Affirming God’s will

There is a voice that tells me I must do everything… share the truths God gives me, serve in the church kitchen, teach Bible classes, encourage those who need it, give generously, be a leader, show great compassion, do all that is put in front of me. At my age and stage in life, my energy level questions that voice.

Praying about it, I read, “Try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:10) and “make the best use of the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:16), and this one too: 

Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. (Ephesians 5:24)

I remember the woman who argued that her hubby was not treating her as Jesus treats His church and then read this verse: “However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband” (Ephesians 5:33). At the time, I thought she didn’t respect her hubby very much, but after years of seeing spousal abuse, even in the church, this is not as simple or straight-forward as it seemed then.

For example, I know a man who recently abandoned his wife and family and ran off with another man’s wife. Jesus isn’t like that, does not do that to His bride, nor would we respect Him if He did. However, the Bible tells women this:

Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct. Do not let your adorning be external. . . . but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening. 

Sobering too, yet then it adds, “Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.” (1 Peter 3:1–7)

Both spouses have challenges. Neither of us can do what God commands without His strength and patience. I cannot advise the wife of the man who abandoned her, but I can pray for my own perplexities, particularly what God wants me to do (I cannot do everything) but can see that if demands and the will of God are in conflict, no matter where those demands come from, I need to obey God and watch out that my many ideas and ambitions are not overriding His will.

Today’s reading winds up here, and affirms to me all I need to know…

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. . . . fasten on the belt of truth, put on the breastplate of righteousness, and the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith. . . . extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. . . . keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints. . . .” for boldness in those who proclaim it… (Ephesians 6:10–20)

Ephesians winds up saying to do whatever I do “for the Lord’s sake” and in His grace and wisdom. It isn’t so much about what I do but why I do it. If any activity does not glorify God, it is not from Him.

PRAY: This answers the questions I had this morning and shows me how the enemy attacks what I already know. Satan would rather I worry about being a total failure instead of remembering that You are all I need and that You have already given me all You want me to do: be a godly wife, pray about everything, and listen for any further instructions.

 

Motivated to pray…

More and more I’m understanding that God hears even my thoughts as prayers. Yesterday’s events were small things, yet I could almost feel His hand in mine. I went to a fabric store for one item. They were having a sale for members only. I’m no longer a member and the cost to renew added to the sale price of that item was less than the full price for non-members. One of those ‘I spy God’ things as He helps me be a good steward of His money.

Next, at another store where the parking lot is always full and a long walk from the empty spots to the door, I whispered that it would be great to get a closer spot, then rescinded with “It doesn’t matter, I can walk.” I turned where the Spirit directed and parked in the spot closest to the front door. It felt like a big hug.

Going out, the lineups at the till were long. Then a clerk approached me with a handheld device and asked to scan my cart. I still had to pay, but the paper he handed me eliminated all waiting. I’ve never had that experience. Another hug as He helps me be a good steward of time.

Later, more little things kept adding up and I kept feeling the nearness and love of God. I wondered if someone was praying. Then this morning Piper’s thoughts blessed and motivated me again to pray about everything. 

Piper told of a man who committed to pray for him — “until you die or I die—or Jesus comes back — every day.” Piper was overwhelmed to tears. He said, “That means, if he and I live out our three score and ten years, he will pray for me more than eight thousand times. It means rain or shine, he is praying. For better or for worse, he is praying. If I succeed or fall, he is praying. If I lose my mind and become a vegetable, he is praying. If I make shipwreck of my faith and commit apostasy, he is praying.”

This demonstration of God’s love is not only breath-taking, but makes a difference. Those prayers are certainly foundational to the success of John Piper’s ministry as well as his personal growth. 

The Apostle Paul was also motivated to unceasing prayer:

For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. (Romans 1:9–10)
I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him. (Ephesians 1:16–17)
And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. (Colossians 1:9)

Small blessings aside, the Spirit speaks to me about the importance of my prayers. I may not see what God is doing, but His work in my life tells me to persevere in praying for the people that He puts on my heart. He says: “Pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17–18)

PRAY: Jesus, prayer takes time, energy, and an attitude of being real, but also enables me to better know Your will. For that, I also have to listen… and as I do, I ask that You put in my heart whatever and whoever all that You want me to pray for. No matter how You answer, I want to connect with You. I also desire that others know the blessings, small and huge, of being in a saving relationship with You.

Pray without ceasing?

