Obedience Is Greater than Sacrifice

“Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in obedience to him.” Psalm 128:1

Israel begged God for a king. They wanted a king like all the other nations so that when they went into battle, the other nations could see their leader and they would be successful. But what Israel didn’t understand is that they DID have a king…God was their king. Unlike any other nation, God was on Israel’s side and the other nations saw the power and might of Israel’s God. Yet, Israel rejected Him and begged for a human king. So, God relented and chose Saul to be the first king of Israel. Israel’s rejection of God led to hardship and heartache. And their king? He started off good, but got distracted by fame, by power, and by selfishness. He did what he wanted and then offered sacrifices to earn God’s approval.

Saul was anointed king, but he struggled with obedience to God. He seemed to think that his way was better than God’s way. He was impatient to wait for God’s timing, going so far as to offer the sacrifices himself rather than wait for Samuel, the priest, to manage the sacrifice as required by the Law (1 Samuel 13). The last straw was when God told Saul to destroy the Amalekites, every man, woman, and child, every herd and flock, take no spoil, leave nothing intact. But Saul thought better of that and chose to capture the King, Agog and bring him back to Israel, alive. Saul’s men plundered the best of the flocks and herds to “offer in sacrifice to God” (1 Samuel 15). Was this what God asked of them? No, it was not. Was this better than God’s plan? No, it was not. Did this put Israel at risk? Oh, yes, yes it did. Yet Saul didn’t see it. He continued to make excuses and offer platitudes. He blame-shifted and spoke bravely and self-righteously. Samuel, the high priest, wasn’t having it, neither was God. 

“But Samuel replied: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.”” I Samuel 15:22-23

Samuel called Saul out on his disobedience and proceeded to tell him that God was grieved that He chose him as King. As a result, God removed His blessing from Saul and chose another to take his place. Saul, in all his efforts to engineer his fame and success had offended and disregarded the One in Whose hands his fame and success were held. He missed the whole point. Saul was God’s servant, a tool to be used to bring Him glory and accomplish His purposes. Yet Saul opted to be his own master and make it look good by offering sacrifices after the fact. Saul did not fear God. He did not respect God. Saul tried to manipulate God, and it didn’t work.

Saul isn’t unlike us, is he? How often do we, or our children, choose to do what WE think is best, ignoring God’s commands and compromising our integrity, morality, and spiritual testimony to satisfy our selfish desires?  We think we know better. Do we balk at what God asks of us, instead pursuing an alternative and ‘dedicating it to Him’? Or, in an effort to ‘make up for it’ we offer sacrifices, we ‘do’ things to honor God or ‘give’ to bless Him. Our disobedience and efforts after the fact are offensive to Him. Yet we think we can engineer our life, our choices, and our results. We cannot. God is Sovereign. He is in control. He sees our heart. He sees that we fear failure, suffering, and loss more than we fear Him. He sees that we put more faith in our own efforts and plans than we do His. He sees. He knows. And He will respond.

God saw Saul’s heart. He saw that Saul was more concerned with his own fame and success. His offerings and sacrifices to God were an effort to appease Him rather than an act of worship to bring pleasure and delight to God with a fully surrendered heart. He was not a servant of God but was serving himself. Isaiah 65:5 says, “Such people are smoke in my nostrils, a fire that keeps burning all day.” Their fake sacrifices are a stench, not a pleasing aroma.

Today, it’s time to take stock on what and how you sacrifice to God:

• Is our heart surrendered to Him? 

• Are our motives pure? 

• Do we ask God to bless our actions after we take them? Or do we search out the heart of God before we act?

• Do we consider how our words and actions will testify to our love for and fear of God?

• Are we more concerned with honoring Him than with getting the desired outcome for ourselves?

• Are we willing to do whatever He asks or do we resist, instead trying to bargain with Him and offer compromises?

Obedience is greater than sacrifice. 

Deuteronomy 28 gives a very detailed description of the benefits of obedience and the dangers of disobedience. He wanted Israel to understand the blessings of obedience and to see that they were nothing the Israelites could ensure on their own.

• The LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. (Deut 28:1)

• You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. (Deut 28:3)

• The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks. (Deut 28:4)

• Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed. (Deut 28:5)

• You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out. (Deut 28:6)

• The LORD will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. (Deut 28:7)

• The LORD will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The LORD your God will bless you in the land he is giving you. (Deut 28:8)

• The LORD will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the LORD your God and walk in obedience to him. (Deut 28:9)

• Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they will fear you. (Deut 28:10)

• The LORD will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom. Deut 28:13

Wow! That is a list of blessings that no man could ensure for himself- only God. And all of these blessings were what Saul was longing for, and yet he chose to pursue his own path and ended up losing it all. 

When we teach our children obedience, it is not just for their compliance, but for their good, their protection, and their success. As they become adults, we pray they carry those lessons with them. And we pray, too, they understand the value and importance of obedience to God.

Even if obedience does not make sense, we need to remember that God’s ways are higher than our own. His wisdom is eternal, His plan is divine, His methods are not human. We can choose to go our own way and suffer the consequences of faulty, limited, unwise humanity, or we can choose to obey God and rest in His eternal, Sovereign, all powerful ways that will protect us and prosper us according to His will and for His glory. These are good things to remind our sons and daughters.

It’s a hard lesson to learn, isn’t it?  Obedience is always more powerful than sacrifice. It carries a stronger testimony and offers Godly protection. Obedience glorifies God. Sacrifice without obedience is a stench.

Today, let’s pray that our sons and daughters understand obedience to God and pursue it with their whole heart. “Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in obedience to him.” Psalm 128:1

“Heavenly Father, You are a good God who asks us to pursue You with our whole heart. You promise blessing and protection in our obedience. I pray that You would surround (name) today and impress upon them a desire to obey You. Please keep them from compromise. Keep them from going their own way and then trying to offer sacrifices to appease Your disappointment and anger. Lord, we cannot bargain with You. That is not how You work. You require our obedience, yet You’ve given us a free will to choose whom we will follow and obey. I pray that (name) would always choose You. Lord, show them the rewards of obedience. When things do not make sense, give them an unshakeable trust in You and Your plan. Help them to rest in the knowledge that You are all-knowing. You are all-powerful. You are the King of kings and Lord of lords, there is none greater, stronger, or wiser and there is salvation in no one else. Jesus, You are the Messiah, our Savior, Redeemer and Friend. I pray that (name) would trust and obey You each and every day. Help me to live a life that demonstrates obedience and surrender to You. I pray these things in Jesus’ name, amen.”

Pray without ceasing!

A Blessing of Favor and Purpose.

“May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands.”

Psalm 90:17

We pray for so many things regarding our sons and daughters, their walk with the Lord, protection from spiritual oppression and attack, their relationships, their attitudes and desires. Sometimes we get consumed by the needs and we neglect the blessings. And although the needs are great, it’s good to shift our focus from the struggle to the One who makes all things new.

So today, we’re going to pray a blessing over our sons and daughters. Psalm 90:17 is a beautiful prayer and even more so when you look at each word in the original Hebrew language. When we understand the original language, we understand more deeply what God is teaching us, the power that protects and sustains us, and the calling He has on our lives.

The prayer in Psalm 90:17 is twofold. The first is the request for God’s favor - God pouring His Presence and blessing on us. The second is the request to give us purpose and make us productive in a way that brings glory to Him.

Let’s look at the key words from Psalm 90:17

When we pray for favor, what are we actually praying for? We often think the word ‘favor’ means goodwill or kindness. When some does a favor for us, it is nice and an expression of care not out of obligation, but out of the goodness of their heart. When someone shows favor toward us we feel chosen, appreciated and special. But the Hebrew word for favor, noam, means so much more! 

Favor is God’s “delightfulness or pleasantness, splendor and grace” (1) It is reflective of God and His character. When we pray for favor on our children, we pray that God would pour out Himself on them, giving them a glimpse of Eden and life before the fall, when God walked in the garden with Adam and everything was set at one with Him. God’s favor is refreshing and sustaining. It is God’s goodness, delightfulness, splendor and grace lavished on us when we’re not deserving and in ways we could never deserve or earn. It is glorious and it reminds us that He has more for us than what this world offers. His favor is refreshing, encouraging, and reminds us that He is present and working. And how do we typically respond to favor? We are inclined to be drawn to the one who shows it toward us. Part of our prayer should be not only that God pours out His favor on them, but that our sons and daughters respond by drawing near to Him, craving time with Him, and recognize the blessing and gift of His favor on them.

The next word is “rest” (or be in some translations) and that is the Hebrew word haya. It means “to exist or come to pass, be accomplished or committed to” (2) When something comes to rest, it exists. It settles upon. When God’s favor settles on us, it rests, it stays, it provides a reminder of His presence and His protection and nothing can move it or remove it from us. When something rests it is linked to a location or purpose. God’s favor rests on us with purpose, position, and power and nothing has the power or authority to remove it.

“On Us” is the Hebrew word ‘al’ and it means “according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against.” (3)   Scripture tells us that in all times and in every way, God is surrounding us from all directions. It’s akin to Psalm 139:5 which says, “You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.” When we pray this blessing, we are asking for God’s favor to rest on us in every way at all times, everywhere.

The second part of this prayer of blessing is the request to establish the work of our hands. This is asking God to use us to do meaningful work that reflects His presence in our lives. The word ‘establish’ (in some translations the word used is conform) is the Hebrew word “kun” and it means “to set up, appoint, render sure and prosperous; to  ordain or order, to confirm and direct.” Some verses used the word ‘determined’ or ‘prepared’ others the phrase, ‘firmly decided’ or ‘make ready’. Think about that. When we ask God to establish our sons and daughters, we’re asking Him to prepare them, make them ready, ordain their life, their choices, their steps, and ultimately, their eternity. When God establishes someone, He blesses them. That does not mean their life is easy, but it does mean it is fully in His sovereign keeping.

We’re asking God to establish their work- that which they choose to do daily, whether occupation or vocation, whether hobby or leisure. There is nothing more frustrating than pointless work, right? How many times have we done something and asked, why am I doing this? What purpose does it have? We do not want to see our sons and daughters disillusioned with life, their purpose, or their value. The Hebrew word for work is “maase” and it means “a transaction, product, act, art, labor, occupation” (5). 1 Corinthians 10:31 reminds us that whatever we do, it should be done for the glory of God.  But none of that is accomplished in our own strength. Unless God enables it, we cannot do it. We want God to appoint the actions and choices of our sons and daughters so the work that they do reflects His presence in their life and brings glory to Him. We need to pray that our sons and daughters see that even the menial, daily things have eternal value. 

This part of the blessing is a prayer that asks God to help us see the eternal in the temporal and the divine in the midst of the mundane. We want our children to recognize that things like changing a baby’s diaper can be a reminder of how God lifts us out of our sinful mess and cleans us up, making us fresh and new. And each time they do that, it should remind them of God’s faithfulness to continually meet us in our mess and make us more like Christ. We want them to always be mindful that although making a meal can become a chore, it can also be a reminder of God’s provision, His daily bread for us, both physically and spiritually. There are so many things that can quickly and easily become trivial and shift our mind and focus toward the temporal, but if we have our mindset fixed on Christ, those daily chores become gentle reminders of His presence, His purpose, and His plan for us. He appoints days, seasons, events, relationships, and opportunities for His plan and His glory. Nothing is pointless. Everything can bring Him glory.

Today, let’s take time to pray through Psalm 90:17, pondering the deeper meanings there and asking the Lord to bless our sons and daughters abundantly, to rest His favor upon them and establish the work of their hands.

“Heavenly Father, Holy One, Almighty, Everlasting God. You show us favor even though we are undeserving. You delight in lavishing Your blessings on us because You love us. I pray that You would be gracious to rest your favor on (name) today. Let it settle on them, wash over them, go before and behind them. May they recognize Your favor in the warmth of the sunshine, the provision of a warm cup of coffee or the friendly smile of a co-worker or friend. Remind them that Your favor keeps them in hardship, sustains them when they are weary, and infuses them with joy that is unexplainable in a world saturated with sin and darkness. Let the blessing of Your favor be evident to those around them, so that it would ring loudly as a testimony of God’s presence and purpose in their life.”

“I ask, too, Lord, that You would establish the work of their hands. Let whatever they choose to do, be blessed by You and bring You glory. Open their eyes and heart to see Your purpose and Your presence in every thing. Don’t let them fall into disillusionment or feeling purposeless and directionless. Don’t let the darkness and depravity of this world overshadow Your Presence in their daily life. In all of the tedious things they must do, bring a recognition of Your daily provision and presence. Let them see your favor in recognizable and undeniable ways so that their mind will remain fixed on Christ and their perspective will continue to be eternal to their hope and inheritance in Christ. I know You can do this Lord.”

“May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon (name), establish the work of their hands for them - yes, establish the work of their hands, Lord. I pray this blessing in the mighty name of Jesus’, amen.”

Pray without ceasing.

1. H5278 - nōʿam - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (NIV). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h5278/niv/wlc/0-1/

2. H1961 - hāyâ - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (NIV). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h1961/niv/wlc/0-1/ 

3. H5921 - ʿal - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (NIV). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h5921/niv/wlc/0-1/

4. H3559 - kûn - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (NIV). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h3559/niv/wlc/0-1/

5. H4639 - maʿăśê - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (NIV). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h4639/niv/wlc/0-1/

We are Not of Those Who Shrink Back to Destruction

“But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.” Hebrews 10:39 (NASB 95)

As I read Hebrews 10:39, it immediately brought to mind the Titanic disaster. The ship was deemed unsinkable. Yet it became one of the worst maritime disasters ever recorded.

Everyone had firm trust in Titanic’s construction and its ability to withstand any storm or challenge. The engineering was cutting edge, the materials of excellent quality, and the craftsmanship unmatched. People boarded the ship with solid confidence in its ability to deliver them safely to New York City.

Such was the strong faith in the ship that even though they encountered a field of icebergs in the North Atlantic, the captain didn’t slow their pace because he and those who designed the ship wanted to achieve the fastest Atlantic crossing in the unsinkable Titanic. That was, until they struck an iceberg and the ship began to sink.

Still, in the midst of the pending disaster, there were those who balked at getting into a lifeboat. It wasn’t comfortable. It was cold, they might get wet. They wanted to stay with their family. They trusted the ship- it was unsinkable, right? They had plenty of time, or so they thought. Isn’t this so like those who balk at the gospel of Christ? 

We delay making things right with God because we’re not ready. We look for other, ‘easier’ options- just one way to God seems too restrictive and even unkind. We search for things WE can do to make ourselves righteous and to earn salvation because surely it has to be our own effort. Yet, all of these things still lead to destruction.

