God is just a prayer away!

Brothers and sisters we are not alone in anything because he is with us.  God is just a prayer away.  

God is always right here with us; caring for us; leading us; guiding us.  God hears every prayer, every one.  He hears us when we cry out to him for help.   So often, we get frustrated with God, even mad at him, when we pray and nothing seems to happen.  We think God isn’t listening or that our prayers have no power.  Brothers and sisters prayer is not about telling God what we want and waiting for him to give it to us.   Prayer is all about building a trusting and loving relationship with God.  It’s about humbly going before God in our brokenness; with our fears, our pain and our troubles.  Prayer is about depending on God in all things.   In prayer we ask him “what is your will in this for me Father”?  Prayer is about saying “thank you for loving me Jesus”.  In prayer we say “I will do whatever you ask LORD.  No matter how rocky my path, I will gladly walk it for your glory and to honor your name.”   Prayer is not about asking God to take away all the bad things in our life and replace them with worldly comforts or prosperity instead.  The Apostle Paul came to understand that the thorn in his side; the very thing that brought suffering to his life actually kept him close to God.   His suffering was a daily reminder that he needed God.  He needed his guidance.  He needed God’s provision. 

Psalm 16:2 “My soul says to the LORD, You are my God without you I have nothing.”

God promises us that if we ask we will receive but this doesn’t mean that we will receive whatever we want.  God says anything you ask for in prayer will be yours... “IF!” if it is in accordance with my will that I have revealed to you in scripture and “IF” what you pray for will glorify my name.  Psalm 120:1 assures us that if we take our troubles to the LORD in prayer; if we cry out to God, he will answer us.  The Apostle Paul prayed three times for God to remove the thing that made him suffer.  But God replied each time he prayed, “My grace is all you need for my strength is made perfect in your weakness.”  God says, my grace, my love, my strength, my protection, my guidance is enough for you.   When you feel weak and powerless it is my power that will uphold you.  Church of Christ when things are going well we tend to rely on our own wisdom and understanding in life.  We forget about God.  He is not on our daily to-do list.  He is on the bottom of our list of priorities and we may or may not get to him.  However, when in spite of our best efforts our lives unravel, when our situation feels hopeless, when it seems that darkness is going to swallow us up, it is then we see that we need God and we run to him. 

Scripture tells us that we need only one resource to address all the challenges and troubles and needs in life; that resource is GOD. 

Luke 12:31 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.

Dear one’s, we get so entangled in our material possessions; we get so caught in the ways of the world.  Too often we trust our own plans over God’s plan.  In Matthew 6 the LORD tells us not to worry about our life or our needs. He asks us why we have such little faith in him.  Dear saints, we should stretch out our hands to Our Most High God in prayer.  Yes, brothers and sisters humbly and sincerely cry out to the LORD in passionate prayer and plead his help.  Will all you troubles go away, maybe not?  Maybe you are in a battle for the LORD, maybe he has you in training for a battle to come maybe he is refining your faith?  I do know that you are right where he put you because God is always in control of all things.  I do know if you “go with God” that no matter how rocky the path you must travel your life will brighten.  You will be unafraid.  You will forget your misery. You will find peace in all circumstances. You will find hope and courage even in the middle of your trials.  Your life will be brighter than the noonday and dark times will be as bright as morning to you.

See saints, it is a great privilege that the Almighty God of the universe allows us to come before his throne of glory with our prayers and requests.  He not only hears every prayer and petition but he promises to answer them; not some of them, sometimes but every one of them, every time.  Every prayer receives an answer. 

The bible says that our prayers ascend to heaven like sweet incents to God. Our Father wants to be reconciled with his children and like any parent he loves when the kids visit with him.  The only way we can do that is with our prayers.   The LORD cares for us so much that he stoops down from his heavenly throne to talk to us as a devoted father talks to his children.    He wants a loving relationship with each one of us.  But like all relationships they don’t work if only one person is reaching out.  When we pray; when we reach back to the LORD we strengthen our bond with him.  When we pray we shouldn’t treat God like a “divine telemarketer” where we place our order for what we want and expect prompt delivery then disconnect until we need to place another order. 