 

In a weekly prayer time with 2-3 other women we formally pray, but also discuss our burdens and thoughts about walking with Jesus. We’ve agreed that God hears our discussions as prayer the same way He hears when we speak with bowed heads.

This morning I read a devotional thought that agrees. It says that “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) is “the breath in our lungs and the blood from our hearts” flowing  ceaselessly without being conscious of it, and prayer is like that. Jesus keeps us in perfect relationship with God when we are obeying Him. Because this is so, our lives are the exercise of prayer. Because Jesus never mentioned unanswered prayer and because His care is endless, I can be certain that He is continually at work to hear and answer me, whether I am speaking or not, and whether He is speaking to me or not.

This writer says we need to see what Jesus says about prayer and instead of excusing His words or trying to make sense of them, just do what He says about this fantastic privilege of having a two-way conversation with our Creator.

For instance, He says “When you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:6) This warns me about praying to impress others, but also suggests that His answers may also be kept secret for a time.

Jesus makes prayer simple talk. “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.” (Matthew 6:7) I don’t need fancy or formal words.

I do need to persist though:

Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs. And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. (Luke 11:5–10)

And I also need to believe that He is going to do what I ask:

Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (Mark 11:23-24)

But if I have a rift with others because of their sin, or any other reason, I need to first deal with that or any other sin of my own. He isn’t listening if I’m harboring unconfessed sin in any form:

And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. (Mark 11:25)

Prayer is not all about what I want. When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He began with praise and with a huge request: “When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come.’ ” (Luke 11:2) God’s priorities are far bigger than any requests about personal comfort!

I’m also to pray in His name, which is asking with the conviction that my requests represent His requests. “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” (John 14:13–14) Far too often, prayer is a personal request for personal comfort, not to glorify God or a request based on knowing His will.

All of these instructions mean knowing what He wants, not only in how to pray but what to pray for. I cannot assume that because I want it, Jesus also wants the same thing. He might, but if my prayer is totally selfish, His answer will include conviction to talk with Him about His will instead of my own.

PRAY: Father, in the name of Your Son, enable my prayer life to be more like His, that You will be glorified and I have nothing to boast about. May I also realize that everything I think, or say, or do, is communication with You — and for that reason, I need to listen more than I speak.

Changes needed!

Lately I’ve been noticing how I respond to the actions of others. Another Christian told me that he gets very upset when he sees other believers do things “when they know better” yet in my journey in the family of God, I’m not certain if others actually “know better” or not. Once I asked a pastor about my role as a teacher. I was concerned that I taught what they already knew. He replied, “Teach it anyway. We are so prone to forget or ignore what we already know.”

This morning’s devotional reminds me of what I already know and yet I woke up not thinking about any of it:

See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:15–18)

My first thought? Evil needs a solid definition. Most use synonyms like immoral, or nasty, which also need defining, but one online answer says evil is “taking pleasure in doing things that harm people.” This makes the Word of God startle me… do good to those who try to harm me rather than hurt them back has to include speaking ill of them to others, even complaining to God about their evil actions. Can I do good instead? This gives me a challenge to obey the next time someone says or does something that I don’t like!

The rest of this passage offers three responses to life, and certainly God gives me many reasons for obeying them.

‘Rejoice evermore!’ My sins are forgiven and Christ’s righteousness is imputed to me. In Him I am accepted, a child of God and joint-heirs with Jesus. I’m loved by my Creator who rules all things. He even gives me the joy He commands as a fruit of the Spirit. When I walk with Him, rejoicing is simply there — even in the struggles and trials that are part of life. I’ve no reason to ever be grumpy or complaining, and many reasons to rejoice.

‘Pray without ceasing!’ This is not about being constantly on my knees, but about having an attitude of reliance on God for everything, including how I interact with others. In includes the above reasons for rejoicing, yet also having that inner realization that apart from Him, I can do nothing that is good — by His definition of what is good. The entire Bible makes that definition clear, as does the wisdom of God in His dealings with me. I am to have that conscious dependence that turns to Him whenever something comes up that requires wisdom, grace, protection, strength, even forgiveness and certainly the ability to be thankful. So be prayerful all the time.

‘In everything give thanks!’ Some say this is not saying to be thankful for problems, but thankful for the positives I have in Him, but I am realizing that no matter what happens to me, it is included in “all things” because it isn’t just giving thanks that is His will for me, but faith realizes that whatever happens is controlled by my sovereign heavenly Father. That means all things, and giving things in every circumstance because those circumstances are also the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning me. So be thankful no matter what!