Those who eagerly climbed into the lifeboats on that dark, frigid night were those who saw their desperate need to be saved. They understood the ship was going down and their only hope was to put on a life preserver and climb aboard one of the lifeboats, bringing nothing with them but their life and breath. They didn’t shrink back. They didn’t debate the timeline, wondering how long they could remain on the ship before climbing onto a lifeboat. They understood the desperation and urgency and they took the only option that would save them. They did not shrink back. The Greek word for ‘shrink back’ is hypostole and it means to withdraw, to be timid and retreat (1). There were only two options available- remain on the ship and lose your life or get into the lifeboat and be saved.

We face those same two options, spiritually. We can either remain tethered to this world, seeking our own way and cementing our eternal destruction, or we can turn to Jesus, the One who died to pay for our sin, who was buried and rose again to affirm His Authority and Lordship. The One to Whom every knee will bow and every tongue confess. He is our Savior, our assurance, our hope for eternal life. Jesus is the only option that will save us from sure destruction of our soul.

Some will say, I’ll make things right with Jesus before I die, but I have time yet before I must. So many on the Titanic thought they had time as well, some continued playing card games, some went back to bed. But all the while, the ship was sinking and they were running out of time. They were destined for destruction and could not see it.

Some were hesitant to part with their belongings. Many of those on board were wealthy beyond comprehension. They traveled with jewelry, furs, priceless paintings purchased in Europe, and motorcars parked in the cargo hold. Nothing of value could be saved. Only life. But in the end, is that not the most valuable thing one possesses?  Yet, their tethers to their ‘things’ were strong, so strong that it prevented some from being saved.

There was only one way off of the Titanic. The truth, whether the travelers wanted to believe it or not, was that the ship was sinking and the lifeboats were the only salvation. Calls of “SOS- save our ship!” went unheeded. Life was only saved by climbing into the boat. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 (ESV)  There is no other way to God. There is no other avenue to ensure the eternal peace and salvation of your soul. The Truth is that Jesus saves. No other. Not Buddha. Not Allah. Not Hinduism or any other system of belief and practice. Jesus is the only God who gave His life for men so they could be saved. Every other religious system asks for a man to give his life for the god…and even then there is no guarantee, no assurance. Did you do enough? Did you sacrifice enough? Did you suffer enough?  There is no soul rest with any but Jesus.

“Jesus says, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”” Matthew 11:28-30 (NASB 95)

Far too many people are trying to construct their own lifeboat. They’re working to create their own road to heaven, their own plan of redemption, and their own checklist of accomplishments and ‘good things’ that would certify their status as acceptable to God. But there is already a way, a lifeboat already exists. Jesus paid the price for our sin so we would not have to endure eternal separation from God because of our sinful condition. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, God looks on us and sees Jesus. His sacrifice bought our freedom. His death was our life preserver. 

So, how do you get into the lifeboat with Jesus?  Oh, friends, it’s easier than you would imagine. There is no work to be done. It is simply confessing with your mouth that you believe Jesus is Lord, and believing in your heart that God raised Him from the dead (Romans 10:9). Reach out and take His hand. Let Him bring you into His kingdom. Let Him be your Lord and Master. He already did the work. You just need to believe. Trust Him and obey.

Is your son or daughter pursuing redemption through the world? Are they building their own lifeboat that will never withstand the storms of life? We need the power of the Holy Spirit to bring conviction, to remove the veil that blinds them to the Truth, and to move their hearts to want to embrace Jesus as Lord. Pray for that today.

Maybe a parent is resistant or defiant, consumed with doing things as they’ve always been done, honoring ancestors, traditions, and working their way to redemption. Pray that the Holy Spirit would overshadow all of these chains and obstacles that keep them entangled to the lies of the enemy. Pray that He would open their eyes to the Truth of the gospel and bring a change in their heart that would empower them to embrace salvation in Jesus.

Perhaps it’s a friend or co-worker, someone for whom you care deeply but whose life is hostage to things that keep them from true freedom in Christ. They are pursuing success, and climbing the ladder to the ‘next thing’ they hope will bring happiness and purpose. They are entangled in politics and arguments, trusting that being ‘right’ will ensure their survival. The Holy Spirit is powerful to break the addictions and silence the distractions. and voices that dissent. Pray that the Lord would intervene and show them true freedom in Christ.

Our prayers are powerful and effective. Sometimes we think that ‘just praying’ is a weak response, but friends, when we pray, we unlock a spiritual realm that is beyond our ability to see with our eyes and we engage power in God that will crush the enemy. Praying is the best thing we can do. We have the Almighty on our side- who better to fight the spiritual battle?  Who better to man the lifeboat? Today, let’s pray that those we love are in the lifeboat and know for certainty that they have faith in Christ to preserve the soul. 

“Oh Lord, our great God and Father, You are mighty to save. You made a way for us to be delivered from this dying world and from the bondage of sin and death. Jesus, You are our wonderful Savior who, because You love us so, took the punishment and shame that would be ours. You endured it so we would not have to. My heart is heavy for (name). They need to know You, Lord. They need Your salvation and deliverance from all the lies and distractions that keep them from Jesus. Holy Spirit, I pray that You would fall upon (name) today. Overwhelm them with Your love. Bring conviction over sin. Stir a sorrow in their heart that only You can soothe. I pray that (name) would surrender their heart and life to You, Lord. Give them a hope that is eternal and a faith that is sure. Help them not to look to those things they can see, but to see with their heart those things that are unseen yet certain. Lord, give them faith to believe and courage to continue. Don’t let them shrink back to destruction but give them mighty faith in Jesus that will preserve their soul. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray, amen.”

Pray without ceasing, friends. God is still and always working!

1. G5289 - hypostolē - Strong's Greek Lexicon (ESV). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g5289/esv/mgnt/0-1/

Criticism vs. Discernment

What is the difference between criticism and discernment? 

My spirit has been bothered recently at the amount of criticism flying on social media and other engagement platforms, especially between believers. It is a chorus of people railing at one another for their stance or conviction on issues, events, and leaders. Some have embraced social media as their platform to ‘bring change’ but their method is criticism. It is destructive and hurtful. But to understand why, you need to look at the meanings of the words.

The word, criticism, is the Greek word momaomai (1) and it means to blame, find fault with, mock at, to censure and discredit. 

Paul says in 2 Corinthians 6:3, “We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited.”  He did not want his words or actions to cause mockery or censure of his ministry. What is a stumbling block? Words, actions, and attitudes that do not reflect Christ or that promote our agenda, not His.

The Old Testament also addresses criticism. The Hebrew word is harap (2)  and it means to expose, to carp at, to defame or reproach. Nehemiah uses this to describe a plot by ungodly men to cause him to sin and thus discredit him. “He had been hired to intimidate me so that I would commit a sin by doing this, and then they would give me a bad name to discredit me.” Nehemiah 6:13 These men were cultivating a reproach against Nehemiah.  Judges 8:15ff shows Gideon using the same word when others taunted him, trying to gain an edge in a power struggle. Gideon was pursuing what was right. The others were pursuing their own power, benefit, and reputation.

We use criticism to correct. Yet, has someone’s criticism ever encouraged you to change your mind? Has it pushed you to do better? I don’t know about you, but criticism breaks me down. It discourages me and pushes me further away from that person and what they’re trying to accomplish. Yet, we fall into the trap of thinking we’ll change people’s minds and hearts by criticizing. 

Friends, the act of criticism is not discernment. It is used to bring others down and in so doing, make ourselves look better, smarter, more godly. It is a horizontal engagement between people that does little to point others to Christ. Criticism breeds self-righteousness. It is a sin.

Discernment is vastly different. There are two Greek words for this, the first is dokimazo (3) and it means to test, approve, examine, scrutinize to see whether a thing is genuine or not. It is to have the ability to recognize something (or someone) as genuine. That is only accomplished when one is very knowledgeable about the truth and what is precise and correct. It is not founded on personal knowledge or opinion. It is not based on feelings, but on Truth. One must know the Truth of Scripture in order to discern what is deceptive, incorrect, or evil. 

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2

We need to recognize that discernment is not based on knowing the issues, knowing the candidates, or knowing our personal convictions. It is solely based on knowing God’s truth and being able to recognize, in our spirit and our mind, what aligns with Christ and what is anti-Christ. 

Philippians goes a step further  using another version of the word for discernment, aisthesis (4). It means perception, judgment, and cognition not only by one’s senses, but by their intellect as well. It requires knowledge. 

“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,” Philippians 1:9-10

The typical Greek word used for knowledge is the word gnosis (5) which means experiential knowledge, relationship knowledge, but not necessarily Christian ‘culture’ or Biblical precepts.  But Paul makes a significant distinction in Philippians and uses the word epignosis (5) and it means full discernment and precise and correct knowledge. It is knowledge of God and His word, not of our own intellect and perception of people, events, and information. Do you see the difference? Discernment is grounded in Biblical Truth and it is a vertical interaction between us and God for the purpose of discernment of Godly things. It is knowledge that impacts our behavior and attitudes so they reflect God more accurately in our vertical interaction with Him that impacts our interaction with others. It is vastly different from criticism based on average, common knowledge and for the goal of bettering ourselves in a horizontal interaction with others. 

We need to pray for our sons and daughters that a spirit of criticism does not take root, or if it already has, that God would remove it and instead give them a heart and mind ready for and able to practice discernment. Pray that they are burdened to see Christ glorified and authentically reflected through their lives. Pray that they are willing to set aside ‘being right’ for allowing God to work through them and make them more like Him. Let’s allow the Holy Spirit to do His work. He doesn’t need our help in tearing one another down with criticism. Our responsibility is to pursue truth and live it out with discernment.

“Heavenly Father, You are so good and patient to continue teaching us. You are kind, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. You are faithful to pursue us, encourage us and teach us, ensuring that we do not stay where we are and what we are, but you daily transform us into the likeness of You Son, Jesus. I pray for (name) today that You would continue to transform them into Your likeness. Remove any spirit of criticism that would overshadow their desire to know You more and represent You authentically. I pray that the vertical relationship with You would be their priority. Remove any vain desire to be ‘right’ toward others in a way that would tear them down, belittle them or turn them away from the gospel. Keep them from the sin of self-righteousness. Cultivate in them precise and correct knowledge of Your Word. Let them hunger and thirst after righteousness. Let their light shine before others so they would see their good works and glorify You. Lord, You do not need us to defend You. You are mighty and strong. You need our obedience. I pray that (name) would have strong discernment to obey, to remain quiet when You ask them to, and when they speak, to speak words of life that are like honey, a balm to those to hear them and encouragement to those who need to know You are the Living Water they thirst for. Lord, I pray that You would help me to not be critical. Put a guard on my mouth so that I do not say things that would be ungodly or hurtful. I pray that You would continue to teach me so that I can live out the example You desire for my sons and daughters. Thank you for Your faithfulness to me and to my family. May You be glorified through us. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Pray without ceasing.

1. G3469 - mōmaomai - Strong's Greek Lexicon (NIV). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g3469/niv/mgnt/0-1/

2. H2778 - ḥārap̄ - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (NIV). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h2778/niv/wlc/0-1/

3. G1381 - dokimazō - Strong's Greek Lexicon (NIV). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1381/niv/mgnt/0-1/

4. G144 - aisthēsis - Strong's Greek Lexicon (NIV). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g144/niv/mgnt/0-1/

5. G1108 - gnōsis - Strong's Greek Lexicon (NIV). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1108/niv/mgnt/0-1/

6. G1922 - epignōsis - Strong's Greek Lexicon (NIV). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1922/niv/mgnt/0-1/

Are you praying for a prodigal? Oh the heartache and heaviness of battling in prayer for one who needs to return to Jesus! Yet, you’re praying to the One who made their heart and knows it completely. 40 Days of Prayer for the Prodigal is a great Bible-based resource to guide your prayer journey and bring you closer to the Lord with each passing day. Get your copy today and transform your prayer life in significant ways!

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God Sees It All

“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:13

The other day I had the joy of going to a wedding shower. It was about an hour away, so I was on the highway, listening to some praise music, enjoying the drive and watching the GPS because I would have to soon exit onto another highway. Suddenly a large SUV came flying by my left side and nearly cut me off. He pulled into my lane, nearly hitting me, then proceeded to weave in and out of traffic across four lanes and was speeding close to 100 mph (161 kph) (the speed limit was 70mph). It startled me at first, it was so reckless. Then I was concerned and a bit annoyed. I literally prayed out loud, “Lord, let the police see that person and pull them over before they cause an accident!”.  The words were hardly out of my mouth when another vehicle passed me quickly on the left … It was a state trooper. I laughed out loud, God heard my prayer and answered within moments!  That trooper was driving fast, trying to catch up to the one who was driving even faster and recklessly. There were no lights. No sirens. Just an intentional focus and purposeful driving to catch the one who was breaking the law. He wasn’t making a ‘big deal’ of his pursuit so that others were aware. But he saw, he knew, and he was taking action. His goal wasn’t to catch and punish but to stop the behavior that was putting people at risk. Yes, there would be consequences, but the goal was safety and rescue.

I had to take my exit and continue on a different highway and didn’t see the outcome, but I’m pretty certain that the individual who was speeding found himself getting a hefty ticket and a stern talking to about his driving. He had to give account for his choices that were seen and called out by the police.  God struck me with the spiritual significance of what I just witnessed. That police officer was like the Holy Spirit going after someone who is running from the Lord. He saw the individual’s choice to sin. He went after them to bring them to account, but also to keep them safe from the danger they were pursuing. He did it quietly and with intention. He had the authority to do so. And hopefully, there was a lesson learned in the process. Yet, few people around really noticed the officer working. He didn’t announce it for all to see. He stayed focused on the one who needed his intervention, even though that individual did not want the attention.

Sometimes our sons and daughters are going their own way, they’re running from the Lord, choosing to sin, indifferent to those around them, or just too focused on their own desires to see how their choices are putting their spiritual safety at risk. They don’t see the heartache they’re causing. But the Holy Spirit is there, He sees, and He’s following them, intent on reaching them to stop them from their destructive ways. He doesn’t come with ‘lights and sirens’; He often comes unexpectedly. But, He sees. He knows. And He is following them. We may not see Him working, but we need to trust that He is. We may be frustrated, “Lord, why don’t you act?!” But He is moving with purpose and intention to accomplish His will in that individual’s life. 

The Holy Spirit is working, even when we cannot see it. We may get frustrated, “Lord, why don’t you act?” When, in fact, He is working. But our limited vision doesn’t see His hand. This is what faith is about…trusting in the unseen and resting in the omnipotent power of the Lord of lords. We don’t have the power and authority to intervene just as I didn’t have the power or authority to pull over that speeding driver. I had to trust that law enforcement would do their job. The officer was watching even when I didn’t see him working- it was comforting and a sobering reminder. 

