Author Archives: Paula

A Prayer For Healing

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Having illness in our lives can lead to discouragement. Whether it’s a common cold keeping us from being fully productive, a more lengthy and serious illness, or recovery from surgery, we can take our requests for healing and wholeness to God. His love and power work according to his will. Seek him and find him.

 

Dear God,prayer word

I feel broken and I seem to make this illness a definition of myself.

I know it’s not. I know there’s a whole person here-in body, mind and spirit.

But sometimes it seems my mind and body betray me, so wholeness isn’t how I feel.

I know you understand; this pain and anguish.

I know you are the Power that can make me whole.

Because you are truth. You are love. You are miracles.

I’m willing to let go now and release this condition to you.

I believe your will for me most of all is acceptance.

I accept your love. I accept your will and any outcome.

I accept your deliverance, which will help me to see that I am me, not my illness.

Amen

God’s Surprise Messengers

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I went in for the scheduled oil change and learned something.

I already know I should get regular oil changes and top off those fluid levels. My late father was an auto mechanic, so if there’s anything he would preach as car maintenance religion, it’s that. But on this particular day, my van also underwent a transmission fluid flush and fill.

Now that all sounds pretty normal, but what might not seem so usual is that a woman was handling all this. When the process was explained to me, she did it. When I had questions, she answered them. There were a couple of guys around, but she was right on top of things, helping me understand what they were doing and how I should follow up. (Although I have to admit when she talked about my torque converter, she lost me.)3d white people leaning back against a question mark

My point, and I do have one, is that I was shown once again that I can learn from the most unlikely sources. I’m not sexist, but this was so new to me. It never occurred to me that a woman would know about torque converters. She may not have great knowledge in other areas, but she surely knew auto maintenance.

Likewise, I should never underestimate who God chooses to use in my life to see what it is he wants me to see.

I sat in a 12-step meeting once watching a man come in, sit down, say his name and pass at his turn to speak every single week for months. I honestly wondered if he was getting it. Then one night it came his turn and after telling us his name, he told us what was on his heart. He made so much sense, I sat there stunned.

Silly me, thinking one has to have years of spiritual maturity to make sense.

If God can use a donkey to set one of his people straight (see Numbers 22), I guess he can use anyone. Where I’m slow to learn, someone else may have great wisdom for me. I hope I never underestimate the power of God’s word through the people he places in my path.

When The Enemy Weasels In

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“Around, around the cobbler’s bench, the monkey chased the weasel.
The monkey thought ‘twas all in fun. POP! goes the weasel.”classic Jack in box

As I turned the crank on my grandson’s jack-in-the-box, it played that familiar song. Like a little kid who had never played with such a toy, I was startled when the clown popped out of the lid. My daughter-in-law had been watching and laughed.

“You always know he’s coming,” she said, “but somehow he always surprises you.”

Yes, I had been caught, but I think it’s a natural thing. The little guy does seem to spring out of nowhere. I guess that’s the point.

Later, I thought of how Satan, the enemy, works the same way. I’m just going along, when all of a sudden I realize there’s something wrong. That haunting melody of lies is playing in my head and I feel out of sorts.

Everything seems to be falling apart. I can’t concentrate when I pray. My best Christian friends are getting on my nerves. My confidence is flagging.

Oh… I get it…I’m under spiritual attack.

The Bible says we should “Be self-controlled and alert.(our) enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). It’s possible for me to let my guard down with Satan taking full advantage of the situation. Sometimes by the time I recognize the culprit he’s already pounced, robbing me of joy and peace.

Jesus told his followers that the enemy is a murderer and a liar. Lying is his native tongue. What is he killing and with what does he try to accomplish the kill? Here are a few of the taunts he’ll use as ammunition:

• You’re inadequate (as a Christian, mother, husband, employee, etc.)
• God can’t forgive that sin
• People are out to get you
• It’s okay to indulge this one time
• Your attempts to succeed will fail

Recognizing the lies means the difference between victory and defeat. Knowing the difference between his condemning voice and Holy Spirit conviction is key.

ex cu woman prayingThose in Christ Jesus are no longer condemned but live under grace. God examines our hearts and we can turn to him to discover truth to any message we suspect may be a lie. We don’t need to go looking for the enemy under every rock, but we ought to be aware of his schemes. If we recognize that we’re truly under attack, we stand firm and claim truth. We can also call on a trusted friend to stand with us in prayer.