James 4:3 tells us that when we ask and do not receive, it is because we ask with the wrong motives.  We try to fit our sacred God into a secular world.  But God’s ways are not the ways of the world.  God doesn’t value what the world values and neither should we.  Luke 12:21 tells us that a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”   

God will give many blessing and good things to his children.  In his goodness God provides his gift of faith.  God offers us salvation and the gift of his Holy Spirit.   Above all else brothers and sisters we should pray for spiritual gifts; for wisdom and understanding of God’s word.  No worldly treasure is greater than your heavenly crown of glory.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 tells us to “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.”

We must go to God in all things no matter how large or how small.    Pray at all times and don’t lose heart.  All occasions are appropriate occasions to pray.  All places are the right places to pray.  All kinds of prayers are good prayers when we pray with an open and loving heart. We must live our lives with an attitude; a spirit of thanksgiving for all God has done for us.  Paul told the Philippians “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”

We should not just pray for ourselves but for our brothers and sisters in Christ and for those who are lost in the darkness of sin, and yes; we should pray for our enemies.

Ephesians 6:18 tells us to “Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” 

Matthew 26:39 shows us an example of how Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane.  The LORD bowed down with his face to the ground and prayed “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet, your will be done, not mine."   See like Christ even in great sorrow and suffering we should submit to God’s will above our own will no matter the personal cost. Like Jesus we should be willing to sacrifice our own wellbeing for the high purpose of God.  We should pray, in all things “Your will be done Father,” in accordance with your laws and your commands and your plans; your will over mine Father for the well being of your precious creation.  Your will not mine Father in what you have judged to be good and right, because like LORD Jesus Father, even if I feel abandoned and afraid my trust and hope is with you and I know you are with me and you will work all things for my good and for my salvation.  

Yes dear ones, God is only a prayer away.  In our Prayers we should speak from our hearts to our heavenly Father, and, in return, God’s speaks to us through His Word and guides us with His Holy Spirit.  An important part of prayer is to remember to be quiet and listen, listen for God’s voice; for his answers.  God is far more pleased with the strength of our faith and the openness and sincerity of our hearts when we pray than He is with eloquent words.

Too often we believers go before the LORD with requests that sound like sales pitches trying to convince God to make our lives more comfortable and satisfying for us.  We show little concern for our spiritual needs; our souls.   We confuse human success; worldly prosperity with divine blessings.  We become more concerned with our temporary life here in this world than with our salvation and our eternal life in heaven.  We are so short sited.  We are such impulse buyers.  Paul says, in Philippians 4 that he learned how to be content with whatever he had.  He said he knew how to live on almost nothing or with everything.  He tells us that the he learned the secret of living in every situation whether with a full stomach or an empty one, with plenty or little and that is, in everything rely on Christ; trust the LORD to see you through. You aren’t strong enough to do it on your own.  God will be the source of your strength.  He gives you power over every affliction.  He gives you strength to carry your cross.  He gives you strength to fight every enemy of your soul. 

God is only a prayer away.  When your heart is troubled; pray.  When you feel hopeless; pray.  When you are in need of physical healing; pray.  When you are afraid; pray.  When you have plenty; pray.  When you have nothing; pray.  Pray; let God’s word nourish your soul. Pray and your faith will be steadfast.  Praise God and give him thanks in all things and your relationship with him will be rich and deep.   The bible tells us to pray without ceasing, so pray brothers and sisters, pray and never give up.

Children of God pray in all things.  Pray for your brothers and sisters.  Pray for your neighbors and pray for your enemies.   Lift up your hands and pray to the Lord.  Pray for wisdom and discernment so you will know God’s will for you in all things.  Pray and thank God for his goodness.  Praise him for his love, mercy and grace.  God promises us:  seek and you shall find, ask and you shall receive; knock and the door will be opened to you; call on me and I will answer. 

God is just a prayer away.

A Renewed Spirit and a New Start

Brothers and sisters I have been listening to the international news.  It seems  2013 is starting out with the same old chaos in the world. 

The world looks for a fresh start in the New Year but the people of the world seem to move ahead with hardened hearts.   We fall deeper and deeper into physical and spiritual oppression.  We choose to live in the ways of the world over Gods way of love and peace.   

We need to “Let Go and let God”.  You see, we have to stop trusting our own understanding; our own knowledge and assessments of life here on planet Earth and start putting our trust in God.  We have to lean on the Lord.  We have to let go of our own will and submit to God’s will.  This is hard because often we like our own opinions and beliefs of the world over God’s.  But if we want victory over this world, we have to let go of our way and do it God’s way. 

