Praying for others

Matthew 18:19-20
Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.

“Will you pray for my aunt? She’s going in for surgery.”
“My son is being sent to Iraq. Can you put him and his unit in your prayers?”
“I could use some prayers, I’m not doing well.”

When I receive such requests for prayers from friends and family, I immediately agree to add my prayers to theirs. I believe by adding my voice I am strengthening their petitions. There are several passages in the Bible that tell us “where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” In Mark we are reminded to have faith in God and that “…whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” In Luke Jesus says “For nothing is impossible with God.”

Not all His answers will be what I want to hear, but I know with confidence that if “we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”

I enjoy praying for others; I feel closer to them and like I helping carry some of their burden. It brings me nearer to Jesus and increases my faith. I relish being in this loving group called Christians.

Letting Go

Psalm 55:22 (NKJV)
Cast your burden on the LORD,
And He shall sustain you;
He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.

I try every day to hand over my worries to God, yet I quickly grab them back. I pray for guidance; I say “Thy will be done.” Yet the problem doesn’t go away; it niggles at my mind. I become impatient; I want it solved quickly. It’s hard to give up control.

Maybe the solution is to develop selective amnesia. Learn to give it up and forget about it so God can do His work and not have me constantly pleading with Him to resolve it…now!

As Christians, we are told to give our concerns over to God; He will provide for us. We should “let go and let God.” By handing our concerns over to God, we show our trust in His promise. Why is it so hard to put all our trust in Him and live worry free?

Heavenly Father,
Help me to let go and trust in Your wisdom. Let me remember You have my best interests at heart. You know what I need and when I need it.
I pray in Jesus’ name,
Amen

God Bless You.

His Place

Two years ago I received a NKJV Bible for Christmas. I was elated. The words sounded poetic and fresh, with new meaning and insight. I wanted to read it from beginning to end.

On January first, I began to read; “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth…” I read every night for several months. One to two chapters a night, with a few minutes to reflect on the words, gave me a sense of peace and helped me easily fall asleep.

In September I moved. A television was set up in my bedroom; I began watching it until I was tired. As a result, my nightly ritual of reading my Bible fell by the wayside. Oh, I read a few weeks, but then the temptation of the T.V. called, and I listened. My time of reflection got shorter and shorter until it all but disappeared. Occasionally I’d feel guilty, shut off the T.V., and pick up my Bible; but that time was rare.

Last week, I finally finished reading. I felt good about it, but sad that it took me so long. It made me realize how easily the modern world can over power our spiritual lives.

How many times you stayed home from church to watch a football game or golf tournament? Or watched a television show until you were too tired to read your Bible? Do you turn less to God then you used to because of earthly desires?

Today we need Him more then ever. His Comfort is powerful; His love is all-encompassing; He is our Savior.

Join me in returning God to His proper place—the top priority in our lives. Too often, other things have come first; it is time to reactivate our faith.

God Bless You

Jesus is Still the Reason for the Season

Every once in awhile I get something in my email that I need to be cast out into the world.  My aunt wrote this and it is one of those items I need to share:

 

“Jesus still is the Reason For The Season and no one can diminish that whether they say Happy Holidays or Season’s Greetings or Merry Christmas. Only I can diminish it by allowing my focus to be on something other than Christ in my life.”

 

 

 

CHRISTMAS REMEMBERED

 

On a soft and lovely midnight, long ago,

Angels sang to watching shepherds down below,

Telling them the happy news of the Jesus birth,

Singing songs of Peace, Goodwill To Men on Earth.

Men of wisdom, traveling from lands afar,

Came to the manger following a star,

To worship at the Christ Child’s bed of hay,

The place wherein the Babe, our Savior, lay.

 

Many Christmases have come and gone since then,

And the years have worked their way and will with men.

As this season of great joy is drawing near, 

Let our better natures once again appear.

Let the Christmas spirit fill the air with song.

Cheery greetings let us once more pass along.

As we celebrate this time of joy and mirth,

Let us share the Good News of our Savior’s birth.

***wgb***

 

Wanda G. Black

December 20, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unto You a Child is Born

Luke 2:11
For unto to you is born this day in the City of David a Savior which is Christ the Lord.

Christmas can be chaotic with many activities and errands. I hope that amid the cheery lights, colorful packages, and continuous parties you take a moment to remember the announcement given by the angel to the shepherds in the fields; “unto you is born…a Savior which is Christ the Lord.”  Spend some time praising and clelebrating this miraculous event.  

I wish you  a Merry Christmas filled with  peace, joy, and goodwill to others.

Until next time, God Bless You.

WRAPPED IN JESUS ARMS

Sometimes the words of other people express my feelings better then I can. The following poem, written by my aunt, hit a chord deep inside my heart.  I want to share it with you.  I hope you will also be touched.

WRAPPED IN JESUS ARMS

 Be wrapped in Jesus arms this week.

 Let all you find be what you seek.

 Let angels guard you where you walk

 And fill with love your every talk.

 Let not your heart with stress be filled

 Let every worried thought be stilled.

 Each day, remember by your side

 Jesus is there to guard and guide.

 God’s love and mine to you is sent.

So may, this week, you be content.

***wgb***
 ©

 

Until next time, God Bless You.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I live by Faith.

My title says it all.  At least it says how I hope I live my life.  My faith in God is a high priority.  In all I do, He is consulted.  And I do mean everything.  I believe that in order to live by faith you need to keep a running conversation going with Him.  The Bible says “to pray without ceasing…”  My conversations are a form of prayer.

I decided to write this blog so I can share the joy and peace I get from my living by faith. In reading my stories, I hope you will feel a little of what I feel.  My goal is that these posts will be an inspiration to you.  If my faith, and perhaps yours too, grows stronger, that would be a welcome bonus. It would also be great if we were to develop a new community in Christ and spread the Word.

Until next time, God Bless you.