PRAY: Jesus, I’m so aware that the attitudes of my heart need to be governed by Your Spirit and not my flesh. In my mind, unkind people and blatant sinners do not deserve goodness, yet that is not the way You treat me when I act foolishly and out of Your will. You ask me to be more like You and I am so aware that without You, this is impossible. So, I am rejoicing that I know You, praying to be Spirit-filled each day, and thankful that You hear and answer this cry that enables obedience. It is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace.

 

No Greater Privilege

 

Going to bed with a need on my heart can make sleep elusive. I prayed, but the need nagged. Yet in the morning, the prayer was answered. God keeps surprising me with such things. Prayer is a tremendous privilege.

This morning, I did some reading on this topic and am so blessed with what God showed me. One commentator pointed out how the history of Israel was one of failure to trust and obey God as His ‘sons’ ought. Then when Jesus was baptized, God says: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased” (Luke 3:22) and this author adds that heaven must have sighed with relief for finally here is a true Son who can (and will) perfectly trust, obey, and please His Father. He adds that to Jesus alone belonged the full privilege of prayer and access for only He could say with confidence to God, “I know that you always hear me” (John 11:41–42).

Then this: when we believe in Jesus Christ we are united to him and what is true of Jesus is true of us. We also have His perfect and secure access to the Father and when we pray in Jesus’ name, we do so with supreme confidence and yet humble dependence on His unmerited grace.

Now prayer means I can go into the presence of God without any mere hopes, fears, aspirations or my own thoughts. I am going to have communion with the living God! In Him, I can abandon being self-centered, always wanting something, but realize the greatness, glory and privilege of prayer — the everlasting God is listening to me! I am praying in the name of Jesus and letting my requests be made known to God, and doing this with confidence and assurance because all that is Christ’s is also mine…

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. (1 John 5:14–15)

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

A great need today is Christian intercession for a lost world and a church that needs revival. This was always a need. In the OT, God “saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede” (Isaiah 59:16). With great needs and the privilege of prayer so wonderful, why so little attention to the throne of grace? One writer suggests it is how we view God. Isaiah 51:13 says, He is the One who "stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth" and Isaiah 64:3-5 adds, “When you did awesome things that we did not look for, you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence. From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him. You meet him who joyfully works righteousness, those who remember you in your ways….”

How can I more often take advantage of this awesome privilege of prayer. I set times to pray. I mean well. I forget. Or my mind wanders. Or I read off a list of I-wants. I know He cares about everything yet I can be self-centered, or worse as I sometimes tell Him what to do — as if I know the better than He does. Such impertinence!

For many, prayer is an escape from obedience. I’m thankful that weakness and need motivate me, and a desire to be so reliant on Him that I must obey, and that He will fill me with the Holy Spirit and give me all that is needed. I want Him to work in me, “both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13) and not quench or grieve Him by being lazy and disobedient. I want Him to “work in me that which pleases Him, through Jesus Christ.”

PRAY: My heart knows that prayer is not a means to tap into Your generous grace for what I want, but to know You better, to share my heart and hear Your heart, and to be filled with awe as well as getting answers for the perplexities that are all around me. I want others to be reconciled to You, healing for the broken, and so much more to happen that brings our needy world to their knees before Your throne of grace. Prayer is a huge topic, but even more, a huge privilege. Forgive me for neglecting it far too often and enrich my desire and obedience to draw near to You.

God’s Power and my choices

I’m being challenged continually to trust Jesus with everything. Last night we prayed with friends and part of that included a discussion about repetition. Do we ask God once for something and trust Him to do it? Or do we pray every day until it happens?

The question in my devotional: Is it not hard to trust the management of the universe and all of the outward creation to the Lord?

My first thought: Why not then trust Him to open up a parking place close to the door of a store when it is pouring rain and the umbrella is at home in the other car? Can my concerns be more complex and difficult than keeping the earth in orbit, or taking care of animals and birds, or even making flowers grow and bloom. Why then be anxious or troubled about His management of my life, or the lives of those around me? Why not pray as often as concerns arise?

If I take my stand on the power and trustworthiness of God based on just creation, it is easy to see that He knows how to turn a patch of weeds into a field of flowers, or protect a hive of bees, or turn a lanky and very shaky foal into a sleek race horse. It should be easy to pray about everything as long or only once.

