Have you ever tried to get ketchup out of the bottle? I mean, the real bottle, not the plastic variety where you can squeeze it hard and it spurts out.
The glass-bottled ketchup was so impertinent, they made up a phrase, “The best things come to those who wait.”
I’ve waited for a lot of things in my life: I’ve waited for kids to be healed physically; I’ve waited to be fully accepted by friends; I’ve waited for breakthrough; I’ve waited for God to direct my paths; I’ve waited for things I dream of to come true; I’ve waited for God to change people; I’ve waited to be changed by God. For some of these, I still wait.
Scripture doesn’t shy back from addressing people in wait, those on month one of a ten-month delivery process.
Scripture tells “waiters”, like me:
“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Is. 40:31)
“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14)
“The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.” (La. 3:25)
“But as for me, I will look to the Lord. I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.” (Mi. 7:7)
Waits don’t equate to: You’ve messed up so much that God is withholding from you. You haven’t prayed enough so you better work up some loud prayers that put sweat on your brow. You’re always going to be this way. You’re a loser.
Waits don’t absolutely mean you’ve been disobedient; they could mean that God has a better plan. And, that you’ve been faithful.
Sometimes, I figure if I’m waiting, it is my fault. That is not always the case.
Instead, in waits God has for me: more strength; “great” all up in that thing that feels like a horrible wait; rest so I can run in the future; a listening ear and His faithfulness as Savior.
Be encouraged, your wait doesn’t mean you are late; it means that the God who is great, has something even better in store for you. Taste and see that the Lord is good. The best things come to those who wait!
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What do you do when your years-long prayers haven’t been answered?
When people haven’t been there for you the way you hoped?
When the enemy keeps hitting you when you’re down?
When you feel worn out?
When you are starting to get angry?
When people don’t understand?
When a little part in you wants to give way to sadness?
When things that you thought made sense about God seem questionable?
When you may be jaded because of what you’ve seen in church?
Paul in the bible understands:
“Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.” (2 Cor. 11:24-28)
Did Paul give up? Did he shrink back? No.
How do we persevere? Mentally, we can think these three thoughts:
1. “As I persevere, that gives way for God’s promises to appear.”
“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. (Heb. 10:36)
There is light on the other side of your tunnel; don’t get discouraged now. Keep going in the will of God, to the glory of God. He is faithful.
2. “My time is short and my King is coming! Shrinking back is not pleasing to The Lord!”
“…In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.
“…But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.” (Heb. 10:37-38)
3. I have faith and I will be saved! I trust Christ Jesus to accomplish the work on earth or in heaven.
“But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.” (Heb 10:39)
Friends, now is not the hour to shrink back; now is the hour to trust God. Some of us have been under such mighty attacks or times of repeated trauma that the pain seems more real than God’s promises. Don’t sweat it, just look higher. Just because hard things have happened time and time again does not mean that Jesus, the Savior, will not swoop in to save. He is ready to save. He is Savior. It’s His business. Be encouraged. Keep up the good fight of faith. Sometimes, the hard things may feel like we have done something wrong, but He who makes everything beautiful in its time — is faithful.
How can I pray for you? My family and I want to lift your needs up in prayer. I will not be commenting back to everyone, but we will be praying over each request.
Love you! Don’t shrink back.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Gal. 6:9)
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I desperately needed coffee! In line to get one at a store, a man rolled up next to me. I noticed his leg. It rested on a leg crutch with wheels. In my mind, I stood at high alert. Why? Because the last time I got coffee from this place, the exact same thing happened. A man rolled up on the same sort of crutch cart. It was odd. The other man’s leg was pulled back just like this man’s leg. Both men were directly in front of me.
What’s the chance?
When I see things repeat themselves like this – in a way that defies norms – I usually take heed and pray to see if God wants me to realize something or do anything.
In this case, I prayed and didn’t know why this was happening, so I decided to talk to the young man.
I asked him, “Is your leg okay?”
“Yes,” he stated. “I am in the army. I fell out of a helicopter, hit the ground and crushed my leg in the fall.”
Ouch. Oh my….
