Satan is so good at making us doubt and question what we know to be God. Several weeks ago I had asked God for a token of good, an indication that He had not forgotten our prayer and was still working on it. I asked Him for an article about Tebow to appear on my news feed. It did, that very night and was gone the next morning. The night before our big Tebow blitz, I once again asked God for an indication, through a news article, that He had heard our prayers and had once again moved on our behalf. This time God said no, you don't need that token, you have my promise to hear your prayers and answer them when two of you are agreed. I then asked God that whenever He felt I needed the reassurance, or He wanted to remind me He hadn't forgotten to let there be news posts about Tebow. For a few weeks, there were none...and that was okay, God didn't feel I needed them.
This past week, I've just really felt frustrated in my prayers. There are two major things I am praying for in my life right now, one of them being this request. It just felt pointless, like there was NEVER going to be an answer to either request. Then, Thursday, there was an article on Tebow in my news feed. There was another one on Friday and on Saturday and again today. And here is Satan trying to make me think these are not answers from God. His first tactic was to make me think I'd never asked God for this to be 'our' sign, he caused me to doubt, so I made sure today, I specifically asked God to only let there be articles on Tebow when He wants me to know He's working. Then he began in with the idea that articles from Tebow are no big deal, fall training has begun after all, of course there would be articles about him. Odd thing is, on my news feed at least, there are no other football related articles. There are stories just as big, if not bigger, in the NFL than Tebow, why aren't those in my feed? That's because, yes, God is answering my prayer. He hasn't forgotten my request or me. He is working to bring this about.
It doesn't do any good to ask God for things if we are going to doubt Him when He answers. Of course Satan is going to cast doubt, he doesn't want us be encouraged to keep praying...he looses when we do. If you have the courage to ask God for something, have the courage to believe He'll answer, because He's promised He will. (Jer. 33:3)
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Sunday, July 29, 2012
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Wait...God DOESN'T Need My Help?!
As a prayer continues over time without an answer, it is very tempting to take matters into your own hands and answer it yourself. I think it is even more tempting to do this when you've been clearly shown by God He is going to grant this thing you've requested.
I've been reading about the patriarchs these past few weeks. Their stories are quite amazing. Time and again God drew my attention to someone in each of their families who took matters into their own hands because God wasn't moving fast enough. Sarah gave Hagar to Abraham, who had a child with her, heartache and a family feud resulted. Rebekah deceived Isaac into blessing Jacob, a lost son was the result. Rachel gave her handmaid to Jacob to father children by and a bitter rivalry occurred. Difficult things result when we try to answer our own prayers or fulfill God's promises.
Something else God pointed out to me was the fact that, despite the 'help' and the resulting messes, God still fulfilled His original promise to each family. God will work His plan, but at what cost? What blessings do I rob myself of because I couldn't wait for God to answer?
Six months seems an eternity to be praying to meet Tebow and it's easy to think that maybe God has forgotten or changed His mind. It's frustrating to have to wait and not see any visible indication that God is working. I, too, could 'help' God out. I could find ways of trying to get Tebow's attention, and I think God would still come through on His promises, but I would always wonder what it was I missed out on, what God was unable to do because I butted in.
If you have been praying for something over a long period of time, take heart, God hasn't forgotten. He will do as He promised...Isaac was born, Jacob received the blessing and Rachel had two sons...just be careful not to rob yourself of any blessing God has planned because you thought God needed help.
I've been reading about the patriarchs these past few weeks. Their stories are quite amazing. Time and again God drew my attention to someone in each of their families who took matters into their own hands because God wasn't moving fast enough. Sarah gave Hagar to Abraham, who had a child with her, heartache and a family feud resulted. Rebekah deceived Isaac into blessing Jacob, a lost son was the result. Rachel gave her handmaid to Jacob to father children by and a bitter rivalry occurred. Difficult things result when we try to answer our own prayers or fulfill God's promises.
Something else God pointed out to me was the fact that, despite the 'help' and the resulting messes, God still fulfilled His original promise to each family. God will work His plan, but at what cost? What blessings do I rob myself of because I couldn't wait for God to answer?
Six months seems an eternity to be praying to meet Tebow and it's easy to think that maybe God has forgotten or changed His mind. It's frustrating to have to wait and not see any visible indication that God is working. I, too, could 'help' God out. I could find ways of trying to get Tebow's attention, and I think God would still come through on His promises, but I would always wonder what it was I missed out on, what God was unable to do because I butted in.