God is eternal. We know that, but sometimes we lose sight of what that means. He knows everything. He sees the direction we will go before we even take a step. He’s watching our choices, our thoughts, and our intentions. When we are caught in our sin, we’re often oblivious to the Holy Spirit until He’s right there, upon us, revealing our sin and stirring our conscience, and leading us to repentance. God sees your beloved son or daughter. He knows where they are and what they’re doing. Psalm 139:2-4 tells us, 

“You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue, you, LORD, know it completely.” 

There is nothing that escapes God’s attention. He is not slow to act. He is not insufficient in His responses. The difficult part for us is waiting and trusting. We want to see a resolution now. We want assurance that our sons and daughters will walk with the Lord. We want relief from the worry and pain. But we need to trust Him that He will intervene and He will work in His time and according to His will. 

We need to choose to parent with purpose and intention. When our sons and daughters are going their own way, will we allow that to send us into a frenzy of worry and grief or will we move forward with quiet trust in the Lord? Will we carry our burdens of pain, sorrow, and worry or will we lay them on the altar for God to manage?

When we pray, we are stepping into the supernatural realm with the power of God in us. We are communing with the Great I Am, the King of Kings and Lord of lords, the God of gods. We have access to the Throne room of the One to whom every knee will bow and every tongue confess His Lordship. Why would we allow ourselves to wring our hands and worry our hearts? We have the power of the Almighty on our side.

Whether your son or daughter is walking with the Lord or not, they need prayer. Time is short and Satan knows it. This generation is his target - if he can capture their heart, and their mind, he will be one step closer to his goal of destroying mankind- the image bearers of the Most High God.

Let’s pray with purpose. Let’s pray with intention. Let’s pray a portion of Hannah’s prayer in 1 Samuel 2:1-3 and 10:

Holy Father, Lord of lords, I want to pray like Hannah who said, “My heart rejoices in the Lord; in the Lord my horn is lifted high.” Oh, Lord, You are the One who exalts and who brings down. I pray today that You would work in (name)’s  heart today. Get their attention, bring them to repentance. Hannah also said, “My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance.” You are the only One who can bring deliverance. Why would I trust in any other? Lord, take my worry, take my grief, soften my heart to be surrendered to Your will and Your timeline. Hannah understood Your authority and praised you saying, “There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.” Help me to praise you, too, and to rest in Your power and authority. Keep me from speaking words that do not honor You or voicing my frustration that things are not yet resolved. “Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the Lord is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed.” I pray that (name) would understand that You know and You will weigh their choices, their thoughts, their desires. Give them a heart that longs after You. I know that You see. I know that You are acting, even if I cannot see it yet. I trust You Lord, help me to rest in that trust. You are my hope and salvation. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.”

Do you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior?  If not, who are you trusting in for your eternal salvation?  The Bible says, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:2

It’s not about being “good” or doing good works to achieve righteousness because nothing we can do would ever be enough to justify ourselves before a righteous God. “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.” Isaiah 64:6

But God loves us so much that He made a way. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” John 3:16-18

So, how do we believe? How do we receive so great a salvation that when God looks on us, He sees Jesus, perfect, holy, and righteous? Romans 10:9-11 says, “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As scripture says, “Anyone who believes in Him will never be put to shame.”  Romans 10:9-11

“God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance.” Romans 2:4  Will you embrace God’s kindness today?  Will you declare with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead? Any other religion asks you to give your all for their god, but Jesus gave His all for us so that we could be reconciled to Him.

If you want to surrender your life to Christ today, pray this prayer, “Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner. I am lost and separated from You because of my sin- my wrong thoughts, actions, and desires- I confess that. But I believe You died for me, You paid for my sin so that I could stand before You forgiven, justified, and redeemed. I ask that You would be my Lord and Savior. Forgive me. Cleanse me. Make me Your child. I believe that God the Father raised You, Jesus, from the dead so that death and hell have no power over me. I know that one day I will stand in heaven with You as Your child, redeemed, loved, and chosen. Thank you for new life, for Jesus, and for Your mighty forgiveness. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

If you prayed that prayer, would you let me know so I can be praying for you? You now have so many brothers and sisters in Christ who intercede for you and your spiritual growth and protection!  Welcome to the Family of God!

If you’re praying for a prodigal, consider this powerful resource, 40 Days of Prayer for the Prodigal. This book walks the reader through 40 days of intentional prayer for the heart of the one who is running from God. It includes a focus on God and His attributes, then an honest explanation of the sin and sorrow that pulls the prodigal away from God. Prayer is scripture-based and journal prompts allow the reader to thoughtfully record what they are praying and learning throughout the 40 day journey. Order your copy on Amazon today!

Don’t stop praying, God isn’t finished

Desiring Good that God Gives

“Do good to your servant according to your word, Lord. Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I trust your commands.” Psalm 119:65-66

How do we determine what is ‘good’? What is the standard for deciding that? You see, there is ‘good’ according to the world and then there’s ‘good’ according to the Word. One is temporary, the other lastingly eternal. One is visible by the eyes; the other may only be perceptible by the heart and mind.

Knowledge according to the world is being ‘smart’, gaining learning, pursuing degrees and experience that will propel you forward to success. But Godly knowledge is knowledge of Him that is not just stored up in the mind, but in the heart. It’s knowledge that will propel someone forward in a walk with the Lord and toward an eternal reward, living side by side with Him. Godly knowledge is gained by a hunger of the spirit, seeking to know more of Christ, eagerly seeking to spend time in His word and committing it to mind and heart. It’s knowledge that puts everything else into perspective and that protects from everything that would lead to falling away from the Lord.

I remember trying to get my toddler to eat something and would repeatedly tell them, “It’s good! Just try it!” and they would turn their nose up, tightly close their lips and refuse. Until they tasted, they didn’t believe. Oh how that is such a picture of our spiritual heart! Until we taste the goodness of God, we don’t believe it will be sweet and pleasing. We balk at the suggestion that God is good. We resist the appeal. And then…oh, then, we take a taste and, “OH!”, it’s more than we imagined!

I want my family to desire the good that is from the Lord. I want them to taste and see that it is good! I want them to crave the knowledge He instills that would protect them from the enemy, give them discernment in this dark world, and would guard their heart and mind in Jesus. Let’s pray that for our sons and daughters and for us, as parents, too.

"Father, I pray that today you would do good to (name). Your word says that ‘good’ is pleasant to the senses, that which is excellent, valuable, appropriate and better. Please be gracious and bless my son/daughter in each of those ways and extend your goodness to them.”

“Help them recognize that the good they enjoy is a blessing from you. Lord, let them understand that Your good also includes gaining knowledge of you. Help them to seek it with all their heart. I ask that you would help (name) be teachable. Soften their heart, tune their ears to your words, help them discern what is right, true, and worthy and let them pursue it diligently.”

“May (name) throw him/herself on you, resting in your strength, trusting your wisdom and leading, and being confident of your protection. May the knowledge they gain today be godly and may their judgment reflect that. Guard and guide them today. May others see Your goodness in their life and long for a relationship with You as well. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Pray without ceasing.

The Importance of Accountability

We’ve all heard the stories of Christian leaders whose lives impacted many and whose words were followed with conviction and enthusiasm. We’ve followed some of them, only later to learn that the individual was entertaining sin, deep, grievous sin that disqualified them from ministry. Sin that was always at the expense of others who trusted them. Sin that was dark, nasty, and contradictory to their message and their persona. And one of the biggest factors involved was accountability…or the lack thereof. A big red flag for someone’s character (or lack thereof) is a resistance to accountability and push back towards those who ask it of them.

No one is so great that they cannot be held accountable. No one has such a powerful ministry that another believer cannot question their actions, words, and choices in an honest and Biblical way. If that happens and the individual is not willing to be transparent, that’s a huge red flag.

But it doesn’t just apply to leaders. We are ALL to be accountable for our lives because it is what keeps us following Christ authentically and helps us avoid the traps of sin and temptation. There is no one who does not need accountability. We are all sinners, saved by grace. And we all struggle with that fleshly temptation to revert back to what we once were. The challenge and the deception is that we think we can control it. Yet, it ends up controlling us. Accountability deters that.

Effective accountability requires several things: humility, community, transparency, and honesty. If someone is resistant to any of those, that is a red flag.

Humility

We are to follow the example of Christ, who humbled himself to whatever the Father willed.  It is a willingness to allow your life to be open to others. 

“Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” Philippians 2:3-7

We spent a lot of time building up our kids, encouraging them, cultivating leadership and character, but did we emphasize humility?  It’s a quality that is valued and needed. It reflects Christ, and it positions the individual to look at themselves, their actions, choices, and words with honesty.  Pray for humility.

Accountability requires community. Someone who operates alone answers to a committee of one. Whatever they choose to do is self-approved, self-supported, and self-celebrated. When someone pushes others away, or intimidates those around them into silence, that is not only abuse of position and power, it is arrogance and self-importance. It is a blatant sin. Godly community helps us remain aligned with right practices and respect for God and his expectations for us.

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

We didn’t isolate our children as we raised them. We ensured they had good friends, other families who lived and believed as we did to influence them, because we understood the value of the ‘village’. But as children grow into adulthood, they do not always retain the values and practices with which they were raised or see the importance of holding protections in place. .Pray for Godly community that would speak into their lives and influence them with Christ-likeness.

Accountability requires transparency. Paul and Titus wanted to ensure their ministry was God-honoring and gave evidence of that to everyone they encountered. They understood that although they answered to the Lord, their actions and words were seen and evaluated by everyone with whom they came in contact. Their testimony was evidence of their authenticity. 

“We are careful to be honorable before the Lord, but we also want everyone else to see that we are honorable.” 2 Corinthians 8:21

Secret sins are those that are devastating. The impact isn’t just on the one who commits the sin, but on everyone who knows and loves them. God was clear about secret sin:

“Cursed is anyone who makes an idol—a thing detestable to the LORD, the work of skilled hands—and sets it up in secret.” Deuteronomy 27:15

“‘Cursed be anyone who strikes down his neighbor in secret.'” Deuteronomy 27:24

“Whoever slanders their neighbor in secret, I will put to silence; whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, I will not tolerate.” Psalm 101:5

“The wicked accept bribes in secret to pervert the course of justice.” Proverbs 17:23

Pray that our children would be transparent, not hiding sin and not treasuring it in their heart. “Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the LORD. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the LORD.” Jeremiah 23:24 God sees. God knows. He will reveal it- pray that He does. Pray for our sons and daughters to be transparent.

Finally, accountability requires honesty. It is the character quality that allows us to look at ourselves truly, and see our words and actions through the eyes of God and others and to accept the truth of them. No excuses. No blame-shifting.

The prophet, Nathan, brought this very issue to King David after his sin with Bathsheba and his murder of her husband, Uriah. Nathan used an analogy to show David his fault:

““Now a traveler came to the rich man, but the rich man refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare a meal for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the ewe lamb that belonged to the poor man and prepared it for the one who had come to him.” David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan, “As surely as the LORD lives, the man who did this must die! He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity.” Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man!” “Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.”” 2 Samuel 12:4-7a, 13a

When we sin and refuse accountability, we not only deceive others into thinking we’re right with God but we deceive ourselves into thinking we’re not walking in darkness. We’re dishonest. Deceit is a tool of Satan. Honesty protects us from falling away. 

It is so important that our sons and daughters have accountability with other believers in their walk with the Lord. As children, they were accountable to us, their parents, and we helped shape and guide them. But for most of us, our children are grown, employed, living elsewhere, and our opportunity and ability to speak into their lives is different, less frequent, and without the same impact or authority. It’s likely we are no longer positioned to do that as effectively as others may be. 

We need to pray that the Lord would bring accountability partners into the lives of our sons and daughters. People whom they respect and look up to, people who are spiritually mature and who also share accountability with others. Pray that God would show our children the value and importance of being accountable and being open, surrendered, and vulnerable enough to accept their need for accountability.

Accountability is difficult and, sometimes, unpleasant. But it is a safety net to keep us from devastating sin. It is the lens through which God enables us to see ourselves more clearly in order to clean up what is becoming muddied by the world and its influences. It is an assurance, provided by God and aligned with Scripture, to help us maintain a blameless walk with the Lord and a testimony that will bring glory and honor to Him.

“Father, I pray for (name) today that You would bring other believers alongside them to provide encouragement and accountability. Keep them walking with You, not straying off the path, not lingering in shadows or darkness, and not sitting by the wayside, watching sin with interest. Lord, keep them from sin. Put a guard on their eyes. Protect their heart with the breastplate of righteousness and their mind with the helmet of salvation. Impress on them the need for and importance of accountability. Help them to be humble, transparent, honest, and active in a Christian community- a fellowship of believers who would surround them with wisdom, encouragement, and protection. Lord, only You can accomplish this, I pray that you will. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Pray without ceasing.

Full Surrender

“Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” 

“Here I am,” he replied. 

Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”” 

Genesis 22:1-2

The story of Abraham and Isaac is a powerful one. If we grew up going to church and learning the Bible, we likely were introduced to the story as children: Abraham offering his son Isaac on the altar as God commanded. It may have seemed odd and even cold. But, as children, I doubt many of us understood the deep sacrifice God was asking Abraham to give. 

But when we become parents, that story takes on a whole new meaning. Could we even imagine God asking us to sacrifice the life of one of our children as a burnt offering - a sacrifice to Him?! We would be ready to lay down our life for them in a heartbeat, but to take their life as an offering to God? It asks too much…. Or does it?

We hold our relationships with our children very closely, as we should. They are precious and valuable to us. We cherish them. We invest in them. We hold them so dear. But, friends, sometimes our parenting becomes an idol. Sometimes we idolize something that God gifted us and asks us to steward, not worship. We fret and angst. We speak into their choices and relationships. We lose sleep, shed tears, and pray fervently. Yet we hold on so tightly that it may be a struggle to see God in the midst or be willing to allow Him to have His way. We want to protect, to engineer, to bring resolutions to the problems in our own power and wisdom. It’s not godly.

We need to be willing to lay it on the altar. That does not mean we disconnect from our sons and daughters, not at all. Abraham was present and speaking in Isaac’s life right up to the point that he raised the knife. He was parenting, but in submission to God. And Isaac trusted Abraham enough to surrender to what God was asking him to do. That is full surrender and it’s beautiful.

Abraham valued his relationship with God most of all. His trust of God and his obedience to God surpassed his need to cling to and protect Isaac. He was not willing to sacrifice his relationship with God for his son. He trusted that God could do more than he humanly could imagine. That is powerful and that’s the example we need to follow.