In addition, there’s no substitute for wearing our spiritual armor (Ephesians 6:13-18).

If the enemy is toying with you, like the little clown did who jumped up at me, slam down the lid and walk away. “Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).

Satan needs to be reminded that we know he’s a liar. He knows that he is powerless when we live in the power of Jesus Christ.

Unity and Love: What Jesus Prayed For

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Thom Rainer blogs every day about leadership in the church. Many times his topic is meant for the whole body, not just leaders.

That’s the case with this post. I felt compelled to share it, because when we consider our membership in a local church, it should be apparent that in some way, we are all leaders. Jesus meant for us to be examples reflecting Him in the world.

Mr. Rainer has many years of experience in church leadership and assisting churches revitalize and deal with change, something the Church needs today. His posts are always thought-provoking for me and that’s why he’s in my blogroll.

God bless you and may you be a blessing to someone today.

Jonah and a Big-Mouthed Fish

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While waiting for my appointment with a doctor, I picked up a Highlights magazine from the table beside me. I don’t often read magazines for children, but this one caught my eye because of a cover blurb.

“Whoa! Whale Sharks,” it said.

The article in the February 2015 issue was fascinating. As I read it, I began to wonder if perhaps this huge fish wasn’t of the species God chose to swallow Jonah. When I was growing up, our Sunday school teachers gave us flannel graph lessons and explained this reluctant prophet’s story as “Jonah and the Whale.” But ‘whale’ isn’t the animal name given in the Bible. (Jonah 1:17, emphasis mine)

The King James Version says, “Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah.”

The New International Version reads: “Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah.”

Yet another version, the New Revised Standard Version, says “But the Lord provided a large fish to swallow up Jonah.”

Even more interesting language comes in the English Standard Version: “And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah.”

I guess, even aside from the verb used to say how the fish came into the story, it’s obvious that this is not a whale, but a fish. Scripture also makes it clear that God caused this to happen.

The basic information about whale sharks is agreed upon from research which scientists have done on them. For perspective, a whale shark is about the size of a school bus so it could easily hold a man in its belly.

Most of us were captivated by the story of Jonah when we were children. It’s even captivating when we’re adults with the very idea that someone survived inside a fish for three days and three nights.

Some people don’t believe the story is true. But God never answers all the questions we have about what happens in the Bible. Scripture includes lots of mysteries.

Perhaps the mystery of what kind of great/huge/large fish swallowed Jonah will never be known. But I think it’s nice to have whale sharks as a possible answer to where Jonah spent three days in the dark as he came to his senses and decided to obey the Lord.

A Foolproof GPS

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I pulled into the bank drive-through behind a car bearing a license plate reading WEARAMI.

Giving the motorist the benefit of the doubt on how to spell ‘where,’ I credited her with creatively conveying a message of confusion within a seven-letter limit.

Waiting behind her, I applied the question to my life in general and to my position as a Christ follower in particular. Here’s a list of proofs from scripture that show me where I am insofar as God is concerned. I am:

Close to his heart (Isaiah 40:11)
United with Christ (1 Corinthians 6:17)
Connected to him by his love (Romans 8: 38, 39)
Seated with him in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 2:6)
Following close on his heels (John 10:27)
Upheld by his righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10)Sony gps

Perhaps if that woman had a global positioning system (GPS) in her car, she wouldn’t doubt her whereabouts. But even then, a GPS is a computer. Computers are only as intelligent as they’ve been programmed to be. For instance, a GPS doesn’t ‘know’ that the route for which it gave instructions has a detour now because of a barricade at an accident site.

While traveling with friends who relied on their GPS, it happened that every time we returned to the hotel, the GPS’s final direction led us into a hedge.

A GPS is not foolproof.

But God’s Positioning System is foolproof. When he says, “I will never leave you,” we can trust him.
Even better than knowing where we stand, is knowing God always has his eye on us.