If you have been praying for something over a long period of time, take heart, God hasn't forgotten. He will do as He promised...Isaac was born, Jacob received the blessing and Rachel had two sons...just be careful not to rob yourself of any blessing God has planned because you thought God needed help.
Friday, July 20, 2012
Another Way of Knowing
The story of Balaam kept coming to my mind yesterday. God initially told him no, not to curse the Israelites as the king asked him to do. Balaam made a pretense of obeying God by telling the king no. With each increased offer from the king, Balaam went back to God seeking permission to take the wealth and curse Israel. Eventually God told Balaam yes but only because Balaam was going to do it anyway. Balaam went to curse Israel deceiving himself into thinking he had God's okay.
For several days I have been asking God is there something more we could do or needed to do in order for Him to answer. Tuesday He put this idea into my mind and of course, immediately Satan pounced. I spent some time talking with Stephanie about it, seeking advice and counsel from someone else as Proverbs says to do and we agreed that this could be a good thing and a tremendous opportunity for God to work. And Satan pounced again. Every so often on Wednesday, Satan put the thought into my head that God only said yes because I pestered Him about it and that I was taking matters into my own hands, that I was doing this on my own and God wasn't in it. Thursday was even worse. Then came Friday. My specific set-aside time came and as I began to pray Satan was right there, once again putting doubt into my head.
I am currently reading in Genesis. Today was the story of Sarah deciding God was not answering fast enough so she gave Hagar to Abraham to have a child by. What Sarah did did not fit into the promise God had given her. God had promised her that she herself and Abraham would have a son. He did not promise her that Abraham and Hagar would have a child. Sarah went against God's plan, it didn't fit in with what God had said. That is what God was trying to show me about our decision to devote today in prayer. When God said to ask, He said to ask Him, not to go through any other channels or means to get Tebow's attention. That's exactly what we did today...ask Him for an opportunity to meet Tebow.
Had I pleaded with God to make a YouTube Video until He said okay, then I would have been Balaam. If I had asked everybody to write ten letters to the Tebow Foundation every day for the next month, then I would have been Sarah, taking matters into my own hands. What we did do today, however, did fit in with His original plan of asking Him and Him alone to make this meeting happen. It is how He wants this promise to be fulfilled.
Doing things that fit in with His established plans and promises are another way of knowing and recognizing God's will and hands in a situation. Anything we do that goes against what He's already shown us His will to be will never be the right thing. And what a blessing of assurance God gave me today through Sarah that a day of prayer most decidedly was in accordance with His will and fit His plan of how He wants this to be accomplished.
For several days I have been asking God is there something more we could do or needed to do in order for Him to answer. Tuesday He put this idea into my mind and of course, immediately Satan pounced. I spent some time talking with Stephanie about it, seeking advice and counsel from someone else as Proverbs says to do and we agreed that this could be a good thing and a tremendous opportunity for God to work. And Satan pounced again. Every so often on Wednesday, Satan put the thought into my head that God only said yes because I pestered Him about it and that I was taking matters into my own hands, that I was doing this on my own and God wasn't in it. Thursday was even worse. Then came Friday. My specific set-aside time came and as I began to pray Satan was right there, once again putting doubt into my head.
I am currently reading in Genesis. Today was the story of Sarah deciding God was not answering fast enough so she gave Hagar to Abraham to have a child by. What Sarah did did not fit into the promise God had given her. God had promised her that she herself and Abraham would have a son. He did not promise her that Abraham and Hagar would have a child. Sarah went against God's plan, it didn't fit in with what God had said. That is what God was trying to show me about our decision to devote today in prayer. When God said to ask, He said to ask Him, not to go through any other channels or means to get Tebow's attention. That's exactly what we did today...ask Him for an opportunity to meet Tebow.
Had I pleaded with God to make a YouTube Video until He said okay, then I would have been Balaam. If I had asked everybody to write ten letters to the Tebow Foundation every day for the next month, then I would have been Sarah, taking matters into my own hands. What we did do today, however, did fit in with His original plan of asking Him and Him alone to make this meeting happen. It is how He wants this promise to be fulfilled.