Here is a question to ponder: are we possibly holding those relationships dearer than our relationship with the Lord? Are we resisting what God is asking of us in order to preserve what we deem more valuable with our sons and daughters? Are we unwilling to lay them on the altar and allow God to have His way?

Perhaps we are like the parent who takes their child to the Emergency Room because they need skilled care, only to tell the doctor we know what’s best, directing his responses. And instead of trusting his wisdom, skill, and discernment, we stand in the way of his effectiveness. When we bring our children to the Great Physician, we need to trust His skill and care, not direct His responses according to our human wisdom. Lay it all on the altar.

As we step into this new year, it is a perfect time to practice full surrender of all God has given us and blessed us with. Oh, friends, I don’t have this all worked out either. It’s a daily choice to surrender to my Lord and Savior, asking Him to resolve those things that grieve me, the choices my children make that concern me for their future. It’s surrendering the worry over the ‘red flags’ that I see in their lives and relationships. It’s humbly recognizing my place, and my ability and power (or lack thereof) in light of God’s sovereign authority and power to effect change in their lives. He is God, I am not. He is wise, I have limited understanding. He is able, where I will falter and fail. Isn’t it best to trust Him and obey?

Take a few moments and pray. Envision yourself lifting those things that you hold dear and laying them on the altar to give back to God, don’t take them back down again. Place those things you worry over, the choices and relationships your son or daughter is pursuing, on the altar as a sacrifice to God- may He have the glory. You cannot change it, but God can. If we are willing to give it all over to Him and trust Him with the process, we will gain so much freedom and peace. 

Our sons and daughters belong to God; they are a gift from Him to us to steward, to raise, to nurture in the knowledge of God. It’s only right and fitting that we give them back to Him so He can have full sway over their lives. Oh, friends, we’re not losing them by giving them to God, we’re opening the channel for Him to work more freely and to use us more effectively. 

Maybe a new habit this year is praying a prayer of surrender every morning, laying all of the worries and cares, all of the precious things He’s given you, back onto the altar for Him to use, to bless, to be glorified by in our surrender.

Abraham trusted God more than he trusted his ability to engineer the situation. His trust became a hallmark of his life and it was an incredible example of following God to his son, Issac, and to us. Read Genesis 22:9-18

9 When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!”

“Here I am,” he replied.

12 “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”

13 Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”

The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time 16 and said, “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, 18 and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.””

Is there anything you’re withholding from God today? Take inventory of your life, your relationships, what you value most and hold dear. Choose to give it all to the Lord so that He can have His way. We cannot protect our sons and daughters from what the Lord wills, but we can be an instrument of blessing, wisdom, discernment, and love if we choose to trust God and allow Him to have full control. 

Our sons and daughters can learn much from us if we are willing to allow God to have His way, completely. What blessings await because we obey?

“During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.” Hebrews 5:7

Take some time today to write out a prayer. Date it. Then revisit it through the week, the month, and this year, noting how God is working in their life and in yours. Pray that prayer of surrender every morning, laying all of the worries and cares and all of the precious things He’s given you onto the altar--Full Surrender. 

Pray without ceasing.

May He be Glorified.

Are you praying for a prodigal?  Don’t lose heart. God sees and He hears.  Keep laying your burdens in prayer at the feet of Jesus.  Trust Him, He is working.  You may not see it, but He works in dimensions that are beyond our comprehension.  Pray for those friends and associates that interact with your beloved prodigal, that God would use them to bring them to full surrender to Jesus as Lord.

40 Days of Prayer for the Prodigal is a powerful book for anyone deeply in prayer for the heart of their loved one. The book addresses the battle for the heart, mind, and soul of the prodigal through praying Scripture boldly and consistently with faith that God will bring repentance and restoration. Pray the words of Scripture in powerful and effective ways to plead with God about the  condition and situation of your beloved prodigal and watch God work!

Grab your copy today! 

Available on Amazon

God’s Children Rebelled, Too

God knows and understands what it’s like to have children who rebel.  He had rebellious children, too.

Isaiah 1:2 “Hear, O Heavens! Listen, O Earth! For the LORD has spoken: “I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me,”

God kept His promise to Abraham to make him, his offspring Israel, into a great nation.

Genesis 12:2 “And I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great and you will be a blessing.”

Yet, in their greatness, they turned from God. It was a pattern- He would bless, they would praise, then they would become distracted, prideful and selfish. They would lose sight of God. He would chastise, they would return and for a while, be faithful, then it would cycle once again.

The Israelites knew what God expected of them. They understood His commands. Each day they would make sacrifices, but it simply became an act of going through the motions- a show of obedience when there was no willingness to worship Him. Their heart was not in it.

That’s why God told them “Stop bringing meaningless offerings!” Isaiah 1:13

As parents, our greatest prayer is that our sons and daughters would commit their heart and life to Christ. And our hearts are burdened when our sons and daughters don’t choose to follow Jesus and make Him Lord of their life. We were diligent to bring them up in the knowledge of the Lord. We took them to church, encouraged them to attend youth group, maybe Awana, Young Life, or Youth for Christ. But at some point, our children must make the decision for themselves. Who will they live for? Who will they serve? Being raised by believing parents is no guarantee that the children will choose to follow Jesus in faith. And when they choose a different path, our hearts are broken. Where did we go wrong? What should we have said, done, changed? Often we struggle with questions, doubts, and regret. But we need to remember, each one must choose for themselves. Though we parent adult children differently, we still pray as if they were our beloved little ones. And isn’t that how God looks at us? His little ones?

Joshua put the decision before the Israelites to state clearly who they would choose to serve:

“But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve,” Joshua 24:15a

Too often we (and I do mean all of us) get prideful and rebellious. We don’t want to be told what to do. We want to make our own decisions, be the captain of our own ship. The dialogue in our mind says, “You’re not the boss of me!” We reach a level of knowledge and experience that boosts our ego and our pride. And Satan loves it. He leads us on, feeds us thoughts and feelings that bolster our independent spirit. He lures us with the illusion of freedom from oppression when in reality, He is slowly binding us with the chains of slavery to sin. But we don’t see it.

Israel knew how to keep up appearances. They knew the language, the routines, the rituals, and the expectations. They could go through the motions. But God saw their heart and called them out on their lack of sincerity.

“But concerning Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.”” Romans 10:21, Isaiah 65:2

Kids raised in church also know how to play the part. They know the words to say and the actions that demonstrate belief. But the heart is where the real truth resides. They see the truth of their own heart condition and it’s their decision as to where its affections will be directed.

Parenting adult children is challenging. Young people reach the age of knowing everything, right? They know better than their parents because they understand the trends, have the latest information, and are not ‘antiquated’ in their thinking. They're smart, switched on and progressive... they’re also deceived, prideful, and lost. They are easily entangled and led astray because of pride and foolishness.

We need to pray that God would call out our sons and daughters on their sincerity of heart toward Him. We cannot be their Holy Spirit. In fact, the more we address it, the greater the risk they will pull away and stop talking to us. We need to be thoughtful in our words, our timing, and our intention. We can’t change their heart- only God can.  In our angst and urgency, we need to surrender our own expectations and timeline to the Lord- a living sacrifice to His will and His way. It’s better. It’s perfect. It’s sufficient. We need to trust Him.

No sin is too great and no distance too far. Nothing is too hard for Him. He can soften the hardest heart, unstop the deafest ears, and move the immoveable. Not us. God and God alone.

Here’s the thing, Israel’s rebellion meant the gospel came to the Gentiles.  Think about that. God extended His mercy and grace to those who were not His children and He adopted us into His family and called us His children. He’s given us an inheritance. He put His Holy Spirit into us and marked us as His own, never to be snatched out of His hand. We are included in Abraham’s promise!!  

God wastes nothing. There is a much bigger plan at play here. Although it is about your son or daughter, there are so many facets of the situation and individuals who are unknowingly part of God’s plan. Perhaps there is another who will come to Christ because of the current rebellion of your son or daughter. Maybe God will use this rebellion to soften more than just the heart of your loved one. Maybe, just maybe, God will use this season of rebellion to prepare your son or daughter for a powerful ministry that reaches many for Christ. Pray. It is what you can do and no one can stop you.

God understands the rebellious heart and He made a way to reconcile that heart to His own. Don’t spend all your time fussing and worrying about the ‘what if’ or the sin that entangles. You know it’s there. God knows it’s there. He can undo it. Pray:

• That God would soften their heart

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

• That God would bring believers into your son or daughters life who would speak truth into them

“And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.” 1 Thessalonians 5:14

• That their eyes would be opened and their ears unstopped

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you,” Ephesians 1:18a

• For conviction of sin

“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” 2 Corinthians 7:10

• That God would stir a longing for fellowship with Him- that they would hunger and thirst for righteousness

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Matthew 5:6

• That they would not resist the Holy Spirit

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.” Ezekiel 36:36-37

God loves our sons and daughters even more than we do and He desires a relationship with them. He wants to be their Father, their Lord, their Savior and their Friend. He wants to give peace, joy, and fulfillment. He wants to remove their heart of stone and replace it with a heart of flesh, one that is soft and pliable to His ways and desires to worship and serve Him.

Only He can do that. 

Today, pray through the scriptures above. Ask God to work in their heart and bring them to salvation in Jesus. Trust Him that He will work according to His will, in His time, and in His mighty power. Praise Him for what He will do!

Perhaps in reading this, you’ve realized that you need Jesus? Scripture says we’ve all sinned and fall short of the glory of God- even the kindest, most generous person cannot make themselves worthy of God and heaven (Romans 3:23) But God made a way!  He gave Jesus to be the perfect, sinless sacrifice, once for all- we don’t need to keep sacrificing, Jesus paid it all!  His death on the cross satisfied the wrath of God towards our sin. (Romans 6:10). 

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)  God tells us that, “All are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. (Romans 3:24-25)  It is for everyone- there is no sin too great that God will not forgive.

All you need to do is confess and believe. Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”” Romans 10:11

Simply pray this prayer: “Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner- from things I’ve thought, said, and done that are wrong. But I believe you died on the cross for my sin, paying the price so that I don’t have to. I believe you were buried and you rose again on the third day. I believe you sit in heaven at the right hand of God, advocating for me. And I believe when God looks on me, He sees You and Your blood that covers my sin. Please forgive me and be my Lord and Savior. Help me to live for You. I pray that the Holy Spirit would work in me to teach me, guide me, and protect me from spiritual attack. I look forward to standing in Your presence one day, redeemed, your beloved child. Thank you for forgiveness, for hope, and for life beyond the grave. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

If you prayed that prayer, send me a message!  I would love to encourage you and pray for you!

Are you looking for a great Christmas gift? Consider 40 Days of Prayer for the Prodigal. This is a 40 day journey of prayer through Scripture and journaling that guides the reader in praying God’s word over the prodigal heart. Available on Amazon

I’m praying that you all have a blessed Christmas and a wonderful New Year. Thanks for following this year!

Join the PAC is taking a break, but will return in January 2026 with new devotionals and prayers to encourage parents as they pray! Cling tightly, love deeply, and follow Jesus with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Hungry Lambs

Recently I read a story about a family raising a flock of sheep on their farm. One of the lambs was orphaned and needed special attention or it would fail to thrive.  The father brought the lamb into the house and the family bottle fed it, kept it warm and socialized it.  Soon, it was a part of the family, following them around and enjoying life in the house.  But eventually, the time came for the lamb to return to the flock.  They took the lamb outside, put it in the pen with the other sheep and went back inside for the night. Except that the lamb didn’t want to be with the flock, in the dark, outside.  It knew what life was like inside the house with the father. It cried and fussed and longed to be back in the house. Soon the family realized that, at least for the time being, it was better to bring the lamb back inside so everyone would get rest that night.

I Peter 2:2-3 “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.”

That little lamb knew what it was like to be fed in the father’s house, and because he knew it was good and plentiful, it’s what he desired. The lamb cried and cried until it was let back into the house where he knew he would be fed. It mattered to him.

It made me think, have our children enjoyed intimate closeness with God so that they long to be in His presence?  Are they eager to return to His house to spend time with Him?  If asked, would they rather be with Him than not?

Psalm 16:11 “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”

As parents, it is our duty, our responsibility to continue praying for our sons and daughters, even when they’re grown. We need to pray that they know what it’s like to be fed in the house of the Lord, with the words of the Word, nourishing and satisfying their souls. Oh that they would crave the spiritual food that would grow their faith, strengthen their knowledge and understanding, and deepen their love!

1 Chronicles 16:11 “Seek the LORD and His strength; seek His presence continually!”

Today, let’s pray that our sons and daughters seek the Lord continually, not just on Sunday, but every day.  Pray that their deepest longing would be to know Him more, to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and to grow in their ‘epignosis’- their precise and correct knowledge of Him.

“Heavenly Father, You are a good Shepherd.  You lead us into lush green pastures and beside still waters so that our hunger and thirst are satisfied with the best You can offer.  Lord I pray for (name) today, let their spiritual hunger lead them straight to You. Don’t let them look aside to spiritual ‘fast food’ that is inch deep and overprocessed with thoughts and feelings of others. No, lead them straight to the Word where they can be filled with Truth that will change their life and draw them nearer to You. I pray that (name) would taste and see that You are good and in that, they would be spoiled for anything else. Lord help them to find joy in Your Presence so that they are continuously drawn back, again and again, to spend time with You. Lord, help me, as their parent, to model that. I pray that I would seek the Lord and His strength and His presence continually. Allow (name) to see an example in me of what it means to pursue God and find joy and pleasure in Him. I pray this in Jesus’ name, amen.”

Pray without ceasing.

Friends, can I ask a favor? If you’ve purchased and/or read 40 Days of Prayer for the Prodigal, would you be willing to leave a review? I’m so convicted that this book can bring hope and encouragement to those praying for prodigals and I am praying God would use it mightily. Your review can help point those looking for solid Biblical resources to this book. Thank you!

A Matter of the Heart

A heart condition is serious business.  It demands attention and requires certain actions, choices, and proactive steps to ensure health. Everything the individual does must be in line with supporting their heart health. If their heart fails, the rest of their body will fail as well.  

It is a powerful representation of our spiritual life.  If we know and acknowledge Jesus as our Savior, our hearts are aligned with Him. In light of that, our choices, actions, and what we consume will reflect our alignment with Jesus- all in support of a healthy life in Christ.  It is what we live for and what controls us, or it should be.

If we’re acting, saying, and consuming things that do not reflect and support a godly life, then we’re choosing to damage our spiritual heart and mind and live in conflict with the One we claim is our Lord. It brings into question then, is He truly our Lord? If what we’re choosing is contrary to holiness, then are we truly committed to Christ? You see, if you only claim Jesus as Savior, but not as Lord, you’re still living for yourself, and that’s idolatry.

