactly what you want me to do after I read this blog.
In Jesus name, Amen.
Let me know in the comments how God answered your prayer.
Sunday, March 2, 2014
The One Thing You Need As Your Pray Today
The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16
I'm assuming you believe in Jesus and that prayer is as natural to you as breathing. We're supposed to pray without ceasing, meaning we're in constant conversation connection with God. We're not only supposed to pray, but we're supposed to get what we pray for. Jesus Himself agrees with this when He says, "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Matthew 21:22
To do this, to get exactly what you pray for, you need one thing today:
If you are righteous, your prayers, whatever they are, will be "powerful and effective," according to James 5:16.
To be a righteous person is easy because Jesus made it easy. In the context of James chapter 5, being righteous simply means your sins are confessed and forgiven. That's it. That's righteousness. When you believe in Jesus and your sins are confessed and forgiven, your prayers are as powerful and effective as the prophet Elijah's. He was the "righteous person" James used as an example. Elijah's prayers were so powerful and effective that he prayed it wouldn't rain for three years, and it didn't rain for three years. Elijah prayed again that it would rain after those three years, and it rained. You can't pray more powerfully and effectively than to start and stop the weather! James made it clear that Elijah was just as human we are. But he was a righteous man. And his righteousness made his prayers powerful and effective.
Powerful and effective prayers are prayers that are very capable of bringing about very specific results. (Meaning you ask for God to stop rain for three years, and rain stops for three years. This prayer is specific, undeniable, and tangible.)
That's what you want, right? You want to receive exactly what you pray for. Why ask God for something if you really don't expect Him to give it to you? Why be vague when you know you want or need something very specific, at a very specific time, like today?
What are your prayers for today? Or better put, think of one thing you are praying for today that you really need or want. Be specific now. Be tangible.
For me, I'm taking a test and I need to make a specific score. Now my part in the answer to this prayer is to study. God won't do that for me. But He will give me wisdom, because He promises wisdom in the book of James when I ask with unwavering single-minded faith. I will get wisdom from God when I study because I'm a "righteous man." Because of Jesus, my sins are forgiven and forgotten. I can pray as powerfully and effectively for wisdom as Elijah prayed that it wouldn't rain for three years.
What about you?
What are you praying will happen today?
If you have any sin in your life, confess and forsake it by faith in Jesus' death for that sin. After this confession, you will be a righteous person, and you can pray as powerfully and effectively as the Prophet Elijah.
In other words, you'll get exactly what you pray for.
I'm assuming you believe in Jesus and that prayer is as natural to you as breathing. We're supposed to pray without ceasing, meaning we're in constant conversation connection with God. We're not only supposed to pray, but we're supposed to get what we pray for. Jesus Himself agrees with this when He says, "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Matthew 21:22
To do this, to get exactly what you pray for, you need one thing today:
Be a righteous person.
If you are righteous, your prayers, whatever they are, will be "powerful and effective," according to James 5:16.
To be a righteous person is easy because Jesus made it easy. In the context of James chapter 5, being righteous simply means your sins are confessed and forgiven. That's it. That's righteousness. When you believe in Jesus and your sins are confessed and forgiven, your prayers are as powerful and effective as the prophet Elijah's. He was the "righteous person" James used as an example. Elijah's prayers were so powerful and effective that he prayed it wouldn't rain for three years, and it didn't rain for three years. Elijah prayed again that it would rain after those three years, and it rained. You can't pray more powerfully and effectively than to start and stop the weather! James made it clear that Elijah was just as human we are. But he was a righteous man. And his righteousness made his prayers powerful and effective.
Powerful and effective prayers are prayers that are very capable of bringing about very specific results. (Meaning you ask for God to stop rain for three years, and rain stops for three years. This prayer is specific, undeniable, and tangible.)
That's what you want, right? You want to receive exactly what you pray for. Why ask God for something if you really don't expect Him to give it to you? Why be vague when you know you want or need something very specific, at a very specific time, like today?
What are your prayers for today? Or better put, think of one thing you are praying for today that you really need or want. Be specific now. Be tangible.
For me, I'm taking a test and I need to make a specific score. Now my part in the answer to this prayer is to study. God won't do that for me. But He will give me wisdom, because He promises wisdom in the book of James when I ask with unwavering single-minded faith. I will get wisdom from God when I study because I'm a "righteous man." Because of Jesus, my sins are forgiven and forgotten. I can pray as powerfully and effectively for wisdom as Elijah prayed that it wouldn't rain for three years.
What about you?
What are you praying will happen today?
If you have any sin in your life, confess and forsake it by faith in Jesus' death for that sin. After this confession, you will be a righteous person, and you can pray as powerfully and effectively as the Prophet Elijah.
In other words, you'll get exactly what you pray for.
The one thing you need as you pray today is to be a righteous person,
because only the righteous person can pray powerfully and effectively.
Confessing your sin by faith in Jesus makes you a righteous person.
May God bless you as you pray today.
Sunday, February 16, 2014
How to Get What You Pray For (Part 2)
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26
"Everything is possible for one who believes." Mark 9:23
If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer. Matthew 21:22
Possibilities are the keys to belief. What you imagine possible is the limitation of your faith, in prayer and in life.
What do you imagine is possible for God in relationship to your deepest need and desire in prayer right now? Really imagine this. Don't just quote the scriptures I gave or appeal to God's "omnipotence" theologically. What do you really think God can and cannot do? What difficulties does God face in achieving His goals, or ours for that matter? Are there some prayers that you pray that you consider more difficult for God to grant than others?