He went on, “But, it’s actually great because I get to spend time with my family.”
I couldn’t help but notice his radical optimism.
“Wow,” I said.
He went on to tell me that he’d had multiple surgeries, and was healing from the latest one, but that he was “thankful to have grown a beard through all this.”
His blind optimism was shaking me to the core.
Here was a man who was serving his country. Here was a man risking his life for our freedom. Here was a man giving his very best. And, here was a man who had a terrible accident, a leg out of order and in pain — and he was giving thanks?
Wow.
I asked him where his optimism comes from.
He said he calls it, “reframing”. Meaning, he sees the good in the bad.
I wonder if he knew that what he was doing – was biblical…
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thess. 5:18)
With God, there is always a silver lining to be found. There is always a new way of seeing things. There is always a hopeful vantage point. Do we run to see from this place? I can’t say I always do, but this man inspires me.
In Christ, there is always hope!
Prayer: Father, thank you for the continual hope we find in Jesus Christ. Thank you that there is no person or situation too far gone. Thank you that all things are possible for those who believe. Thank you that you can always do the impossible. Give us eyes to see your goodness. Give us spiritual understanding in all the small happenings of our lives. May joy overflow from our thanksgiving. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
I sent her a text. I waited days for a response. Finally, a somewhat monotone sounding voice-text would come through, perhaps asking me a question. A month later, something similar would happen again. Two months after, I’d do it all over. Usually, an “I’m-sorry-I’m-busy” reply would show up from the recipient. The first time this happened, that kind of reply made sense. The fifth time? Not as much.
Overlooking offense, like an excited puppy, I kept ignoring her repeatable pattern. After all, I love this woman; I really do. I care for her a lot and have wonderful memories with her. So, I overlooked the fact that she kept pushing me off, that she was not honoring my time, and that she was often replying in a distant monotone voice. Add that to the fact that, after I listened to her message and quickly replied back with my own heart-wide-open response…
…I got no response back from her. Dead air. Silence.
That is hard. Why do I keep subjecting myself to this?
This morning I woke up with a question that hit like a brick: “What am I, a fool?”
To keep repeating the same cycles to one’s own injury is foolish. To keep subjecting oneself, like an indebted servant, to someone else’s passive-aggressiveness is foolish.
“As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness.” (Pr. 26:11)
Why do I keep partaking in the foolishness of winning this woman over when she’s making it clear as day that she’s not interested?
I’m like a fool returning to its idiotic folly. But, why? Why do I return? Why do I keep seeking to win over people who don’t want me?
During my prayer time, I sought the Lord. “God, why do I act like a fool, continually subjecting myself to repeated pain?”
I felt the answer come clear as day, “Kelly, you believe what they are doing is a proclamation or a reflection of who you are. You have to fix that, or else…”
I understood then and there that I feel I have to change them to feel good — about me. I have to win them over. I have to make them love me. I have to stick with them until I am worthy so I feel worthy. I have to make sure they see me as a something so I don’t have to feel like a nothing. I have to make sure they never treat me as impersonal or distant, lest I be unwanted.
Wow. When did I allow man’s words and actions to have more power than God’s Word and actions? When did I give man so much power over me? When did I lose the calling of God to make my mission to win over the affection of man?
Ick. Jesus didn’t do this.
Jesus went to the cross, despite man’s criticism of Him as the Son of God. He carried on with His mission despite the condemnation about how He healed on the Sabbath. Jesus remembered He was the Son of God, despite the name-calling He experienced. But, imagine? What if Jesus allowed other people’s actions to define Him? He likely would not have fulfilled HIs destiny — crucifixion, resurrection, and salvation for all the believers in the entire world. We cannot look at man! But, do we?
Have we given in to man’s words in such a way that we have subtly given up on God’s cause? Have we become a slave to winning people over more than trusting Jesus who won all freedom on the cross? Have we become a victim to a slave master who tells us we have to fix people in order to be loved or to be happy?
God gives us another way. It is:
Forget what they say!
Forget what they do!
People’s actions are no proclamation over you!
For it is God — who speaks over you!
You are wanted!
Chosen!
Called!