“Not every one who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven; but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 7:21

If someone was drowning and a brave soul jumped in to rescue them, pull them from the water, and ensure they were safe on dry ground, that person would have a savior.  But if the drowning man chose to spend the remainder of his life demonstrating gratitude to the one who saved them, it would be a life lived differently; a life that reflects a change in values and devotion, a life spent honoring the one who spared him. When you choose a Lord, you serve that One with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Your life reflects your devotion to Him.  

The evidence of true repentance and salvation is more than just a verbal acknowledgement of Jesus as Savior. It is a daily choice to take up your cross and follow Him.  

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Matthew 16:24. What does that mean, ‘take up your cross’? Taking up your cross means being willing to suffer for Jesus, to deny yourself and choose to do His will.  Perhaps it’s sacrificially meeting the needs of the least of these, those who are hungry, homeless, strangers, and orphans.  Maybe it means you choose service over success, or suffering over comfort.  Taking up your cross means willingly defending the faith, even with your life, because Jesus is your Lord and there is nothing better or more valuable to live for. It is a refocusing on the eternal, not the temporal, and an embracing of the promise of spiritual inheritance in God’s kingdom versus material gain and comfort in this life.

As parents, it’s important that we pray for our sons and daughters ‘heart condition’.  Where do they stand with the Lord? They know about Jesus, we’ve taught them much, but do they live for Him? They know the words to say, perhaps they acknowledge Him as their Savior, but is He their Lord? Oh, that we could know each of our children serve Jesus with their whole heart, their whole life! 

There is nothing more valuable that we can share with our sons and daughters than a strong faith in Christ.  Nothing else matters. One day we will all stand before the Lord and give account for our life, our worship, and our devotion. Will He say “Well done, good and faithful servant1” or “Depart from Me, I never knew you.”?

“Heavenly Father, I come before You today and pray that (name) would surrender their whole heart and life to You. Let them be a faithful follower of Jesus, not just in words, but in actions and heart. I pray, Holy Spirit, that You would stir in them a desire to follow after Jesus sincerely and with a deep conviction that regardless of what happens in this life, they are rooted and grounded in Christ, knowing that their life is hidden with Christ in God.  Help them to understand that being ‘in’ Christ encompasses so much- the Greek tells us that ‘in’ it is at all times, in every place, it is their state of being, what works in them and where they find rest (1). Lord, I lift (name)’s heart to You. Give them a healthy spiritual heart that beats always and only for You. Don’t let them be distracted by things that would separate them from You or weaken their spiritual commitment. I pray that they would spend time in Your Word daily, in prayer with You, in deep worship and praise of You so that their heart and mind would be transformed by the power of Your Word. I pray these things in Jesus’ name, amen.”

Pray without ceasing.

Are you praying for a prodigal? Oh the heartache and heaviness of battling in prayer for one who needs to return to Jesus! Yet, you’re praying to the One who made their heart and knows it completely. 40 Days of Prayer for the Prodigal is a great Bible-based resource to guide your prayer journey and bring you closer to the Lord with each passing day. Get your copy today and transform your prayer life in significant ways!

Available on Amazon

Praying for Godly Relationships

When I was growing up, my parents used to tell me and my sisters two gems of wisdom as we approached dating. The first was, every date is a potential mate. The second was a hard and fast rule…no ‘missionary dating’.  My parents knew that it was important to be intentional about the relationships we cultivated, not only friendships, but those dating relationships that could lead to marriage.  

We were brought up to guard our heart, to use wisdom and spiritual discernment to make wise decisions about into whom we would choose to invest our time, our efforts, and our hearts. is that young man a man after God’s own heart? Is he fully committed to following Jesus or does he just know the right words to say? Scripture tells us that marriage should be between believers, no ‘unequal yokes’. 

What does that even mean? An unequal yoke?  Think back to pre-industrial revolution farming-  the days when farmers would use horses or oxen to pull their plows. It was important that the two animals be equal in size and strength, otherwise they wouldn’t work together.  If you paired a Clydesdale and a Shetland, you would have disaster on so many levels.  Nothing would be plowed, the farmer would be exhausted trying to wrangle two animals that could not, would not work together and, ultimately, people would go hungry because nothing would be planted or harvested.  But if you put two Clydesdales together, man-o-man would you be getting things done!  They pull together well, their temperaments are suited to the hard work, and they take joy in doing what they’re created to do.  

God used the same analogy in 2 Corinthians 6:14 “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?”  When we step into dating or marriage relationships with others who do not have a personal relationship with God, it never goes well.  Believers have the foundation of Jesus Christ, they rely on the Truth of Scripture, they are indwelled by the Holy Spirit.  Someone who is not a believer is coming from a totally different perspective, value-system, and attitude of worship.  What do they worship?  If not Jesus, it is self-worship and idolatry.  How then, can a marriage relationship work well?  It cannot be God-honoring if one of the partners doesn’t choose to honor God with their life, their choices, their worship.

As parents, we need to pray for our sons and daughters, that they would wisely choose a husband or wife that is a growing believer, surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. We need to pray that our sons know the qualities of a noble woman and they use spiritual discernment to pursue someone who exhibits those qualities.  It’s not enough that they ‘know’ Jesus.. Even the demons know Jesus.  No, that potential mate needs to be in a committed relationship with Jesus Christ so that He is the One for whom they live and from whom they seek wisdom and guidance.  Jesus needs to be preeminent in their life.  And that other person should be seeking someone who lives and believes the same…if our son or daughter isn’t living that way, it’s unlikely they will find a spouse who is.

“An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.” 

Proverbs 31:20 

As believing parents, we must pray that our sons find an excellent wife, not just a pretty face. That word ‘excellent’ is the Hebrew word “hayil” and it means virtue, uprightness, and integrity (1).  Proverbs 31 is a whole chapter dedicated to the description of such a woman.  But take a look at the Book of Ruth. It is the account of a woman who lived out ‘hayil’ in so many ways.  Both her future husband, Boaz and the entire village of Bethlehem noted her character and godly attitudes, using that same word to describe her (Ruth 3;11, Ruth 4:11). 

Who will be a Godly wife to our sons? Let it be a woman of integrity, clothed in strength and dignity, one who opens her mouth with wisdom and kindness is on her tongue. Pray that the woman our son chooses is a woman who fears the Lord.  (Proverbs 31:25-26,30)

We should pray, too, for our daughters, that they seek a man after God’s own heart. 

When God chose a King for Israel, He instructed Samuel to anoint David, the youngest son of Jesse, the shepherd boy.  Samuel looked at all of Jesse’s sons, the older, stronger, more valiant, more ‘worthy’, yet it was the shepherd that God chose.

“But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.””

1 Samuel 16:7

Who will shepherd our daughter’s heart?  Let it be a man after God’s own heart. Pray that the man our daughter marries is one who would love her like Christ loves the church- sacrificially, selflessly, protectively and in a way that honors God above all (Ephesians 5:25).

Despite the fact that they’re adults, we can still shepherd our sons and daughters through prayer and as they navigate relationships, they need our prayers more than ever! It’s important that we ask the Lord to give our sons and daughters the spiritual discernment to look on the heart of another and recognize whether that person truly loves Jesus or if they only pretend for the sake of the relationship.  Authenticity and a heart of worship towards Jesus cannot be feigned.  There will be fruit, is it fresh or is it rotten? Pray that they can set aside their own desires, look beyond their own agenda, and pray for God’s will and direction.

Let’s activate some purposeful, diligent prayer, asking God to bring the spouse of His choosing to our sons and daughters with whom they would be better together. Pray for a marriage in which they would spur one another on to serve God and bring Him glory.  Marriage is a covenant, not meant to be broken, and designed to reflect Christ and the church.  Intentional prayer, asking God to design and effect this for our sons and daughters is a responsibility and privilege of believing parents.  Let us pursue that prayer today!

“Oh, Heavenly Father, You are a good Father.  You love us and gave your Son so that we might have life, and not just life, but abundant, eternal, joyful life in Your Presence!  Lord, I know You desire that every marriage relationship would be a reflection of Christ and the church- a covenant that cannot be broken and is marked by sacrifice for the other. You desire to see a love that is demonstrated in patience, kindness, and humility, and genuine care for the other person, with attitudes of graciousness like Christ. Lord, I pray for (name) right now that You would lead them to a God-honoring relationship and marriage with the one You choose for them, in Your time.  Help (name) not to be anxious or impatient but to trust You and Your timing.  Help them to wait with hope that You are working everything for their good and Your glory.  I pray for (name)’s future spouse.  Grow them into the (man/woman) of God that You desire them to be.  Bring other believers alongside them to disciple them, mentor them, encourage them and provide accountability for them.  Lord, I pray that my son would be a man after Your own heart.  I pray that my daughter would be a woman of excellent character, noble and worthy, fearing the Lord.  Let their walk with Jesus be evident to others so that those attracted to them, would be attracted to their heart for the Lord.  I pray Your hand of protection over them.  Keep them from being distracted by charm- it’s deceitful. Keep them from being lured by beauty that is only skin deep.  I pray that my son/daughter would be so committed to and in love with Jesus that they would have keen discernment to choose a spouse who believes the same and has a heart for God.  Lord, I know that You are orchestrating their life, help them to be surrendered to Your leadership and Your timing.  I pray that when they do marry, it would be a God-honoring event and relationship that would reflect Christ and the church in significant ways.  Lord, use each of us to bring glory to Your name, in Jesus’ name I pray, amen.”

Pray without ceasing.

1. H2428 - ḥayil - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (esv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h2428/esv/wlc/0-1/

Are you praying for a prodigal?  Don’t lose heart. God sees and He hears.  Keep laying your burdens in prayer at the feet of Jesus.  Trust Him, He is working.  You may not see it, but He works in dimensions that are beyond our comprehension.  Pray for those friends and associates that interact with your beloved prodigal, that God would use them to bring them to full surrender to Jesus as Lord.

40 Days of Prayer for the Prodigal is a powerful book for anyone deeply in prayer for the heart of their loved one. The book addresses the battle for the heart, mind, and soul of the prodigal through praying Scripture boldly and consistently with faith that God will bring repentance and restoration. Pray the words of Scripture in powerful and effective ways to plead with God about the  condition and situation of your beloved prodigal and watch God work!

Grab your copy today! 

Available on Amazon

Have you read 40 Days of Prayer for the Prodigal? Consider leaving a review! There are so many who could benefit from this resource, let them know! God is moving and working!

Seasons of Parenting

“For everything there is a season,

and a time for every matter under heaven:”

Ecclesiastes 3:1

Changing seasons can be hard, both on the calendar and in life.  We find we get comfortable in a season and we want to stay there, enjoying what we know, managing what we’ve become accustomed to, and not wanting change or challenge.  Too often, instead of celebrating something new, we grieve the changing of the seasons like there’s been a death and we mourn the end of what was that will never be again.

Parenting exists in seasons as well. Sometimes we fixate on the next season to come (Oh, when they’re finally sleeping through the night… when they’re potty trained…when they go to school) yet we miss the beauty and sacredness of the current season for the longing we have for the next. If we pined for summer when spring barely arrived, we would miss the beauty of new creation blooming from the softening earth, the flowers stretching toward the sunshine and the fresh green leaves unfolding to their full expanse, soaking up the warming rays of sun. There is much beauty in the Spring, in spite of the rainy, muddy, messy weather that often accompanies it.

Each new season brings new discoveries about us and our children.  We learn new things about ourselves and we watch in fascination as our children discover the world around them. We encounter pain and loss, but with them come growth and maturity. We learn from mistakes and we watch as our children do as well, and the next time they encounter the challenge, they meet it with greater wisdom and practiced experience.  Each new day is a day neither parent or child has lived before, isn’t that comforting? Both enter it as novices and finish it having mastered it as best they could and better prepared to do it again on the next new day. And God, in His graciousness, daily gives us new opportunities and new mercy to continue to learn, grow, and deepen our love for Him.

We watch our children grow up through the seasons and finally set out on their own and we see the autumn of our life creeping up on us, certain that our most vibrant  years are fading behind us.  But friends, look around you.  The autumn season brings some of the most vibrant colors and earthy fragrances that remind us of cozy fires, sweet fellowship, and drawing near for warmth and comfort.  Seasons are God’s way of renewing us and growing us in so many ways.

When we look at a tree, the rings inside tell a story.  We can see times of growth, times of drought, and even times of fire.  Our lives tell the same.  The seasons that God leads us through grow us into the mothers and fathers He desires us to be.  New growth in the spring often leads to mature fruit that flourishes in the summer.  Autumn brings a change of color and each tree seems to become even more individual from the others, showing colors all their own and bursting with the oranges, yellows, reds and golds that shout the glory of God in the autumn sun.  The individuality of each tree is more noticeable in the autumn. But then comes winter.  The leaves fall off, dried, brown and crunchy or limp under foot.  The branches are bare and the bones of the trees are exposed for all to see.  There is little beauty in the exposed, brown bark of the winter tree.  Yet there is still life inside and a resting and renewal process that is working under the surface, preparing for another season of fruit. Autumn isn’t the harbinger of death, it’s a signal of coming rest and renewal in which God does a deep work under the surface.

That’s how God works in us.  We’re not always going to be bearing bushels of fruit 100% of the time.  Psalm 1:3 tell us, “He [the man who delights in the Lord] is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.”  Did you catch that?  In its season.  The Hebrew word is ‘et’ and it means a fit and proper time (1). God doesn’t push us to be fruitful before we’re ready.  He prepares us, plants us, waters us, and gives us what we need to be fruitful for Him, as long as we remain rooted in His living water and the Truth of the Word. A tree doesn’t bear fruit right away, sometimes it takes years, the right climate, the right nourishment, and nurturing to help it grow.

We did that for our children, but friends, we need to be mindful of our own nourishment and growth.  We need to recognize that just because the ‘nest’ is empty, does not mean our usefulness is complete. If we’re nearing the autumn of our life, there is still much to do and much glory to bring to the Lord!  We need to be mindful of setting an example to our sons and daughters that our purpose in life was not simply to raise them, but our purpose was and is to glorify God and enjoy Him throughout every season of our lives.  

Though our sons and daughters may be grown and flown, our nest is still useful! Titus 2 tells us that the older women should teach the younger women.  Who is teaching our daughters…and whose daughters are we teaching?  Men, what example are you setting for your sons and for the sons of others? Now is perfect season to dig deeper into scripture, learn more and grow in your knowledge, understanding, discernment, and love of God and His word.  No longer are we consumed with diapers, play dates, sleepless nights and endless laundry.  We have a quiet house that lends itself to focused study and prayer, we can be that tree bearing fruit in so many spectacular ways!