What do you imagine you can receive? For example, take the person with the headache in the last blog who wanted his headache to be gone before he got to work. Could he actually imaging going to work completely fine? Or was this too hard for God to do?
Jesus said, "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."
The only limit Jesus seems to give is in what the person who prays can imagine.
But having said that, there is no limit to what God can and will do for you if you can imagine that He can and will do it. What can you imagine? What do you think is possible for God in your life? It will be so...according to your faith.
"Everything is possible for one who believes." Mark 9:23
If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer. Matthew 21:22
The only limit Jesus seems to give is in what the person who prays can imagine.
- Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith let it be done to you" Matt. 9:29
- Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would." Matt. 8:13
- Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." Matt.9:22
But having said that, there is no limit to what God can and will do for you if you can imagine that He can and will do it. What can you imagine? What do you think is possible for God in your life? It will be so...according to your faith.
How To Get What You Pray For
"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Matthew 21:22
God responds to every prayer, but many times we don't know His response. The reason is because we don't know what we ourselves are praying. We ask for things in general with unfocused faith. You get what you pray for by believing specific promises and asking for specific things.
BELIEVE SPECIFIC PROMISES FROM GOD.
The Bible says God is not a man that he should lie, nor a son of man that he should change his mind. When he speaks he acts, when he promises he fulfills. If you have a genuine need or desire, and God has promised in scripture to meet that need, then believe that specific promise when you pray. If you need wisdom, God promises to give it freely in the book of James. If you're worried and need peace, God promises this in Paul's letter to the Philippians. Believe a specific promise from God to meet your specific need.
ASK GOD FOR SPECIFIC THINGS
The specific promise of God must meet the specific need that you have right now. By specific I mean a real thing, at a real date, by a real time. You exist in time and space, in a world of solids, liquids, and gases. Jesus knows this, which is why he taught us to pray, "Give us this day our daily bread." If you need God to take away your headache so that you can go to work, ask God to take your headache away so that by the time you arrive at work, your head ache is gone. Is it God's will to heal you of a headache? Of course it is. He is still "God our Healer," the one Malachi said "does not change." Jesus "took our infirmities and carried our sicknesses." Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The Spirit is the one who gives the body of Christ "gifts of healing." James told those who were sick in the church to seek healing through the elders and the prayer of faith. So this specific need to be healed of a headache by the time you get to work fits a specific promise of God to heal his children given in the book of James.
You get what you pray for by believing a specific promise and by asking God for specific things.
God responds to every prayer, but many times we don't know His response. The reason is because we don't know what we ourselves are praying. We ask for things in general with unfocused faith. You get what you pray for by believing specific promises and asking for specific things.
BELIEVE SPECIFIC PROMISES FROM GOD.
The Bible says God is not a man that he should lie, nor a son of man that he should change his mind. When he speaks he acts, when he promises he fulfills. If you have a genuine need or desire, and God has promised in scripture to meet that need, then believe that specific promise when you pray. If you need wisdom, God promises to give it freely in the book of James. If you're worried and need peace, God promises this in Paul's letter to the Philippians. Believe a specific promise from God to meet your specific need.
ASK GOD FOR SPECIFIC THINGS
The specific promise of God must meet the specific need that you have right now. By specific I mean a real thing, at a real date, by a real time. You exist in time and space, in a world of solids, liquids, and gases. Jesus knows this, which is why he taught us to pray, "Give us this day our daily bread." If you need God to take away your headache so that you can go to work, ask God to take your headache away so that by the time you arrive at work, your head ache is gone. Is it God's will to heal you of a headache? Of course it is. He is still "God our Healer," the one Malachi said "does not change." Jesus "took our infirmities and carried our sicknesses." Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The Spirit is the one who gives the body of Christ "gifts of healing." James told those who were sick in the church to seek healing through the elders and the prayer of faith. So this specific need to be healed of a headache by the time you get to work fits a specific promise of God to heal his children given in the book of James.
You get what you pray for by believing a specific promise and by asking God for specific things.
Friday, January 24, 2014
Will God Respond to You?
Have you ever felt like you had to practically beg someone to call or text you back? Maybe you're the one being begged! How does it make you feel, to beg and be begged?
It makes me feel anxiety, like the person doesn't really value me. So why am I valuing him? Why waste my time on her?
Because he is valuable to me.
Because she means so much to me.
So I persist in seeking him; I won't stop pursuing her.
But what about God?
Does God value you enough to respond to you without you begging Him?
Hear what God says:
"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."
Jeremiah 33:3
Not only does God promise to respond to your call, but He promises to answer you with marvelous mind-blowing mysteries! God will not leave you hanging after you've poured out your heart to him, like when you write a long heart felt email and get no reply.
Will God respond to you? Yes He will!
Call to Him now, and wait for His answer!
It makes me feel anxiety, like the person doesn't really value me. So why am I valuing him? Why waste my time on her?
Because he is valuable to me.
Because she means so much to me.
So I persist in seeking him; I won't stop pursuing her.
But what about God?
Does God value you enough to respond to you without you begging Him?
Hear what God says:
"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."
Jeremiah 33:3
Not only does God promise to respond to your call, but He promises to answer you with marvelous mind-blowing mysteries! God will not leave you hanging after you've poured out your heart to him, like when you write a long heart felt email and get no reply.
Will God respond to you? Yes He will!
Call to Him now, and wait for His answer!
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