Doing things that fit in with His established plans and promises are another way of knowing and recognizing God's will and hands in a situation. Anything we do that goes against what He's already shown us His will to be will never be the right thing. And what a blessing of assurance God gave me today through Sarah that a day of prayer most decidedly was in accordance with His will and fit His plan of how He wants this to be accomplished.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
How You Know
God must be gearing up to do something big in our Tebow Prayer Blitz tomorrow. Why? Because Satan is on the attack in a way he hasn't in awhile. He has been relentless in getting me to focus on the wrong things about tomorrow. He constantly is putting into my mind the idea that I am doing this to glorify myself . He keeps putting questions into my head about whether or not this was what God wanted or was it because I asked Him repeatedly what more can we do...and yes I do realize this is God's answer to that question, but Satan makes it feel like God just said yes to get me to quit asking. Satan has once again preyed on my insecurities.
Not too long ago, God led me to the verses in Isaiah that talk about line upon line, precept upon precept. That was at a time that God seemed to be going back over numerous things He has already taught me in this journey. I mentioned in a blog post one possible reason for that review was because a big battle may be up ahead and God was just preparing me by reminding me. This could be that battle. I have had to make more deliberate choices to believe God today than I have in quite some time...that's how relentless Satan has been.
When Satan fights us hard, it's because we are following God and he doesn't like it. The harder he fights, the more we are doing what God wants. He wouldn't put up a fight at all if we weren't obeying. He wouldn't put up much of a fight if we were partially obeying. He fights hard, and dirty and relentlessly when we are following in God's steps, when God is about to win a victory.
For most of us, these thoughts are nothing new, nothing we haven't heard in sermons and devotions before, I realize that. As a matter of fact, I heard them in a sermon myself not too long ago. And I'm glad I did because it was there fresh in my mind for God to use to remind me.
I don't know what God plans to do tomorrow. I hope and pray it is something big, that He reveals Himself in this prayer in a gigantic way. I sense that He will. That sense comes from two places, the Holy Spirit's guidance and Satan's frenzied attacks...yes, Satan's attacks are sometimes how you know God is about to work in marvelous ways and may He do so tomorrow.
Not too long ago, God led me to the verses in Isaiah that talk about line upon line, precept upon precept. That was at a time that God seemed to be going back over numerous things He has already taught me in this journey. I mentioned in a blog post one possible reason for that review was because a big battle may be up ahead and God was just preparing me by reminding me. This could be that battle. I have had to make more deliberate choices to believe God today than I have in quite some time...that's how relentless Satan has been.
When Satan fights us hard, it's because we are following God and he doesn't like it. The harder he fights, the more we are doing what God wants. He wouldn't put up a fight at all if we weren't obeying. He wouldn't put up much of a fight if we were partially obeying. He fights hard, and dirty and relentlessly when we are following in God's steps, when God is about to win a victory.
For most of us, these thoughts are nothing new, nothing we haven't heard in sermons and devotions before, I realize that. As a matter of fact, I heard them in a sermon myself not too long ago. And I'm glad I did because it was there fresh in my mind for God to use to remind me.
I don't know what God plans to do tomorrow. I hope and pray it is something big, that He reveals Himself in this prayer in a gigantic way. I sense that He will. That sense comes from two places, the Holy Spirit's guidance and Satan's frenzied attacks...yes, Satan's attacks are sometimes how you know God is about to work in marvelous ways and may He do so tomorrow.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
It's There, You Just Have To Look in The Right Place
I pray often for God to arrange the circumstances surrounding this prayer so that they are as He needs them to be to answer. It is often frustrating to me to be unable to see how God is doing this and I sometimes wonder if He is. Last night I had the blessing of talking to my original prayer partner in this journey and through that conversation, was able to see that God has already been arranging circumstances to fulfill His vision for this request, I was just looking at the end result instead of the journey itself.
We talked about the beginning and how God called each of us to this prayer. Stephanie mentioned that she now realized how God had been preparing her to join me when I asked. She doesn't follow college football at all, but Tebow's outspoken faith and a life that backs it up caught her attention. She kept tabs on him through college and into the NFL. She knew who he was and could easily join in on a prayer that would allow my kids to meet a modern day hero of our faith. That was God preparing Steph long before I ever asked her to join with me.