“But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.” Titus 2:1-8

How will your ‘colors’ be on display in this autumn season of life?  Will you choose to be vibrant and allow the Son to change you into something beautiful?  Will you gladly share it with those around you?  Why not be intentional to set a beautiful example for the next generation so that they will look forward to their next season of life, seeing that God works through us in each and every season to bring something beautiful that glorifies Him. Seasons are not the ‘end’ but the signal of a new beginning that holds promise and hope.  Cling tightly to Jesus and let Him fill you in this season to be all He intends you to be for His glory.

”Lord, God, You are the Lord of the Seasons and each one has purpose and design to accomplish what You will for our lives. I pray that in this season of being a parent to adult children, You would help me to push my roots deeper into You, Your Word, and to pursue Your will authentically and purposefully. I know that until I stand before You, I am not finished here and although my children may be grown, there is more for me to do for You. Help me to see where You are leading. Give me opportunities to serve. Help me to be the Titus 2 man or woman that You desire, speaking truth and life into those who are younger, living out the example of a godly man or woman. Lord, I know there is beauty in every season. Help me not to mourn what is behind, but to look eagerly for what is ahead. You are a God of hope and of new mercy. Help me to live in that each day and embrace what it is You have for me to do. Lord, help me to live for Your glory alone and to celebrate your goodness each day. In Jesus’ name, amen.”


Pray without ceasing.

1. H6256 - ʿēṯ - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (esv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h6256/esv/wlc/0-1/

Parenting is Hard, Prayer is Vital

There, I said it.  It’s hard.  Social media would have you believe it’s all glorious and perfect…with just little hiccups between joyful photo shoots.  Nope.  It’s hard.  It can be painful…and ugly. But parenting is also sacred and worshipful.  The Bible shows us from the start that God is our Father and He works to build into us in ways that make us more like Him.  Parenting gives us that opportunity to model God’s character and selfless love. It’s not easy, but it’s beautiful and it’s valuable.

As parents, we sometimes make the mistake of thinking that if we can just get through ‘this’ stage, it will be easier.  But ask any seasoned parent and they will tell you, with each new stage come new challenges and yes, new joys, too.  “I can’t wait until…” is often the mantra of the battle-weary parent, the one who is overwhelmed with sleepless nights, laundry, and diapers.  Then, the toddler years arrive and the child seems to have 1000 hands, boundless energy, and insatiable curiosity. I can’t wait until…. School, all the activities, sports, then driving, and dating, and before you know it, they’re off to college and then working, married, and with their own children.  How did it go so fast?  "I can’t wait until they’re grown and I don’t have to worry any more.” Ah, that is a faulty expectation. When you love someone, you will always carry concern for them, whether they’re 2 or 32. Each new stage of parenting brings new and often more complex prayers.

Our parenting doesn’t end when our sons and daughters become adults.  But our prayers change.  They move from “Lord, please let them sleep… to Lord, please wake them up, spiritually.”  The early years are filled with prayers for their physical growth and safety, along with their spiritual formation.  But as they grow and age, our prayer becomes even deeper because, as a parent, we no longer have the daily influence or the ability to steer them away from negative influences and dark places. Our prayers take on a deeply spiritual direction, not that they were not before, but there becomes a greater urgency and a deeper understanding of eternity and their place in it. The physical needs, although still present, are secondary to their eternal state.  We feel the heaviness of their spiritual condition and direction, we battle on our knees for protection from spiritual attack, and we plead with the Lord for His intervention…and for their recognition of it.

Parenting doesn’t get ‘easier’ it just shifts to another level of support, concern, and intervention- most of it spiritual.  Are you prepared for that?

Some may say, “I don’t know how to pray that way.” Oh friends, prayer isn’t just for the ‘learned’ or those who have a long faith history. Prayer is a practice, a spiritual discipline.  You just do it.  You start where you are and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you.  You have a complete handbook to use- the Bible.  A great way to begin is by praying scripture over your sons and daughters; God’s word never returns void.  It is guaranteed to bear fruit. 

Remember, God works outside of time and space. He sees the end from the beginning.  He’s weaving people, events, places, and resources together in ways we cannot begin to comprehend  all to bring about that which He wills.  When we pray, we not only need to lift up our sons and daughters, but we need to pray for our own heart, that we would be surrendered to what God wants and that He would align our desires with His will. Be cautious.  Too often we pray with an answer or conclusion in mind.  Let God lead.

Today, let’s do just that. Let’s pray Philippians 1:9-11.  It’s straightforward and powerful.  Write it down and carry it with you this week and pray for your sons and daughters that God would do a work in their lives, reflective of the passage.

“And this is my prayer: that (name)’s love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that (name) may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,  filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.” In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Pray without ceasing.

The Power of Forgiveness: breaking the chains that hold us hostage

“But I don’t want to!” 

I’ll admit, that was my own response to the Lord when someone offended me. I wasn’t ready to forgive.  I had all kinds of reasons to delay forgiveness. I wanted to hold onto the offense, coddle it, and hold it close because I was justified to do so (and others would agree, of course!) There was security and power in holding a grudge.  That person wronged me, hurt me, did or said things that were not right.  If I forgave them, I would be letting them ‘off the hook’ and that would be wrong…right?

We struggle to do what Jesus asks us because we think that if we forgive, we’re exonerating that person from their offense and we’re removing their accountability for what they’ve done. “Lord, if I forgive them, then they’re getting away with it!”  Satan deceives us into that mindset, friends along with the delusion that we have that kind of power.  Ultimately, God holds that ‘other’ accountable- He sees and knows.  They will stand before Him and answer for what they’ve done. No one gets away with sin. No one. Sometimes the law or the church can successfully bring justice or resolution, but be assured, the offense will not be forgotten, nor will it be dismissed in the eyes of God.  

But when it comes to our sons and daughters, our protective parental nature steps up to shield our kids and make sure they’re okay. We will fight for them when they cannot stand for themselves.  And we’re even more cautious and hesitant to offer forgiveness because we’re protecting our family and we want justice and to see payment for the offense.

“Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Matthew 18:21

When Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” (Matthew 18:21).  I’m sure Peter thought he was being generous and righteous, taking the higher road, to forgive someone seven times was going above and beyond, right? 

But Jesus' response turned that around.  “Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” (Matthew 18:22)

Why would Jesus say that?

You see, forgiveness is not just for the ‘other’ person.  Forgiveness is for us who are offended and who struggle with the injustice of it.  Forgiving once isn’t enough because those feelings of injustice, hurt, pain, anger, bitterness and more come flooding back into our hearts in ever increasing waves and begin to put distance between us and God.  Oh, we justify it by saying we’re holding that other person accountable. But really, we’re poisoning our own hearts in our quest to justify our hurt and bring accountability to the other. Holding that other person accountable becomes our full time obsession and consumes our thinking, our being and steals our joy.

Studies show that harboring unforgiveness has a physical impact on our bodies.

“Chronic anger puts you into a fight-or-flight mode, which results in numerous changes in heart rate, blood pressure and immune response. Those changes, then, increase the risk of depression, heart disease and diabetes, among other conditions. Forgiveness, however, calms stress levels, leading to improved health.” (1) 

Unforgiveness can damage us for life and lead to a premature death.  It can be all consuming and ruinous.  Why would we allow something to have that much power over us?

The act of forgiveness releases that pain, hurt, and poison.  But it’s never a ‘one and done’ act. We need to forgive as many times as it takes for our head and heart to recognize and believe that we can trust GOD to hold that other person accountable and to be confident He will bring justice- it’s not for us to ensure.  Oh, if laws were broken and restitution is needed, of course it’s important to engage the legal system.  But friends, it’s even more important to engage our hearts with the Lord and surrender to His Lordship.  Why would we let someone else’s offense damage our relationship with God?  Then their offense becomes doubly-damaging.

It is not our responsibility to be the prosecuting attorney in the courtroom of the Lord.  That’s just not our job.  Essentially, when we do that, we are putting ourselves in God’s place and friends, that’s idolatry.  When we refuse to forgive, we are telling God we don’t trust Him to bring justice and resolution.  We question His authority, His power, and His lordship in our lives when we cling to unforgiveness. When we hold onto an offense, it becomes the ‘third wheel’ in the relationship and soon, it becomes the focus and God takes a back seat.

Instead, every time we feel that anger, bitterness, and pain bubble up, we need to say “I forgive them.”  Say it out loud, say it in your heart, say it to the Lord, and pray that He would help you feel that forgiveness.  We need to continue saying it until we truly feel the forgiveness that releases us from the bondage of bitterness that would damage our communion with the Lord.  We need to say it until we are no longer consumed by it.

Jesus told Peter to forgive seventy times seven because He knew how an offense and the resulting bitterness linger and unless we’re willing to give it to the Lord and allow Him to be our avenger, we will become hardened, bitter, and a victim of that offense all over again, and again, and again. 

“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” Mark 11:25

Jesus also told Peter, “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” (Mark 11:25). Think about that!  Do we want Jesus to forgive us?  If so, then we need to forgive others.  

Do you ever feel like your prayers are hitting the ceiling but not reaching the Lord? Could it be you need to do some forgiving?

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Luke 6:37

Now here’s an important parenting moment….of course our sons and daughters have encountered hurt and offense…how do we advise them?  And do we carry a grudge on their behalf? 

Oh, friends, when someone wrongs our kids, the “Momma bear” can come out and take over, right? But if we want to be an example of Christ to our sons and daughters, we need to model Jesus to them. Jesus forgave those who crucified Him.  Think about that.  Jesus forgave those who put Him to death. He knew that He held the ultimate power and that one day those same people would stand before Him…His love for them and His desire to see them know and follow Him as Lord and Savior eclipsed everything else.  Would Jesus deny them salvation?  No!  That was the very reason He was willing to die. And friends, that same Savior who holds ultimate power is the One who lives in us.  That same power that raised Him from the dead is the same power that works in us (Ephesians 1:18-20). The same Lord who conquered sin and death is the Lord who is in control of every aspect of our life. Why would we set that aside for the sake of holding onto the sinful attitude of unforgiveness?

Do we have a heart for others that, more than earthly justice and payback to others, wants to see lost people saved?  Do we want to see lives changed and surrendered to the Lord or are we clinging to our need for personal justice and accountability at the cost of eternity?

True freedom comes by praying for those who have hurt you.  Pray for their heart- that they would find forgiveness and purpose with life in Christ.  And pray that Jesus would heal your heart and help you forgive.  There is so much freedom in forgiveness.  There is joy, there is purpose, and there is a pathway to serving the Lord free from the chains of bitterness and unforgiveness. Satan uses unforgiveness to hold us hostage, but freedom is found in Christ and in the forgiveness He empowers us to embrace.

“Forgive.  Seventy times seven and keep forgiving until God grants you the freedom from the bondage of unforgiveness.”

The best thing we can do is to pray.

“Oh, Lord, it’s so hard to surrender control over the situations and people who have hurt me.  I know I don’t have the ability to bring justice, to make them pay for their offenses, and to restore what was lost.  Yet I’m afraid to let go and forgive because it seems counter-productive and in my mind and heart. In my human mind, forgiveness releases them from being accountable.  But Lord, I know You see it and You will take it in hand.  Psalm 10:14 reminds me, “But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted; you consider their grief and take it in hand. The victims commit themselves to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.”  I am not Fatherless, Lord, because I have You.  I pray that You would see my trouble.  See the trouble of (name), my (son/daughter).  I ask that You would bring healing and freedom from the pain of the wrong done and from the bitterness and anger that fester.  Give us courage and strength to forgive, not just for the other person, but to maintain our relationship with You.  Please help us to not allow this to stand in the way of our fellowship with You.  So right now, I choose to forgive (name) for what they did and the pain they caused.  I forgive them Lord and pray that You would work in their life, bring confession, repentance, and redemption so that (name) would come to know You as Lord and Savior.  Help (name) to recognize that hurting others only tightens the chains of bondage that Satan holds over them and to understand that there is boundless spiritual freedom in following Jesus as Lord and. Bring healing and freedom to all of us, Lord.  I pray this in Jesus’ name, amen.”

Pray without ceasing.

1. Forgiveness: Your health depends on it. Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2024, June 20). https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/forgiveness-your-health-depends-on-it 

Are you praying for a prodigal?  Don’t lose heart. God sees and He hears.  Keep laying your burdens in prayer at the feet of Jesus.  Trust Him, He is working.  You may not see it, but He works in dimensions that are beyond our comprehension.  Pray for those friends and associates that interact with your beloved prodigal, that God would use them to bring them to full surrender to Jesus as Lord.

40 Days of Prayer for the Prodigal is a powerful book for anyone deeply in prayer for the heart of their loved one. The book addresses the battle for the heart, mind, and soul of the prodigal through praying Scripture boldly and consistently with faith that God will bring repentance and restoration. Pray the words of Scripture in powerful and effective ways to plead with God about the  condition and situation of your beloved prodigal and watch God work!

Grab your copy today! 

Available on Amazon

Have you read 40 Days of Prayer for the Prodigal? Consider leaving a review! There are so many who could benefit from this resource, let them know! God is moving and working!

Battling Destructive Thoughts and Words

“The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Proverbs 12:18

Imagine an old brick house covered in ivy.  It looks beautiful and mysterious. The ivy creeps over the walls and the house takes on a different personality as the ivy spreads. But the ivy plant has root tendrils on the vines that penetrate into the surface of whatever it climbs on. Those roots attach the vine to the brick and mortar and begin to draw out the moisture.  The vines spread and the leaves cover the walls and windows, blocking out the light. The vines will work their way under siding, in through windows and eventually, the ivy will damage the brick and destroy the mortar, compromising the integrity of the structure. Though it looks ‘pretty’ it becomes a silent enemy that will eventually destroy a house.

The power of words

Words can be similar to that ivy.  They may seem innocent at first, just a surface thing that doesn’t do harm.  But they can penetrate and cause damage, blocking out the light of Truth and drawing away the Living Water.  Words can become dark thoughts that linger and penetrate into the heart and mind and cause destruction.

Our sons and daughters struggle with the battle against destructive words, even if they won’t admit it, because we know we do too…even if we won’t admit it.  If asked to remember the kindest thing someone ever said to us, we might take a few moments to recall.  But if asked to share the hardest or most hurtful thing, we can almost immediately call it to mind.  Harsh words stick like glue.