Forgiven.
Empowered by grace!
Equipped for every good work!
Valuable.
Wanted.
Loved.
Today is the line-in-the-sand day when we:
Forget all the foolishness! If that person doesn’t love you, want you or choose you — so what?! That’s not your issue, that’s their issue! God still loves you, wants you and chooses you.
Even more, He is lining up new relationships and new horizons that will speak volumes over those old hurts. Hope again. He has good things for you.
You are His special child. He cares so greatly for you that you don’t have to go chasing after people who keep hurting you.
Prayer: Father, I forgive those who keep hurting me. I also ask you to forgive me for serving and catering to man over you. Forgive me for making a mission out of trying to win people over. I release and surrender these people to you. I serve You and Your will first and foremost. I repent of subjecting myself to continual hurt when You haven’t called me to. I come under Your truth about me (I am loved, wanted, called, helped, not left as an orphan), more than I absorb other people’s words and actions as proclamations of my worth. I am loved and adored. Please help me to know this and help me to be more and more in love with You. May Your love fill every hole in my heart. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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I didn’t know my friend and I were about to have this discussion; however, we’re known for having hard discussions. And, she’s going through a lot, and I am too. So, I suppose, her question made great sense.
She asked me, “Kelly, what do you make of attacks and suffering? I’m not sure of my theology about them.”
Are attacks and pain from God or the enemy? Are they something we wish away or gain victory over? Are these situations working for us or are they solely schemes set up against us? Do we have victory over them or do they win our heart over to God? Do we fight or submit to them?
I understood her question. As people, we want to make sense of things. We want our mind to understand. We want every ‘i’ dotted and every ‘t’ crossed when it comes to our theology so that we can stand on it without questions. We want order to what feels chaotic. We want to harness down suffering and trials because they are so wild and reckless. I get it.
I answered her with this: “We cannot put God in a box.”
When it comes to suffering — it is not either/or (Ex. Either, God is good or God is bad.)
When it comes to suffering — it is yes, and…
Yes, this light and momentary affliction is horribly hard and it is producing for us an eternal weight of glory.
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (2 Cor. 4:17)
Yes, the devil attacks and we can be strong in God’s mighty power.
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” (Eph. 6:11)
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” (Eph. 6:10)
Yes, it looks bad and ruined and, yet, God is still working all things together for our good.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
Yes, there are trials and we are becoming fortified with perseverance and character that produces great hope (a very important substance for mountain-moving faith).
“Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” (Ro. 5:3-4)
”Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Heb. 11:1)
Yes, the devil has power over the world and Jesus is victorious.
“Satan, who is the god of this world…” (2 Cor. 4:4)
“No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.” (Ro. 8:37)
Yes, we persist through the trial and God also opens doors through persistent prayers.
In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (Jo. 16:33)
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. (Mt. 7:7-8)
A preeminent and omnipotent God cannot – and should not – be boxed in.
We cannot say: “He either works like ___” or, “He works like ___.”
Frankly, as much as we can’t nail down all His ways, God has every right to work anyway He wants (see: Is. 55:8-9). Humility knows, with God all things and all miracles are possible. It also knows, with God, His grace is enough to give us the power to stand through any storm.
God is always faithful.
Yes, He is infinite, all-powerful, all-knowing and, always, He is working out His best plans for us. He is always able.
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“But as they were loosing the colt, the owners of it said to them, “Why are you loosing the colt?”
And they said, “The Lord has need of him.” Then they brought him to Jesus. And they threw their own clothes on the colt, and they set Jesus on him. And as He went, many spread their clothes on the road.
Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, 38 saying:
“‘Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.” But He answered and said to them, “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.”
(Lu. 19:33-40)
The title of this section of scripture in the bible is called: “The Triumphal Entry of Jesus”.
This is odd, right?
Triumph is Jesus riding in on a colt? Shouldn’t He be on a chariot or a throne?
Triumph is clothes laid on top of a colt as a saddle? Shouldn’t He have a saddle of gold?
Triumph is Jesus walking on clothes down a road? Shouldn’t He walk on a red carpet?