“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him” (2 Chronicles 16:9).

And if his eye is on the sparrows, I know he watches me.

That Elusive “Calling”

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 cu man praying

 

 

God’s call often starts with curiosity. Curiosity leads to interest,

interest to information, then you get understanding.

Then understanding will lead to the meaning of what he is asking of you.

God will give you the assurance that this thing

is a real possibility for you.

Then you share your assurance with others,

look into the Bible, and pray for the Holy Spirit’s leading.

It will become conviction if, of course,

God wants this for you. Conviction will bring you to commitment.

Then there is no retreat unless of course, you decide to disobey.

Some do. Those that do not, receive what has been promised.

          Taken from “Gateway to Joy” with Elisabeth Elliot

woman bw praying

Why I Don’t Go To Church

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I don’t go to church because I feel comfortable there. It’s true I’ve found a home with my congregation, often coming away feeling comforted. But God shows me in a variety of ways how complacent I can become. He’s not as concerned with my comfort as with my spiritual growth.

 

I don’t go to church so I can hang out with good people. Among my associations at church, there are people who’ve been following Christ for years; others who are new believers. I also know a few who are nonbelievers. And even in my large congregation, not one of us is totally good.

I don’t go to church to fulfill my duty. While scripture encourages us to keep in the habit of meeting together, I know there will be times when I can’t be present. On the days when I am able, I come from a God-given desire, not out of guilt.

I don’t go to church to hear the great music. My church, over the years, has offered a variety of musical styles. Whether or not I like the style, my concern isn’t with the music itself, but with the words accompanying it. Within this context, I want to exalt His name.st glass window

I don’t go to church to hear a fabulous speaker. I’m fortunate that the ones in charge of presenting the message at my church are articulate and able to hold my interest. They’re trained to do what they do. But I know God can use anyone to present Truth, regardless of eloquence or religious training.

I don’t go to church because I have nothing better to do. Some days when my mood or energy level is low, sleeping in seems the better thing to do. But I’ve learned that the better thing should never keep me from doing the best thing.

Five Ways to Gain Wisdom

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wisdom road sign“For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding (Proverbs 2:6).

A former professor of mine told our class, “Sometimes common sense isn’t so common.” I don’t remember to what he was referring and I don’t know if the comment was original with him. He could have been quoting someone.

But I believe he was right.

Even more than a need to use common sense, however, is the need for what might be called uncommon sense. Wisdom.

Wisdom, by definition, is the right use of knowledge. So how do we get wisdom and what are some steps we can take to practice godly wisdom?

Know God

Scripture says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10). Our ability to put wisdom into practice increases when we know God’s character. Knowing God’s character, we come to trust him more and our relationship with him deepens. We better understand his purposes and his ways so we make choices that are in alignment with his will.

Know God’s Word

In addition to knowing God through prayer and meditation, reading scripture can give us wisdom. Every story, proverb, and teaching includes principles for us to live by. The apostle Paul advised the church in Colossae, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, with gratitude in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:16).

God’s word dwelling in us means that it lives in us, becoming part of us. Then, our minds are constantly tuned to the things of God.

Know Well a Few Key People

Members of the body of Christ also help us in our ability to apply wisdom to the choices we make. Other Christ followers can help us by pointing out those things they’ve learned in their walk with the Lord.

“Let him who is not in community beware of being alone. If you scorn the fellowship of the brethren, you reject the call of Jesus Christ, and thus your solitude can only be hurtful to you.” (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, “Life Together”)

Know What Wisdom Looks Like

Scripture says, “The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness” (James 3:17, 18).

These character attributes will increasingly become evident in our decisions as we increase in wisdom. This is godly wisdom–wisdom from heaven. We can be more sure of making godly decisions if we use these criteria.

Know How to Ask

God has promised for those who ask sincerely without doubting that their prayers for wisdom will be answered (James 1:5). In fact, his word says wisdom will be given generously.

Father, I know that without your Spirit working in me, I’m a stranger to godly wisdom. Even when I pray for wisdom, it shows that you’re making me wiser. I know that putting wisdom into practice is an ongoing lesson in my journey. Please keep me on the path.