I believe I have said this in another post but I'll repeat here. I believe that Tebow being on the Broncos was no coincidence. I believe God took him there for this very reason. He played for a team I am a fanatic for. Had he been on another team, I seriously doubt he would have been the topic of discussion the way he was in our devotions, I wouldn't have paid much attention to him, other than he was a strong Christian, had he played for another team. He becomes the starting quarterback the year I have this particular group of kids, ones who want to be used of God. He takes Denver from a 1-4 record into the post season, this year affording me the opportunity to share with my students the impact God has on those around us when we live for Him. Fifteen days after UNINTIMIDATED was begun, he was traded to the Jets. God wanted these kids to become prayer warriors for him and waited until they were before He moved Tebow on. God was definitely arranging circumstances for me to begin this prayer and for UNINTIMIDATED to be started.
When I pray for us to meet Tebow, I always include Stephanie and her family in that request. As we moved into summer God showed me that in order for that to happen school needed to be out so her children could travel. This was one possible reason He gave me for waiting until summer. As I shared that with Steph last night, she realized that for the first time she could recall school was starting after Labor Day...affording more time than usual for them to travel...is this God arranging circumstances, could be.
The last thing I'll share happened last night as I prayed. I asked God to do something in the next 24 hours to bring us closer to a fulfillment. I then asked for a possible indication that He was working. I asked Him for knowledge of what it was He did, or at least a 'token for good' that HE was working and mentioned that maybe a news article on MSN would work since there had been none on him in quite awhile. Right before I went to bed, I looked at the news page and there it was, an article about Tebow. Even more convincing that this was God is the fact that the article wasn't on the site this morning. God is indeed working, even today, to arrange the circumstances.
It's funny how here I've been begging God to do something to bring about an answer and getting frustrated because I couldn't see Him doing it and here all along He's been doing just that. I couldn't see it because I wasn't looking in the right places. When we pray, God does answer but often not the way we thought or expected Him to. Afterall, His thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways are not our ways but He is working and we can see it if we'll just look in the right place.
We talked about the beginning and how God called each of us to this prayer. Stephanie mentioned that she now realized how God had been preparing her to join me when I asked. She doesn't follow college football at all, but Tebow's outspoken faith and a life that backs it up caught her attention. She kept tabs on him through college and into the NFL. She knew who he was and could easily join in on a prayer that would allow my kids to meet a modern day hero of our faith. That was God preparing Steph long before I ever asked her to join with me.
I believe I have said this in another post but I'll repeat here. I believe that Tebow being on the Broncos was no coincidence. I believe God took him there for this very reason. He played for a team I am a fanatic for. Had he been on another team, I seriously doubt he would have been the topic of discussion the way he was in our devotions, I wouldn't have paid much attention to him, other than he was a strong Christian, had he played for another team. He becomes the starting quarterback the year I have this particular group of kids, ones who want to be used of God. He takes Denver from a 1-4 record into the post season, this year affording me the opportunity to share with my students the impact God has on those around us when we live for Him. Fifteen days after UNINTIMIDATED was begun, he was traded to the Jets. God wanted these kids to become prayer warriors for him and waited until they were before He moved Tebow on. God was definitely arranging circumstances for me to begin this prayer and for UNINTIMIDATED to be started.
When I pray for us to meet Tebow, I always include Stephanie and her family in that request. As we moved into summer God showed me that in order for that to happen school needed to be out so her children could travel. This was one possible reason He gave me for waiting until summer. As I shared that with Steph last night, she realized that for the first time she could recall school was starting after Labor Day...affording more time than usual for them to travel...is this God arranging circumstances, could be.
The last thing I'll share happened last night as I prayed. I asked God to do something in the next 24 hours to bring us closer to a fulfillment. I then asked for a possible indication that He was working. I asked Him for knowledge of what it was He did, or at least a 'token for good' that HE was working and mentioned that maybe a news article on MSN would work since there had been none on him in quite awhile. Right before I went to bed, I looked at the news page and there it was, an article about Tebow. Even more convincing that this was God is the fact that the article wasn't on the site this morning. God is indeed working, even today, to arrange the circumstances.
It's funny how here I've been begging God to do something to bring about an answer and getting frustrated because I couldn't see Him doing it and here all along He's been doing just that. I couldn't see it because I wasn't looking in the right places. When we pray, God does answer but often not the way we thought or expected Him to. Afterall, His thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways are not our ways but He is working and we can see it if we'll just look in the right place.
Monday, July 16, 2012
A Wild Imagination
There's a musical group in Ireland called the Rend Collective. This is a group of Christian musicians and singers who spend time together worshiping God. From this time, they have produced an album. Not too long ago I was listening to an interview with one of the group members and in his response to a song on the CD, he said that God is not safe and that He has a wild imagination. That thought about God's wild imagination has come to mind on more than one occasion and it was certainly on my mind tonight as I prayed.