I can trust Him to forgive my sin and give me eternal life — and “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16) For those who are perishing, the word of the cross is folly, but to me it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18)

Jesus died in weakness but rose again by the power of God. I am weak yet live and will live forever in the power of God (2 Corinthians 13:4). Why then do I not pray about everything since God can do anything? Is it not because the sin nature so easily rules? The sin nature simply wants to be lord of my life. Compared to what God can do, how foolish is that! If I do not pray, is it because my sin nature assumes I can handle all things?

I woke this morning with an agenda. But the dishwasher needed to be unloaded. The words “Do the right thing” ran through my head so I unloaded it. I have a role in a nonprofit group and saw an email that needed a response from my position on their board. A voice in my head said “Answer this now” and again, “Do the right thing” and no worry of responses for my response was a rebuke of sorts. At the same time, I knew this was the Holy Spirit telling me what to do, not my agenda.

I’ve been complaining how my to-do list runs my life when I have the God of the universe standing by and quite willing to take on that role. I do not alway listen. How foolish is that?

Once someone said to me that God was to be relied on the big stuff, like the wars in the world and the weather and anything else we cannot control, but we are not to bother Him with things we can do ourselves. I do not agree. That person has never felt helpless or unable to take on the challenges of life — a weakness that God allows to those of us who stubbornly insist on managing our own lives without Him. Doing the right thing means doing what God tells me to do, not what I want to do. Sadly, my ‘I wants’ are the essence of sin.

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6, italics mine)

PRAY: Jesus, I hear You loud and clear. The bottom line for me today comes from this seldom preached verse: “So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” (James 4:17) Keep me hearing it. I’m tired of trying to do my own thing and even if my actions are not what others might consider sinful, if I am not doing what You tell me, then I am sinning against You.

Dying on Bended Knee

 

My Bible software has several books and allows me to set up reading plans with reminders. This morning, I read a chapter in Dick Eastman’s powerful and challenging book, “No Easy Road: Discover the Extraordinary Power of Personal Prayer.” The verse that stood out was “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and the quote, “He died on bended knees.”

MacArthur’s devotional begins with another challenge that augments what Eastman wrote:

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. (James 1:19–21)

He goes on to describe what it means to receive the Word of God, not hearing in a mere audible way but absorbing it in agreement, acceptance, and a change of heart. That is, all sin that contradicts what God says is confessed and abandoned and a new way of life begins.

Eastman illustrates that way of life with several men and women who learned to pray without ceasing. For them, every action and issue of life was prayed over and their time spent with God was hours, not minutes. He told of one who was taken to heaven while he prayed.

Combining the chapter about habitual prayer with the devotional about receiving and applying God’s Word, my challenge is obvious. MacArthur says I must nurture what I’ve heard “by removing any weeds” of sin that keeps me from doing what it says. For me, that involves excuses such as, ‘I have too much to do’ and therefore put prayer on the bottom of the list. We all know what happens when our most important task is given that status — it never happens.

I’m well qualified in the habit of procrastination. However, God keeps teaching me how purposeful prayer makes demanding work easy and the clock seems to move slowly — and all those other chores wind up with a check mark also. But if I don’t take much time to pray, the entire day is usually a messy frustration. This is like tithing; giving to God makes the remaining funds more efficient and nothing breaks or wears out. However, tithing my time is not the same — I don’t give a percentage of the day to God but all of it.

In a sense, ‘dying on bended knee’ depicts death to self, death to all the ambitions I have and death to my desire for comfort and the power to manage my own time and schedule. Eastman says praying without ceasing comes from a term like having a hacking cough. When the need to cough comes, you cough. No choice: you cannot help it. Like that, when anything comes up, I’m to pray about it. One of his illustrations was a man who prayed every time he licked an envelope to mail a letter. This man wanted God’s blessing on all that he did, and God answered his prayers in powerful ways.

PRAY: Jesus, You woke me early this morning with a dream and then amazing thoughts about Your power and Your will for me. That dream, your revelation and those thoughts tied together with these Scriptures and readings. I need to pray continually because I am burdened continually for many things, from seeing a person take a forbidden parking place as if the rules do not apply to him, to the war in the Ukraine. I’ve many needy Christians on my list and a hoard of unsaved loved ones and friends. Praying without ceasing is the only way I can pray for all the needs that You show me. Enable me to think prayer like You think prayer; You “ever live to intercede” for Your people. May my prayers and Your answers bring glory to Your name!

READ: 1 Thessalonians 2:13–14. How did the Thessalonians’ respond to God’s Word? How can I be reminded to do the same?