 So, how can we renew our lives?  How can we make a fresh start and have a better life in 2013? 

Well, let’s look at the lives of the apostles.  They were poor in the things of this world.  They were hated by the people around them, the very people they were trying to save.  But they had great joy even when they were persecuted because they based their happiness on Christ and on their salvation and not on their possessions or their circumstances.   They gave thanks in all things, no matter what their surroundings; whether they were with friends, strangers or enemies; whether they were at home or visiting or in a strange land.  They knew God works prosperity and adversity for our good.  They didn’t let the ways of the world rule over the ways of the spirit.  They trusted that God was working all things out in their favor. 

The Apostle Paul experienced great failure in his life by worldly standards.  He was attacked in most places he preached.  He was persecuted, shipwrecked, stoned and left for dead, deserted by trusted co-workers, slandered, and scorned.  In the end Paul was beheaded for his faithfulness in preaching about the kingdom of God and for his witness of Jesus Christ. 

The bible tells us that Paul never looked back at his past failures or pitied himself for his present hardships. Paul always kept his eye on his mission and his eternal future in Christ.  He boldly and fearlessly proclaimed the “Good News of Salvation” through Jesus Christ. Paul leaned on God's strength not his own to see him through all circumstances both good and bad.  He didn’t try to earn a crown of glory in both this world and the next.  He had one goal.  He put all his energy into one purpose that was claiming and proclaiming the gift of salvation.  See for Christians even bad news leads back to “the” good news. 

In this world you will have trouble.  There will be persecution, suffering and conflict.  God tells us not to be overwhelmed by your earthly trials and sorrows, they are temporary.  Be of good cheer because Christ overcame this world.  And in him you have peace and victory over this world as well.  

Brother and sisters on those days when you feel alone; when you feel it’s all too much or it’s all too hard or that you can’t see your way out or that you can’t take any more.  STOP! “Be Still”.  Know that Christ is the KING OF KINGS.  He is in complete control of everything.    Endure your trials patiently because in them you are reminded that you need the LORD and in them you glorify his name.  Don’t get distracted with the nonsense of life.  Keep your eyes fixed on our Good Shepherd.  He will lead you through the storms to his safe pasture.    Praise God for his goodness.  Thank God for your blessings and your trials.   Have hope in Christ.  God tells us he hears every prayer and answers them according to his will and in his time.  Stop rebelling and doing things your way.  Your Father knows what’s best for you. Let God lead you.  Isaiah 52:12 tells us that we are never alone because the Almighty God of Israel goes ahead of us and protects us from behind.   Children of God! Fearlessly go forward in life.  The LORD is our defender and protector.  He will NEVER abandon us or fail us. 

Dear ones, The LORD carries our burdens.  He carries us through life’s trials and temptations.  So, cast your cares upon him because he loves you deeply and he will sustain you.  He is our Rock, our Fortress.  He is our Helper, our Comforter, our Protector.     We can have no true victory over this world apart from him.  Trust in the LORD there is nothing, nothing, NOTHING that he can’t do.   

Brothers and sisters, our Fresh Start is going to take discipline and faithfulness and action on our part.  Our plans won’t always work out as we hoped.  But you see we are not the one’s making the decisions.  Our plans are not the ones that count.  We have to get out of God’s way; stop working against him and doing things our way.  Dear one’s work God’s plan of love; stand firmly on his Word, proclaim his message to the world, praise his Holy name then get ready, get ready because he will not just take you through, he will raise you up!   

Trust God.  Have hope in the LORD.  God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love Him.    (Matthew 16:26) “what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?”  Don’t push God away and try to do things on your own according to your plan.  One prosperity preacher tells us that “we can have our best life now”.  What kind of weak reward is that to look forward to?  The very best the world has to offer cannot compare to the glory waiting for you in heaven.  Stop settling for worldly crumbs when you have been promised a heavenly feast.  No matter what magnificent possessions we can acquire here in this world, no matter how far we rise up in the “worldly pecking order” it will leave us standing before the “Judgment Throne” wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 

Now, God directed me to a You Tube musical video of a Tyler Perry play called “What’s Done in the Dark.  The song was sung by the gospel singer, Tam-e-la Mann.  The song is called “Step Aside.”  It inspired this message to you.

Check it out!!  Song is always uplifting and good for the heart.