Triumph is being questioned by religious leaders? Shouldn’t they know His heart?
Friends, triumph in the kingdom of God looks nothing like the ways of the world.
Jesus is most triumphant when He is most triumphed in our heart!
“… the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, saying:
“ ‘Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!””
This is triumph! Triumph first happens in our hearts and outlooks before it ever happens in our surroundings or circumstances.
The King of Kings is realized, before us! The Lord of Lords is honored, even in the laying of measly clothes on dirty ground! The Name of the Lord is adored, even as He rides in on measly low-level colt.
My friends, the triumph of God in our lives looks far different than the triumph the world demands and expects.
Don’t ever let that throw you off…. Don’t ever let the worlds ideas of triumph confuse you…
God doesn’t need you to donate large sums of money and to have your name on a plaque to be honored; He just needs your heart. God doesn’t need millions of dollars in order to do some huge worldwide thing; He just needs your small alabastar jar. God doesn’t need you to be a well-known speaker with a hundred-million followers; He just wants a willing vessel ready to talk to the one.
God doesn’t size you up based how many bible verses you have memorized; He loves your heart of adoration.
You can be triumphing, in Christ, and look horrible to everyone else.
You can be triumphing, in Christ, and have the worst clothes ever.
You can be triumphing, in Christ, and look like an idiot and a fool to those around you.
You can be triumphing, in Christ, and be as poor as dirt.
You can be triumphing, in Christ, and be completely misunderstood.
Do not judge triumph by the standards of the world or the standards of the world will yell at you like that Pharisee did. It’ll yell: “Hey, is that God really worthy of being followed?”
Oh, yes He is! Because the triumph of God is different than the ways of the world!
“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us [a]diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things?” (2 Cor. 14-16, NKJV)
Prayer: Father God, I thank you for every single thing you are doing in my life. I thank you that you are my everything, my all-in-all, my Redeemer. I thank you that you are Faithful and True. I thank you that triumph in you looks different than the world. I thank you that you are reigning in all these things. I pray that people can see you in me. I pray that my life would be a living testimony to your goodness. I pray that all my actions, my words and intents would be like a fragrant aroma unto your throne. I thank you that triumph is being fully committed to you. I am committed and will never turn back. Thank you for that. Continue to give me strength to stand firm and to stand strong in you. IN Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Behind every dark cloud still remains — the sun.
Below the depths of the earth — are diamonds formed with pressure.
Blooming at the first gleam of day — are flowers springing open.
Beyond what is seen, God is working in the unseen. Behind darkness is the power of the light of day! It isn’t just coming; it is here!
Although the wait, on some days, is long and agonizing… Although it seems we live a thousand Holy Saturdays wondering if Sunday will come… Although there appears to be no light of hope beyond the dark clouds… Always remember: Good Friday gives way to Resurrection Sunday.
Could you imagine how the disciples felt on Holy Saturday? They may have thought, “Nothing is happening now. What is going on? And, what happened to the One we put all our trust in? We gave this man everything and now He is dead? What are we supposed to do with our lives?”
The situation appeared bleak. They may have felt out of control. Maybe they remembered how they deserted Jesus before His death.
“Then all his disciples deserted him and ran away.” (Mk. 14:50)
They messed up.
Likely, though, they thought little of the great purpose behind Holy Saturday and its tee-up power for Resurrection Sunday! The darkness of Saturday would give-way to glorious Sunday!
That’s what the Light of the World does…
There is no tomb that the light of Christ can’t touch.
There is no darkness that the Son is not behind.
There is no pressure of Earth that God is not working in.
Take hope! Christ has overcome the world; He has saved us for eternity; He has conquered sin and death; He has defeated all darkness; He has made a way where there is no way; He has makes all things new — including you!
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (Jo. 16:33)
Prayer: Father, thank you for sending your Son. We are eternally grateful. We are honored to know, love, serve and to receive Jesus. We thank you that there is always hope. We thank you that there is always the light of day. We thank you for your Son. May we love Him more and more. May we know Him more and more. May we be like Him in all ways. In Jesus’ Name.