This world is hard and the messaging that is being thrown at our sons and daughters is brutal. Standards they should attain to, but that are nearly impossible to meet; negative messaging that tears down their self-worth; comparisons that daily steal their joy - it all accumulates and festers. It creates a narrative that becomes their daily soundtrack. Sometimes we recognize the struggle in our children, other times they hide it well, but we know the negative words and messages are bombarding them and making an impact.

As believing parents, we have a responsibility to keep speaking truth into their lives, not just when they need it, but all the time.  Will we wait and just ‘admire the proverbial ivy’ while it slowly and steadily destroys them, or will we begin to speak truth in ways that could transform their hearts and minds? Will we begin to tear down the destructive “ivy” of negative words and dark thoughts that would penetrate and destroy? We need to ensure that the messages they are hearing are Godly and right and will impact them for good.  We cannot risk them struggling with  dark thoughts that become deeply rooted and cause cracks in their spiritual foundation.

We can and should speak truth in love and point them to the power of the cross and the resurrection, not just when we see them struggling, but at every opportunity.  There is power in the name of Jesus and the gospel is for everyone, everyday, not just on the day of salvation.

The best way to preserve a house from the damage of creeping ivy is to remove it- all of it.  It’s not welcome.  It’s destructive.  And so it is with the words we choose to listen to, the values we choose to embrace, the practices we choose to engage in. If they are not Godly and we allow them to cling to us and take root, they will begin to change our stability and alter our spiritual integrity and obscure the light of God from our life.

So how do we best combat dark, destructive thoughts?

Scripture says “Take every thought captive” that comes from 2 Corinthians 10:5 “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”

1. Demolish arguments.

What is it that you are listening to?  What is trying to define you?  What arguments are speaking into your worth and value?  Evaluate their truth and pull down those lies from the pit that are trying to root themselves into your heart and mind.  Don’t allow them to take hold and do damage.

The arguments are what the Greek calls “logismos” and it means a speculation or imagination (1).  Do you see?  There is little basis in truth, if any.  It’s a guess, it’s an idea, it’s nothing that would hold up in court because there is little to no evidence to support it.  Demolish it.

2. Demolish pretensions.

Pretentions are those ‘lofty thoughts’.  The Greek word is ‘hypsoma’ and it means an elevated place or thing, or a barrier (2).  What are the imagined barriers or those obstacles that situations or people put up in front of us?  What are those things that exalt themselves over the truth of Scripture?  Are they godly?  Are they worthy?  Are they deserving of our time, energy, and emotions?  If not, knock them down.  Detour around them.  Break through them.  Don’t invest in them because when you do, you’re redirecting your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual resources to something that is not of Godly.

3. Demolish every thing that sets itself up against the knowledge of God.

John 1:1-5 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

Evaluate the thoughts and feelings against the truth of John 1:1-5.  Where do they originate?  Do they honor and exalt God?  Are they thoughts and feelings God would give you? Do they speak life and light or are they representing darkness, confusion, and oppression?  Rebuke any thoughts that do not represent Christ - they are of the enemy and should not have a place in your life.  Do not give the enemy a foothold.  Tear them down and focus on what is good, just, pure, and lovely (Phil 4:8).  If something is set against God, it is not promoting or sustaining the fruit of the Spirit- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23).  The fruit of the Spirit is a great standard by which to gauge the godliness of thoughts, feelings, words, and actions.

4. Take every thought captive and bring it into obedience.

The Greek word here is aichmalōtizō and it means to conquer, bring under control, or to master (3).  We have the ability to ‘pump the brakes’ and stop our wrong thinking.  We have the capacity to arrest the wild thoughts, bring an end to the oppressive, accusatory dialogue and to, instead, set our minds on things that glorify the Lord.  Is it easy?  No.  Is it possible?  Absolutely!

5. Finally, choose to make our thoughts obedient to that which pleases God.

We must choose to do what the Greek calls hypakoē, which means attentive listening, compliance or submission (4).  We must choose to bring our thoughts and feelings into compliance to God’s will, not leave them to the mercy of the arguments and pretensions that set themselves up against God and against His image-bearer.  

Colossians 3:1-3 is the confirmation we need.

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”  Set your hearts.  Make the choice.  Be intentional.

The enemy wants us to live in the darkness of death.  He deceives us into thinking that we are condemned and we have no hope.  He lures us into lingering in the shadows- but our Savior walks through the shadows with us and it’s because of His light we can see the dangers and be confident of His protection!  He prepares a table before us in the presence of our enemies, Psalm 23.  We can rejoice and celebrate because Christ has won!  We are redeemed!  The enemy holds no power over us unless we allow it, and why would we?

Demolish it.  Take it captive.  Bring every thought into obedience.

These are the steps to overcome negative, dark, depressive thinking.  These are the steps to a victorious mindset. We must choose where we will allow our thoughts to reside.  We must choose what we will speak into the lives of others.  It is important and urgent that we choose wisely and encourage our sons and daughters with the same.

Commit to pray

“Father, God, You see the struggles I have with my own thoughts and feelings.  I know You see (name), too.  You understand their struggles, their fears, their doubts and self-doubt.  You see the enemy trying to leech living water and spiritual nutrition from them as he entwines his dark thoughts and casts his shadow of worthlessness and doubt.  I rebuke this in Jesus name!  I pray that You would help (name) to take every thought captive.  As soon as those negative, questioning, dark thoughts begin to linger, I pray that they would capture them, rebuke them, and shift their thinking to what is right and true.  Speak into them, Lord, their worth as a child of God, chosen and dearly loved.  Strengthen them through Your Holy Spirit to demolish the arguments that would set themselves up against Your Word, Your Character, Your Truth.  I pray that they would daily, moment by moment, bring every thought into obedience to You and Your will so they can live in victory.  I pray that You would bring to mind Scripture that would encourage them.  Help them to evaluate what they hear and choose to believe against Philippians 4:8 “...whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].” (AMP) Lord, You are able to transform their mind and I  pray You would do that, even today.  Let the words of their mouth and the meditation of their heart be pleasing to You, Psalm 19:14. I pray this in Jesus name, amen.”

Pray without ceasing

If you don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus and you would like to know more, keep reading! Scripture says we’ve all sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Though we live ‘rightly’, do good, give of our time and resources, it’s not enough. Our sin is too great for us to atone for. But Jesus, the Son of God, came in human form to live among us and to be a sacrifice for our sin- for the sin of the world. He lived a sinless life and died on our behalf so that we could be reconciled to God. In our sin, we cannot stand before a righteous and just God- we have no good in us. All of our ‘righteousness’ is just like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). But God demonstrated His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). Jesus became the sacrifice for our sin on our behalf. He paid the price for our sin once, for all. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, God looks on us and sees Jesus. We are made holy and just. We are acceptable to God because of Jesus’ sacrifice. When we choose to follow Jesus, we make Him the focal point of our life, we pattern our life after Him and we live to serve and please Him. He promises everlasting life in His presence and an inheritance unlike any other. “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you are saved.” Romans 10:9 This is not religion, it’s not a set of rules or a checklist of things you must accomplish, it’s a personal relationship with the One True God, the Almighty, Creator of the Universe and lover of our souls. Would you choose to follow Jesus today? Pray this prayer,

“Lord, I know that I’m a sinner. I’ve done many things wrong, thought things that were impure, said things that were hurtful. Lord, I’m undeserving. But I believe Jesus died for my sin. I believe He rose again from the dead, conquering sin and death and that He lives eternally. I confess my sin and ask for Your forgiveness. I want Jesus to be Lord of my life. I ask Jesus, that You would be my Lord and Savior. Forgive me. Cleanse me. Make me new and give me life beyond the grave. Thank you for forgiveness and for the hope of heaven. In Jesus’s name, amen.”

If you prayed this prayer, reach out! I would be so happy to give you some resources and some encouragement! Knowing Jesus truly is life-changing!

1. G3053 - logismos - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g3053/niv/mgnt/0-1/

2. G5313 - hypsōma - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g5313/niv/mgnt/0-1/

3. G163 - aichmalōtizō - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g163/niv/mgnt/0-1/

4. G5218 - hypakoē - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g5218/niv/mgnt/0-1/

Questioning God

“How long, O Lord , must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, "Violence!" but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds.” Habakkuk 1:2-3

Some might think that questioning God demonstrates a rebellious attitude toward God, a lack of fear of Him, or perhaps a weak faith.  Others would say it’s not for man to question God, yet God has given us a reasoning mind that, when we don’t understand something, will ask questions and seek truth and wrestle with things beyond our ability to grasp.

We may even hesitate to admit that we’ve questioned God ourselves in the midst of tragedy, pain, loss, or hardship.  Why?  Why, Lord?  Why me?  Why now?  Why this?  Why not healing, rescue, deliverance? 

Our limited minds cannot grasp the eternal, limitless mind of God.  Yet we try…and then we get angry or bitter towards Him when we don’t get the answers we think we deserve or we fall into despair thinking that we’ve been punished or abandoned.  Oh how our minds jump to conclusions!

Just as we explained to our sons and daughters as we raised them, there is a right way and a wrong way to ask questions.  The same applies when we talk to God.  There is a right way and a wrong way to question Him. Below are some steps to ensure the questioning is with a right heart and doesn’t become accusing and bitter.

1. First, determine your motivation.

   Are your questions coming from a place of truly wanting to know and understand, or are they motivated by bitterness, anger, and a desire to rail at God? Because one is inquiry and the other is accusatory.

   “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” Proverbs 4:23

2. Have a heart of humility.

   Know your place.  Who is God?  Who are you? Where do you stand in that relationship?  Before we bring any questions to God, we must acknowledge Who God is.  We need to humble ourselves before Him.

“I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’” Isaiah 46:9-10

“Who among the gods is like you, Lord? Who is like you— majestic in holiness,  awesome in glory, working wonders?” Exodus 15:11

A great Biblical example is the conversation between Job and God.  Despite all of the suffering God allowed in Job’s life, He was still sovereign and still very much in control.  When Job began to question Him, God responded and reminded Job of his position and of God’s eternal nature, perfect wisdom, unmatched power, and sovereign authority:

“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?

    Tell me, if you understand. 

Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!

Have you ever given orders to the morning,

    or shown the dawn its place,

Have you journeyed to the springs of the sea

    or walked in the recesses of the deep?

Have the gates of death been shown to you?

    Have you seen the gates of the deepest darkness?

Have you comprehended the vast expanses of the earth?

    Tell me, if you know all this.

“Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him?

    Let him who accuses God answer him!” Job 38:4-5, 12, 16-18;  Job 40:2

Job responded in humility.  He understood his place.  He realized that the Sovereign God could choose to do whatever He planned.  It was not for Job to question, but to trust.  

Then Job replied to the Lord:

“I know that you can do anything,
    and no one can stop you.”

“You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’
    It is I—and I was talking about things I knew nothing about,
    things far too wonderful for me.”  Job 42:1-3

3. Take time to learn the attributes of God.

As human beings, we have finite understanding and experience.  We are time bound and limited; we struggle to grasp the eternal and really anything that exceeds our boundaries or occurs outside of our senses.  If we learn about God’s character and attributes, we will gain perspective on our situation and our distress in light of eternity and in the bounds of God’s sovereignty. It can temper our bitterness to enable us to surrender in the Presence of God and to HIs purpose and plan:

God is Eternal

“Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” Ps 90:2

“Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away, but you are the same, and your years have no end.” Ps 102:25-27

God is Sovereign

“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.” Isa 40:28

God’s wisdom and power is limitless and unsearchable

“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.” Isaiah 40:28

God is omniscient, knowing all, and He is omnipotent-all powerful. He has purpose in whatever hardship He allows and is fully in control over them.

“But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love be with us, LORD, even as we put our hope in you.” Psalm 33:18-22

God has plans and purposes beyond our understanding

“Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides You, Who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him.” Isaiah 64:4

4. Know that any spiritual discernment and understanding of the situation will only come through the Holy Spirit.  

Our limited, mortal minds cannot begin grasp the eternal, spiritual nature of God’s work. We need the intervention and disclosure of the Holy Spirit to enable us to discern God’s work.

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him” 1 Corinthians 2:9

Corinthians goes on to say, “But God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 2:10

“We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.” 1 Corinthians 2:12

5. Respond, don’t react.

Instead of reacting to the situation and circumstances, we need to choose to respond.  Lord, what would you have me learn?  What is it I need to understand?

Rather than allowing ourselves to cave in to anger, we need to seek the Lord and ask the Holy Spirit to work in our hearts and minds to reveal to us what God is doing and what his purpose is.   It is the difference between being godly over being fleshly.

“The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.” I Corinthians 2:14

We must ask ourselves, is our response a reflection of wisdom or foolishness.  Are we trusting in circumstances or the Sovereign Lord.  Are we willing to walk in faith?

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1

It’s easy to trust when you see things playing out logically, or in ways that benefit your goals and dreams.  But faith is trusting what we do not see and having confidence in the promises of God, even when it’s not easily discerned. We must remember,

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him” 1 Corinthians 2:9

When our sons and daughters encounter trouble and hardship (and they will) we as parents, mentors, and friends have a choice.  What will we say in response to their questions? How will we counsel them? Will we react in kind and lose our self control, becoming angry or hysterical, or will we respond with Godly wisdom and the peace that passes understanding?  If we know Jesus as our Savior and are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, we should always choose the latter. 

Questioning God is something that we all will do at some point in our lives because we will all face circumstances and challenges that exceed our capacity to understand and surpass our coping skills and overwhelm our heart’s ability to embrace.  Yet, God is there.  He’s waiting to hear from us, He’s ready to answer, and He’s always present to supply our needs and sustain us through whatever it is we’re facing.

"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." John 16:33

Far too often, our reactions demonstrate we have more faith in the power of our circumstances to destroy us than in the Sovereign God of the Universe to deliver us.

Let’s be purposeful to point our sons and daughters to the cross.  Let’s be deliberate about doing the same when we face hardship ourselves.  Our children learn by watching us- even as adults.  Let’s give them something worthy to emulate.  Jesus and only Jesus should be our focus, our desire, our comfort, our refuge, and our strength.  If we’re drawing strength and peace from another source, it’s artificial and cannot sustain us. Let’s go to the Authentic Source of life, strength, purpose and peace. Let’s cling tightly to Jesus.