Have any of you who have been praying with us ever stopped and considered how utterly impossible this request is, that the way we are going about this absolutely makes no sense? This is something I've known in my head since the beginning and every once in awhile God breaks through to my heart with it. Tonight I really began thinking about it. There is no humanly way possible for this request to be answered. I don't know Tim Tebow, don't know anyone who does. I live no where near New York, he receives thousands of requests a day through his foundation, through media, mail, his Face Book page. He has a website managed by a team to schedule his speaking engagements...he doesn't usually even do that himself. I personally have written two letters on behalf of this request and a few other people have written as well. The Tim Tebow Foundation has not received more than 10 letters, if even that many, on behalf of this request. Seriously, what are the odds of him seeing even one of them? When God brought me this challenge, He said to ask Him, not to ask the media, not to ask Face Book, YouTube or Twitter in a video campaign and to not undertake a letter-writing campaign so I haven't. Let's face it folks, this is crazy, it's not how one goes about getting the attention of Tim Tebow and yet this is exactly what God said to do. Still doubting God has a wild imagination? Who else would simply say, "Ask Me to meet Tim Tebow and see what I can do."
There is no way possible for any of us to take any credit for meeting Tim Tebow when it happens and I think that is God's point. The answering of this prayer will not make sense to a lost world, but it should make every kind of sense to a child of God. Luke 1:37 says it best, "For with God, nothing shall be in possible." Not even a wild idea like expecting to meet Tim Tebow simply because we asked God and no one else.
Have any of you who have been praying with us ever stopped and considered how utterly impossible this request is, that the way we are going about this absolutely makes no sense? This is something I've known in my head since the beginning and every once in awhile God breaks through to my heart with it. Tonight I really began thinking about it. There is no humanly way possible for this request to be answered. I don't know Tim Tebow, don't know anyone who does. I live no where near New York, he receives thousands of requests a day through his foundation, through media, mail, his Face Book page. He has a website managed by a team to schedule his speaking engagements...he doesn't usually even do that himself. I personally have written two letters on behalf of this request and a few other people have written as well. The Tim Tebow Foundation has not received more than 10 letters, if even that many, on behalf of this request. Seriously, what are the odds of him seeing even one of them? When God brought me this challenge, He said to ask Him, not to ask the media, not to ask Face Book, YouTube or Twitter in a video campaign and to not undertake a letter-writing campaign so I haven't. Let's face it folks, this is crazy, it's not how one goes about getting the attention of Tim Tebow and yet this is exactly what God said to do. Still doubting God has a wild imagination? Who else would simply say, "Ask Me to meet Tim Tebow and see what I can do."
There is no way possible for any of us to take any credit for meeting Tim Tebow when it happens and I think that is God's point. The answering of this prayer will not make sense to a lost world, but it should make every kind of sense to a child of God. Luke 1:37 says it best, "For with God, nothing shall be in possible." Not even a wild idea like expecting to meet Tim Tebow simply because we asked God and no one else.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Be Thou My Vision
The whole idea of discussing this request with God rather than demanding things of Him has lead to some interesting discussions in my prayers. It has made me go back and re-examine why it is God said to ask.
I have become rather curious, almost consumed, with why it is God said to ask. What is it that He wants to accomplish by answering this prayer. There is something big God wants to do, I can sense that as I pray, but what? I have said on several occassions, in both my blogs and to my kids, that there is great spiritual potential here for God to work...if we let Him. In recent days, I have begun to pray for God's vision to be fulfilled. And yes, I have asked Him to share what that vision would be. He keeps leading me to the verse in Ephesians that says, "now unto Him that is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that you can think or ask..." that leads me to believe God has big plans, plans way beyond what I've been asking Him for. Don't get me wrong, I believe with all my heart that the Holy Spirit led me to ask for many of those things. I believe He wants to leave a memorial of prayer for our school. I believe He wants to become the God of our Bible to each of us, I truly think He wants this as an anchor, proof for these kids to someday hold onto as they face praying in impossible situations. I don't think I've been asking for the wrong things, I just don't think I've grasped His vision for what it is He wants to accomplish in this; and the truth is, I may not be able fully to grasp it, the verse does say He can do so much more than I can even think...