Friends, today is my birthday!!! I am an April fool! As a birthday gift, will you pray this prayer (Gal. 2:20) for me?
“Father, I pray that Kelly will be 100% “crucified with Christ (so that she) no longer live(s), but Christ lives in her (and from her). (I pray) the life (she) now lives in the body, (that she will) live by (complete) faith in the Son of God, who love(s) (her) and gave himself for (her).” With this, I pray that Kelly will, not by her power or might, but by the Spirit of God will be 100% completely given over. I pray that all she thinks, hears, does and says will be Jesus. I pray her every move will be submitted to the fullness of Jesus. I pray that she does the great works that Jesus did. And, I pray that her whole life, in every way, will be so overcome by Him that she overflows with Him in all things. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
P.S. *If you want to receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, please reply to this email and let me know. I would like to encourage you and help you in receiving Him.
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“Shh…” is what my insides wanted to yell to the kids upstairs. The last thing I wanted was for them to mess up my friend’s husband’s Zoom call. He needed quiet.
So, we shuttled the kids downstairs.
Before long, the hour passed and the man — done with his video that was conducted one flight above the absolute ball the kids were having downstairs — said he was leaving the house.
Oh no. Did we wreck his call? Were we too loud?
“Bye,” my friend atold him as he headed out the door, adding something like, “I’m glad your Zoom call is done.”
He laughed an odd laugh.
And at this point, I was sure we’d ruined his call. Ugh. That they would never want to have us over again. That he was upset.
Looking at my friend, I asked, “Is he upset?”
“No, he is not upset at all. He just laughs about doing these calls at home.”
I was completely misguided in my interpretation of his laugh. But she understood him because she knew him.
Knowing someone makes all the difference in understanding them. It also gives context as to what the person is doing. Whereas I thought my friend’s husband was leaving because he was upset; he was fine. Without the intimacy of relationship, the moves another makes can be misinterpreted.
How often do we misinterpret God’s intent? How often do we figure God is out to harm us when He is really out to help us?
There is power in regularly praying this prayer over ourselves:
“. . . And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Eph. 3:17-19 NIV)
When we know God’s ways intimately, we better understand God’s heart. When we know God’s love, we understand how He is leading us into a fullness in this world, rather than destitute barrenness. When we know God cares, suddenly we don’t feel so alone.
Ask to know God more, because to know God deeply, is to trust Him all the more.
Let’s pray:
Father God, I pray that we, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and that we will know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Eph. 3:17-19 NIV) For you are Love. Help us to know you as love, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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My daughter said something that I couldn’t entirely make out from the front seat of the car. Still, I knew where she was going with this whole line of thinking. She’d talked like this 100 times, so I instinctively blurted out, “Don’t even think about doing that!”
Suddenly, there was silence. And more silence. I glanced in the rearview mirror to see what was going on. It was then, when I saw her destroyed face, that I knew I did something horribly wrong…
“Mom, did you even hear what I said?” she asked.
“Umm…” I muttered.
My heart sank. An assumption in my mind effectively trampled the goodness flowing out of her heart. She didn’t say something wrong; she was saying something good.
I’m horrible.
I’m learning that when assumption or presumption direct my conversation, it usually leads to contention. I have been guilty of this with my husband, too.
Especially, when I say things like:
You always…
You never…
I know he will…
Negative declarations over my husband, set me up to walk in presumption and assumption. Rather than giving my husband the benefit of the doubt and space to do a new thing, I put faith in an expected outcome, and offer him no space to try out a new thing. All this furthers offense and solidifies negative patterns.
We butt heads. Old cycles continue, on repeat. We both are on edge.
Ever been there? Maybe your husband does that to you. I know it hurts.
In the bible, the Pharisees were fast assumption-makers about Jesus when he cast out a demon.
“. . . they said . . . “it is only by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.” But Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.” (Mt. 12:24-25)
To assume and presume is to fill the supernatural gap where God wants to move with our own naturally-minded nonsense. It’s like bridging a gap with icky gum, rather than allowing God to construct his bridge of solid rock, so we can effectively cross over into a new way of being and going.