“Oh Lord, God of the heavens and the earth.  Before this world ever began, You were.  You are always present and working.  You always will be- You are eternal.  That is more than my mind can grasp and for that I am so grateful.  I know that my God is bigger than anything I will ever face, stronger than any enemy, and Your wisdom is more profound than I can comprehend. I pray that You would give me strength, discernment, and wisdom to encourage my sons and daughters.  I pray especially for (name) as they struggle.  Lord, You see them, You love them, and I know You have a purpose and plan that is beyond our understanding.  I pray that You will protect them from bitterness.  Open their eyes to see whether they are responding to you or reacting in anger and bitterness. Give them a humble heart to listen for Your voice and trust Your work.  Lord, even when they don’t understand, help them to rely on Your goodness, Your lovingkindness, Your Sovereign power and Your eternal plan. Remind them of Your attributes.  Then, give them strength and wisdom to seek the Holy Spirit for discernment.  Lord, if they do not know you personally, if they are walking a path that is not with Jesus, I pray that You would use this situation to bring them to repentance and to salvation in Jesus through His death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead.  Fill them with joy in Your Presence so that no matter what circumstances they face here, they know you have far better things planned for them in eternity with You, things that our minds can’t even begin to imagine.  I pray, Father, that through Your Son, Jesus and through the Holy Spirit working, alive and active in their heart, that they would listen for Your voice, be ready for Your answers, and be trusting that You will never leave or forsake them.  Give me courage to support them correctly, using Your Word and Your wisdom to point them to Jesus, again and again.  In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.”

Be still, my soul! the Lord is on your side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to your God to order and provide;
In ev'ry change he faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul! your best, your heav’nly friend
Thru' thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul! your God does undertake
To guide the future as he has the past;
Your hope, your confidence, let nothing shake;
all now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul! the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while he lived below.

Kathrina von Schlegel (1)

Pray without ceasing.

1. von Schlegel, K. (1752). Be still, my soul. Hymnary.org. https://hymnary.org/text/be_still_my_soul_the_lord_is_on_thy_side#Author

Remedy for a Troubled Heart

“Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27b

“Let not your hearts be troubled.”

That’s easier said than done, right?

“Let not your hearts be troubled.”

It was what Jesus’ said to the disciples.

It’s likely we’ve heard that statement a lot.  We’re familiar with the passage of scripture.  But have we really considered the meaning of those words and the context in which they were spoken a little more closely.

It was at the Last Supper, the Passover, when Jesus predicted His betrayal and death to the disciples. There was much going on, both around the table and in the spiritual realm.  The disciples didn’t fully understand and there were whispers of “Ask Him who it is” and questions of “Lord, will I be the one to betray You?” The Lord was trying to prepare the disciples for what was to come both in the immediate hours and in the days, months, and years following.

Ponder that.  Jesus knew His death was near.  He understood the pain and suffering He would endure. He knew that His death and resurrection would seal eternity for all who confessed and believed in His name, but it would cost Him everything to secure that for us.  He also knew the spiritual battles would be strong and the powers of heaven and hell would be raging.  Satan would rejoice, thinking he had won- finally defeating the Son of God.  The demons would become even more aggressive against anyone bearing the name of Christ. Heaven would sorrow at His death and then rejoice at the mighty victory over sin and eternal death.  And Jesus knew His disciples would face persecution and death because they carried His name.  The battle was only beginning.

In the context of all of that, Jesus said something profound that we should ponder. He said, “Let not your heart be troubled.”  Let not… meaning, do not allow it. 

Jesus knew the disciples would be faced with a choice: they could come undone at the death of their Lord and hide in fear, or they could embrace the power of the Lord Jesus and be bold and courageous and do what He had instructed them to do.  And Jesus knew, centuries later, we would need to hear the same message because we, too, would be faced with difficult choices, with mistreatment and derision for our faith, and with hardship and suffering because we represent the name of Christ.  

Philippians 1:29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him,

In this world we will have trouble (John 16:33), because this world is not our home.  This world is the kingdom of the Prince of the Power of the Air- Satan (Ephesians 2:2).  And we are aliens and strangers here (1 Peter 2:9-11), unwelcome by and a target of the spiritual authorities under the control of Satan (Ephesians 6:12). 

Anytime we are faced with a struggle, with pain, with hardship, with terror, with uncertainty, we have a choice.  We can either allow our hearts to go ‘there’ and be filled with anxiety and paralyzed by fear, or we can take every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5).

As a parent, this is a daily struggle, whether or not we choose to admit it.  We worry.  We panic.  We fear.  There are so many things that can threaten the safety and well-being of our sons and daughters. But friends, giving into that fear is a choice that we make. It is socially acceptable to be a worrying parent. We let our hearts be troubled and we don’t make an intentional choice to stop.

The word troubled, in Greek, is the word tarasso, and it means “to stir or agitate, as if to boil water, to trouble a thing by moving it’s parts to and fro; to cause one inward commotion, take away his calmness of mind, disturb his equanimity; to disquiet, make restless" 1

We allow our minds to run with all of the scenarios, we worry, we stress, we lie awake at night and our minds tumble like a washing machine on the spin cycle, all of the ‘what ifs’ are followed by the ‘and thens’ and we spend more time meditating on the troubles rather than on the Lord.

When we choose worry and fear, we choose to model to our sons and daughters a lack of trust in God.  We’re demonstrating that we are not sure He will do the best thing for us and for our sons and daughter.  We pray for what we need Him to do, yet balk at surrendering our will to His. We try to fix the situation ourselves.  We stay awake at night, working through the details in our minds and praying for what we want to see happen or the resolution we believe is the right one.  We wrestle with all of the feelings, but friends, feelings lie.  The heart is deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9) and to give in to the angst is to play into the hands of the enemy who wants us consumed with anything but Jesus.

Jesus told His disciples, “Let not your hearts be troubled.  You believe in God, believe also in Me” John 14:1. When we are troubled we need to stop and ask ourselves, “Do I believe in God?”.  If the answer is “Yes” then the next questions should be, “How am I demonstrating that belief?”. 

We need to work on taking every thought captive and making it into obedience to Jesus Christ.  You see, those worrisome thoughts and nagging fears are the arguments and pretensions that set themselves up against the knowledge of God.  They distract us from God and pull us from faith in His ability to solve our problems and from believing in His sovereignty over them…and isn’t that exactly what the enemy desires?  

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” 2 Corinthians 10:5

When those fears arise, when that anxiety begins to swell in our throat, when our stomach churns with worry, we must be intentional to take every thought captive rather than marinate in the worry. (I’m preaching to myself here, friends.  I struggle with this too!)

So, maybe we are determined to capture those thoughts…but then what? The next step is Philippians 4:8,

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

We have to be intentional to refocus our thoughts.  We have to choose to dwell on those things that will strengthen our faith in the Lord.  We need to focus on the promises of God and choose to obey what He commands us to do.

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7

“And when your faith is weak, pray as the father did who had a son possessed by a demon and asked Jesus to bring deliverance and healing, “I believe, help my unbelief.”  Mark 9:14-27

Jesus knows how much we love our sons and daughters.  We would give our life for them- He knows, because He gave His life for us, even when we were undeserving.  He has compassion on us, 

“As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;” Ps 103:13

But He also desires that we would grow in our wisdom and knowledge of Him and His Word so that we would not be easily tossed by hardship.

When you’re tempted to worry and fear, let not your heart be troubled.  Don’t give into the temptation to feed the fear.  Focus on the Truth of Scripture and of Who God is.  The more you dwell on the Father, the further the fear recedes from your thoughts and from your heart.  

Take time to meditate on these Scriptures:

Psalm 17:6 “I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer.” 

Proverbs 3:5 5 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;”

Psalm 27:1 “The Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life- of whom shall I be afraid?”

Psalm 31:24 Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord .

Psalm 33:20-22 “We wait in hope for the Lord ; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord , even as we put our hope in you.”

Psalms 55:22 Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.

Psalm 62:8 “Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”

These seven Scriptures can be your meditation throughout the week.  Write them down, keep them where you can be reminded.  Know that the Lord, alone, is your refuge.  He hears your prayers and He will answer…He WILL.  His timing isn’t akin to ours nor are His ways - they are so much higher and better.  Be careful that you are looking for Him to work, not looking for Him to follow what you determine is the best course of action.  Surrender yourself to Him, to His timeline and to His plan.

Take time to study God’s Word.   The more you dig into HIs Word, the more reassurance you will have in His Sovereignty.  You can rest in Him, knowing He will always do what is best.  Grow in your knowledge of Him, meditate on His words, rest in His character. 

There IS a remedy for a troubled heart…do you want it?  Or would you rather wrestle with your angst and insecurities.  Sometimes we become too comfortable with what we know, even though it’s painful and hard.  Get to know the God of the universe!  Rest in His power!  Hide in the shadow of His wings.  Nestle into His loving embrace.

“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,  so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you[f] to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:9-14

“Heavenly Father, I give you all of my uncertainties.  I release all of my worries to You.  I trust You.  My troubled heart is too focused on the cares of this world and I know that is not what You ask of me.  Take my heart and mold it into a heart that loves Jesus and craves time with Him.  Give me a hunger and thirst for righteousness, not a craving for drama and anxiety.  I pray that I would model what it means to trust and rest in You to my sons and daughters.  I pray for (name) that they, too, would learn to trust and rest in You, not in the daily troubles that surround them.  Lord, lift their eyes to focus on what is eternal.  Help them set their heart on things above (Col. 3) and set aside the weight and sin that weigh them down and, instead,  fix their eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of their faith (Heb. 12:1-2).  Lord, I pray for the prodigal who is running from You.  Lord, they are dragging the weight of this world along with them, their heart is troubled and their mind is filled with everything the enemy throws at them, yet they refuse to surrender to You.  Bring them to the end of their prodigal pathway.  Let them hit the dead end that shows them there is nothing for them apart from You.  I pray, Lord, that You would be a balm to their troubled heart.  Help them to see that You are their refuge and strength.  You hear their cries.  You will carry their cares and sustain them through anything they might face in this world and You will guarantee an eternity at Your side, where every sorrow is erased and every tear is wiped away.  Lord, work in (name)s heart and mind today.  Be the balm and remedy for their troubled heart.  May Jesus be praised in every moment, every change, every heart that cries out for Him.  In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.”

Pray without ceasing. Rest in His promises.

1. G5015 - tarassō - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g5015/niv/mgnt/0-1/

Where Do You Go for Refuge?

“I will say of the Lord , "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."“ Psalm 91:2

Recently we’ve had some crazy weather in the Midwest, so safety is on everyone’s mind when the forecast starts to look nasty.  When the weather turns bad, the news stations break in and the meteorologists begin a real-time explanation of what is happening.  When you hear them say, “Get to your safe place, now!”, you know it’s time to run.   

But before storm season even approaches, people are encouraged to be storm-ready, with supplies and a storm-safe space to which they can run for safety. The key is to be prepared, to know where to go, and to be ready.

Earlier this week was just such a time. I was in a deep sleep and was awakened to sirens wailing and my husband saying, “It’s time to go to the shelter!”.  The urgency was palpable.

Here’s the thing.  We knew exactly where to run.  We didn’t ask questions.  We didn’t stop to ponder if there was a better choice.  We grabbed the pets and made our way right to our storm shelter.  We stepped inside, closed and bolted the door, and then we waited, listening and praying. But we waited in confidence knowing that whatever happened outside, we were safe inside. We knew where to run.  We were confident of its strength and stability.

Proverbs 18:10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. 

As believers, we have the ultimate shelter that provides supernatural ability to survive the storm.  Do our sons and daughters seek the same safety and shelter in the storms of life?  To what refuge do our sons and daughters run?  Are they running to God or are they pausing to consider their options?

Far too often we fall prey to the schemes of this world.  The lies that tell us our security is in our financial stability, or our possessions, or our relationships. Those lies only serve to pull us away from the Lord and turn our eyes to temporary, insufficient things that will not protect or shelter us from spiritual attacks.  Sadly, too often God becomes our ‘backup plan’ if our other options don’t deliver. 

We resist embracing the One option that is fail proof every time.  Why is that?  Why do we resist trusting the Lord as if He has a spotty record of success?  Has He ever been unreliable?   Has He ever failed?   

God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" Hebrews 13:5b-6

God protected Daniel from the lions (Dan. 6), David from Goliath (1 Sam. 17), Noah from the flood (Gen. 7-8).  Scripture is filled with His supernatural, omnipotent deliverance that reaffirms His love for us and His extraordinary ability to overcome whatever we might face.  He is sovereign, there is none stronger or with more authority.  The earth is the Lord’s; He reigns supreme.  There is nothing under the sun that can harm us if God is our refuge and strength.  He is faithful.  We can trust Him.  

Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. Deuteronomy 7:9

Our hearts should be burdened if we see our sons and daughters running to hide themselves in a semblance of shelter that is not God. We should be speaking words of truth that point them to the Rock. We should model what it means to find our refuge in Him. If we sit idly by, we give passive agreement to their misdirection.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Psalm 46:1-3

Let’s pray for and direct our sons and daughters to the One who is their refuge and strength, and ever-present help in trouble. God needs to be our first and only option every time.  He is storm safe, refuge ready, and powerful enough to withstand anything the enemy can throw at us. He WILL keep us safe.  But we need to run to Him.  No wandering in the storm, wondering if there might be a better option.  We need to run straight into His sheltering arms and trust that He will protect and sustain us, no matter what comes our way.

For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. Psalm 27:5 

“Lord, forgive me for too often trusting in things I can see, things that I can arrange for myself, those resources that peddle false security to the gullible.  You are my refuge and strength, You alone.  I pray for (name) today.  Lord, speak into their heart.  Help them to hear You clearly and see that You, alone, are their refuge and strength.  Impress upon their heart a desire to run to You for shelter and protection.  I pray that You would give me discernment to model this well.  Lord, be my shelter- help me not to complain or seek solace from anyone or anything other than You.  You are my safe place.  When life gets hard, painful, and stretches me thin, be that voice that says “It’s time to run to the shelter!”  I pray that (name) would hear Your voice.  Give them refuge from all of the pressures and pains of this life, not that You would remove them, because I know hardship brings growth, maturity, and a deeper love for You.  But protect them, Lord.  Teach them in that quiet place under Your wings.  Show them Your love and care.  Set them on solid ground so that they can withstand the storm and find their rest in You.  I pray that as they find refuge in You, they would sing for joy because they love You and trust You.  Surround them with Your favor, Lord.  In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Prodigal Prayer

“Oh, Father, my heart is heavy for (name).  They are seeking shelter and refuge in every place but You.  Lord, they are in the storm and the enemy continues to deceive them.  I pray You would open their eyes to SEE You.  Make Yourself real to (name) today. I ask that they would run to You for refuge and would find protection and shelter in Your great name.  Draw them, Lord.  Let your Holy Spirit speak into their heart and mind so they can’t help but be drawn to the beauty of Your Presence and the protection of Your covering.  I pray that even today, You would draw them into a personal relationship with You.  Show them their need for a Savior. Bind the enemy so his lies cannot interfere.  Bring (name) to salvation today, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

Pray without ceasing

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield. Psalm 5:11-12