So I have begun to pray not only to have God's passions and desires for this request, but also to have as much of His vision as He wants me to have. I have begun to pray that He instills in my heart and in those of my kids a deep desire to see God do all that He wants in this request.
Funny sidenote...not too long ago, I asked God to re-awaken and stir up the excitement I felt for this request back during the school year, to anticipate an answer each day. Here lately when I pray I begin to imagine what God will possibly do, and then I remember that God wants to do so much more than I am asking. I get excited and find myself anticipating an answer just so I can see what all He has planned...God does indeed answer prayer, and often in ways we weren't expecting.
I have become rather curious, almost consumed, with why it is God said to ask. What is it that He wants to accomplish by answering this prayer. There is something big God wants to do, I can sense that as I pray, but what? I have said on several occassions, in both my blogs and to my kids, that there is great spiritual potential here for God to work...if we let Him. In recent days, I have begun to pray for God's vision to be fulfilled. And yes, I have asked Him to share what that vision would be. He keeps leading me to the verse in Ephesians that says, "now unto Him that is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that you can think or ask..." that leads me to believe God has big plans, plans way beyond what I've been asking Him for. Don't get me wrong, I believe with all my heart that the Holy Spirit led me to ask for many of those things. I believe He wants to leave a memorial of prayer for our school. I believe He wants to become the God of our Bible to each of us, I truly think He wants this as an anchor, proof for these kids to someday hold onto as they face praying in impossible situations. I don't think I've been asking for the wrong things, I just don't think I've grasped His vision for what it is He wants to accomplish in this; and the truth is, I may not be able fully to grasp it, the verse does say He can do so much more than I can even think...
So I have begun to pray not only to have God's passions and desires for this request, but also to have as much of His vision as He wants me to have. I have begun to pray that He instills in my heart and in those of my kids a deep desire to see God do all that He wants in this request.
Funny sidenote...not too long ago, I asked God to re-awaken and stir up the excitement I felt for this request back during the school year, to anticipate an answer each day. Here lately when I pray I begin to imagine what God will possibly do, and then I remember that God wants to do so much more than I am asking. I get excited and find myself anticipating an answer just so I can see what all He has planned...God does indeed answer prayer, and often in ways we weren't expecting.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Angry Birds and God's Promises
My classroom 'theme' for next year is going to be Angry Birds, it seems appropriate since I get to be the high school math teacher. Anyway, I have designed a rewards program for my students based on earning different birds. The basis of the reward program is doing homework. Earning each level of bird depends on them faithfully completing homework. Why design a reward system that greatly rewards homework and not tests or quizzes? One, I want them to do their homework, so why not give them an incentive to do it and then reward them when they do? Second, their success in math rests in great part on homework, this is where they practice on their own what I've taught them. It gives both them and me an idea of what they really understand and what needs to be re-taught. If they are unable to do the problems in homework, they will not know how to solve them on quizzes and tests...places where the grades are pivotal to passing the course.
When you think about it, that's what God's promises of answered prayer to us are...an incentive and reward program. God wants us to pray, so He encourages us to do so by promising us answers when we do as He asks. Prayer is such a vital component to our spiritual lives. God wants us to pray, it's how we'll pass the tests that come our way. Prayer is where we find out what God wants, it's where our hurts are healed, it's how we tap into God's power, it's where we find courage and strength and it's how He gets things done. If we become successful prayer warriors, we will accomplish great things with God.
Those days before Matthew 18:19 became God's promise to me were good days of prayer, but let me say that once I had that promise, it became SO much easier and more exciting to pray...I had something to work towards, I had an incentive to keep praying and to guard the prayer, to make doubly sure that the Holy Spirit was directing the prayer. God would answer, if I did my part...just like my students being rewarded for doing their part.
My students will get pretty cool charts based off the Angry Birds characters to help keep track their progress...do you suppose God has pretty cool Angry Bird charts for us, to help keep track of our progress in our prayers?
When you think about it, that's what God's promises of answered prayer to us are...an incentive and reward program. God wants us to pray, so He encourages us to do so by promising us answers when we do as He asks. Prayer is such a vital component to our spiritual lives. God wants us to pray, it's how we'll pass the tests that come our way. Prayer is where we find out what God wants, it's where our hurts are healed, it's how we tap into God's power, it's where we find courage and strength and it's how He gets things done. If we become successful prayer warriors, we will accomplish great things with God.