Carnally-minded, non-grace giving words, tear down not only things of the Lord and passages to new ways of going, but also, our very own houses.
“A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.” (Prov. 14:1)
God shows us another way to breakthrough:
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” (Eph. 4:29)
What would it look like for you to extend grace before the recipient even deserves it? How might that change the face of your relationship?
If you want more wisdom, strength and practical help for your marriage, join the “Help My Marriage Workshop” this Thursday (tomorrow), December 14th live or via recording.
Gain strength for your marriage, as well as:
1. Practical strategies to believe God when everything looks dark and dim.
2. Breakthrough testimonies and stories to help you persevere.
3. Prayer strategy that defeats the devil’s schemes.
4. Ways to set up boundaries that safeguard your heart and your children.
5. Prayer and encouragement.
Prayer: Father, I repent of believing lies. Help me to see those around me through your eyes of love. Let me believe the best, instead of rashly thinking the worst. Give me grace to have hope in every relationship. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Have you ever had a stopped-up shower? Ick! Or, even worse, have you ever had a stopped-up toilet? It is the absolute worst. The other day, my husband had to go out and buy a plunger because our toilet was about to explode with stuff you don’t want me to describe. The pipe was clogged, and — let me just tell you, to put it nicely, things needed to flow (somewhere else)!
Just as things could not flow where they needed to because they were hindered by toilet paper, did you know that our prayers can be hindered too? Stopped up? Thwarted?
When this happens, it can create a horrible stop-up in our life. The painful things that need to clear out, just don’t. What we want to be over and done with, sticks around. What stinks, stays.
Might your prayers be hindered or blocked?
There are 5 things that can block or stop our prayers. The 5 hindrances are:
1. We turn away from doing what is right and, instead, do what is evil, without confessing our sins.
If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. (Ps. 66:18) *Iniquity means: wickedness or sin
If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination. (Prov. 28:9)
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” (1 Pet. 3:12)
2. We do not extend compassion and grace to others.
In the same way you married men should live considerately with [your wives], with an intelligent recognition [of the marriage relation], honoring the woman as [physically] the weaker, but [realizing that you] are joint heirs of the grace (God’s unmerited favor) of life, in order that your prayers may not be hindered … (1 Pet. 3:7)
While I know this verse is directed towards husbands, women are equally called to remember we are joint-heirs of grace and to extend that grace accordingly. To be angry and bitter, I believe, impacts a lot in our spiritual life.
3. We ask with selfish ambition or from soulish self-centered motives.
You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. (Ja. 4:3) And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. (1 Jo. 5:14)
4. We ask without confidence in Him and without faith that He will do what we asked Him to do.
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. (Jo. 15:7)
And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” (Mt. 21:22)
“And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. 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.” (Mk. 11:22-24)
5. We do not forgive others.
“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.” (Mk. 11:25)
What might be blocking you? Friends, the first place to start is repentance. Tell God, you are sorry. By doing this, you will find the flow is opened up once again. You will unblock the pipe. You will permit God to do what He so desires to do: help you!
Absolutely, the grace of God is enough to cover our mistakes, but if we willfully want to go our own way, God doesn’t pin us to the ground and force us to go His way. He is kind, patient and slow to anger.
In the past, I have thought the issue was God. I’d ask, “Where is He? Why hasn’t He shown up?”
Later, would come a day when I’d fall on my knees and realize the pride of me, kept me from the love of Him. I had inadvertently blocked His help. I had stopped His miraculous help!
If you are in this sort of place, where nothing is happening, may I encourage you? Turn towards your Father and clear out any hinderances. He loves you. He has good gifts for you. He wants to help you. He wants to give to you. Just as I want to give amazing Christmas gifts to my kids, He wants to give to you, too!
Unblock the flow!
Prayer: Father, give us clean hands and a pure heart. Show us if there is any wrong way within us. Forgive us for anything we may have done against you. Lead us to you — to the Good Shepherd, to our Defender and to our Provider. Hear our prayer and give us your peace. Hear the cry of our heart and answer us today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
P.S. The “Help My Marriage Workshop” is next Thursday, December 14. You can also access it by recording. Register here.
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