“Step Aside”.   http://youtu.be/ZXokSJYZHJI

The message God is sending us today for this new year; for 2013 is that we have to “stop getting in His way,” we have to “STEP ASIDE” we have to “let go and let God”.  

If in the New Year, in 2013 we are going to truly have a renewed spirit and have a new start then we have to stand on God’s word.  We can be saved in one moment but our salvation requires daily re-dedication or it will be lost.   

Our God is the God of new beginnings.  He is the God of fresh starts.  He is the God of starting over.  He is the God of turn-a-rounds, the God of second chances.  He is the God of restoration.  In Christ and through Christ we can be born again, made into a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!  We are resurrected with him and in him into a new body, into a new life with a new heart, a new mind and a  new spirit.                                              

Let God work it out for you.  Call on him in times of trouble.  Let our great potter re-make you into his image.  When all looks hopeless by the standards of the natural world, the God of hope is the source of joy and peace to all who trust him.  When everyone around you says you can’t God says you can; you will!  Jesus came for people like us, sinners.  Jesus died for people like us, rebels against God.  Jesus came to heal the sick and wounded.  Jesus sacrificed himself for the broken of this world, for those sheep wandering away in the darkness.  Jesus said, "Healthy people don't need a doctor--sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners."

Every morning when you rise from your bed, thank God for your fresh start.  You have been resurrected in the new day that God has made.  God has given you a “do-over”.  Rejoice and be glad in it.  He has given you one more chance to know him.   Stop evaluating yourself against a useless worldly point of view.  Instead, see the world from a heavenly perspective; see with your heavenly eyes.   Listen for the voice of God; hear with your heavenly ears.  Know his word so you won’t fall into error.  Call on the holy name of Jesus and he will answer you. 

Walking with Christ is going to take great resolution.  It requires great discipline and sacrifice and endurance and patience and love and great faithfulness on your part.  You must submit to God in all things and surrender to Satan in nothing. 

Don’t put our great big God in a tiny little box.  Our God is Almighty there is no obstacle that he can’t overcome.   Remember dear ones you belong to God. You have already won the victory over this world, because God’s Holy Spirit lives in you and he is greater than the spirit who lives in this world. So, have trust and hope in the Lord Jesus who cares for you, who loves you enough to step down from his throne of glory to suffer on your behalf, so you could be spared and reconciled to the Father.  God see’s you and you and you, and you….all of you!  He knew you before you were born.  He knit you together in your mother’s womb.  God has counted every hair on your head.  God knows His sheep; God knows you by name.  God has promised to wipe every tear from your eyes.  He promised.  And He is faithful. 

Brothers and sister, today I stand before you offering you a new way to a new life; a total transformation; a spiritual make-over; a way of guaranteed success; a way to never ending victory.  Don’t worry.  Don’t feel overwhelmed.  Don’t be afraid.  Don’t give up.  The troubles in your life are not a surprise or even a challenge to God.  In fact, he is overseeing them; ensuring that they are growing your faith.    Our struggles; our trials are being worked by God for our good; in our favor.  He is growing and strengthening our faith; refining us by fire so we can stand firm in our faith when the enemy attacks us.    The LORD is helping us become the holy people he wants us to be.  Remember, God is always in control of all things, at all times, in all ways.    The Lord never let’s go of your hand, not for a second.  Scripture says not a sparrow falls to the ground without our Father knowing it.  Nothing goes un-noticed by God.  He directs even the smallest details of life.    So, be encouraged.  Have confidence in God.  Keep standing firm in your faith.  Obey his commands and you will find peace in all the storms; in all circumstances that come to you in this life.  God gives strength to the weary and power to the weak.  Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean on his wisdom, love as God loves; put your hope in Christ alone.    We can be truly glad for there is wonderful joy ahead of us; our future is bright.   The LORD has promised to make everything new; a new heaven, and new earth and a new you.                                                         

We can look to the future with great joy and expectation.  God is more interested in where you are going than where you have been.    God is working in your life, not just on one day a year, but every day.  So the solution to you resolution is to….

Stop trying to fix your life.  Stop trying to do it your way. Stop trying to do God’s job. Step aside, get out of his way, “Let go and let God.”   

 “Don’t lose heart though our bodies are dying our spirits are being renewed every day”.   (2 Corinthians 4:16)

Blessed be the Name of the Lord.  Amen!