Those days before Matthew 18:19 became God's promise to me were good days of prayer, but let me say that once I had that promise, it became SO much easier and more exciting to pray...I had something to work towards, I had an incentive to keep praying and to guard the prayer, to make doubly sure that the Holy Spirit was directing the prayer. God would answer, if I did my part...just like my students being rewarded for doing their part.
My students will get pretty cool charts based off the Angry Birds characters to help keep track their progress...do you suppose God has pretty cool Angry Bird charts for us, to help keep track of our progress in our prayers?
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Discuss, Not Demand
"And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us, and if we know that He heareth us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions we desired of Him." I John 5:14-15
As God's silence continues, Satan has been on the warpath. His latest attacks have been on whether or not this request really is God's will...after all, it would seem that if God really did tell me to ask for this He would answer...at least that's what the above verses state. Once again, the study portion of my Bible lent some insights into this verse that have helped me clarify when I am praying in God's will or in my own.
Our prayers should not be a time of us demanding from God what we want, that would be praying according to our will. Rather, our prayers should be times of discussing with God what He wants done, that would be praying according to His will. This means I tell God what is I would like and let Him have a chance to voice His opinion on the matter. This means I have to give Him a chance to talk, not just throw prayers in His direction and go on my way. If I'll spend the time discussing with God what it is He wants, I am much more likely to know His mind in the matter and to be praying in His will. If I am praying in His will, He'll not only hear those requests, but He'll answer them as well.
As I look back at the prayers I have offered up, I can definitely see times where I demanded what I wanted and those typically ended in a battle of wills. I think back on the time when Tebow was traded to the Jets. That was a time I definitely was demanding from God what I wanted. I got into a battle of wills with God and nearly quit. When I quit shouting my demands at God long enough to let Him talk back, He showed me Tebow being a Bronco was not what He wanted and that if I was going to demand that then I would run the risk of the kids not meeting him. Discussion was definitely a better route because it put me in line with what He wanted and allowed Him to continue to work on behalf of this request.
I can see, even now, as I am writing this that I have been demanding Him to either explain why the silence or to end it. God is never obligated to defend His actions to me or give me a reason why He's doing what He's doing, but He might be more willing to share a little if I start discussing this with Him. I just might find out what He wants accomplished in the silence.
I know that from the beginning, asking God to allow my kids to meet Tebow has been a discussion between us. The day He told me to ask, we had a rather long one. While there have been times since that I have made demands of Him, the actual request to meet Tebow never was. This request has always been what He wanted and, as such, has a promise in the above verses of being fulfilled.
As God's silence continues, Satan has been on the warpath. His latest attacks have been on whether or not this request really is God's will...after all, it would seem that if God really did tell me to ask for this He would answer...at least that's what the above verses state. Once again, the study portion of my Bible lent some insights into this verse that have helped me clarify when I am praying in God's will or in my own.
Our prayers should not be a time of us demanding from God what we want, that would be praying according to our will. Rather, our prayers should be times of discussing with God what He wants done, that would be praying according to His will. This means I tell God what is I would like and let Him have a chance to voice His opinion on the matter. This means I have to give Him a chance to talk, not just throw prayers in His direction and go on my way. If I'll spend the time discussing with God what it is He wants, I am much more likely to know His mind in the matter and to be praying in His will. If I am praying in His will, He'll not only hear those requests, but He'll answer them as well.
As I look back at the prayers I have offered up, I can definitely see times where I demanded what I wanted and those typically ended in a battle of wills. I think back on the time when Tebow was traded to the Jets. That was a time I definitely was demanding from God what I wanted. I got into a battle of wills with God and nearly quit. When I quit shouting my demands at God long enough to let Him talk back, He showed me Tebow being a Bronco was not what He wanted and that if I was going to demand that then I would run the risk of the kids not meeting him. Discussion was definitely a better route because it put me in line with what He wanted and allowed Him to continue to work on behalf of this request.
I can see, even now, as I am writing this that I have been demanding Him to either explain why the silence or to end it. God is never obligated to defend His actions to me or give me a reason why He's doing what He's doing, but He might be more willing to share a little if I start discussing this with Him. I just might find out what He wants accomplished in the silence.
I know that from the beginning, asking God to allow my kids to meet Tebow has been a discussion between us. The day He told me to ask, we had a rather long one. While there have been times since that I have made demands of Him, the actual request to meet Tebow never was. This request has always been what He wanted and, as such, has a promise in the above verses of being fulfilled.
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