The Power of Prayer

   I went on a missions trip to Florida with the Lancaster Bible College Women’s Soccer team. We were on our way to the Edgewood Children’s Ranch. Along the way, we had a lot of inconveniences. First we got caught in a lot of traffic and did not make it to the place we were staying in NC until 11pm. Next, our credit card got stuck in a gas station machine. That was not good because that was all the money we had for the trip. I asked the girls to pray that we got it out and they kind of gave me looks of unbelief. I prayed and the card was finally removed.

   When we finally got to Florida, we were going to spend some time at the beach. Then as we were on our way, it started to rain. We waited out the rain by shopping. I told the girls we should pray that the rain go away. Again, I got the strange looks, but they tried it. The rain eventually stopped. We didn’t stay at the beach long. So, we tried it again the next day and it rained again as we headed down to the beach again. This time the girls prayed on their own.

   On our last day in Florida, we were going to a professional soccer game. As we were headed to the game, it rained again. That created a rain delay that went on for an hour. As time went on, one of the girls asked the other girls to get in a circle. Then she prayed that the rain would go away.

   It seems crazy that we would pray for something as simple as rain to stop but we did. Sometimes our prayers get an answer of yes, other times the answer is no. But we need to be willing to ask for those things.

   Mark 11:24 says: “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Many times, we try to solve problems on our own before taking our concerns to God. There was no way we were going to get that credit card removed from the gas machine without a miracle or someone taking the machine apart. After prayer, the card was able to be pulled out. It may not seem like a big deal, but it was a reminder to me and the girls on the trip that prayer is powerful. We just need to be willing to pray, ask, and believe.

   So, how is your prayer life? When you have a problem, what is the first thing you do? How can you grow in your relationship with God and have more trust in him?

Discipline

How many of us like to be disciplined? Some of us dislike discipline so much that they cringed at reading that word. Discipline is done in different ways depending on who is giving the discipline. Is discipline important? Let's look at a person who chose not to discipline his sons and see what happens.

In 1 Samuel 2:12-36 we find the story of Eli and his sons. Eli was a priest of the Lord. He had two sons: Hophni and Phinehas. Both of his sons were also priests. Eli's sons made choices that were displeasing to God. They did not follow the proper way of the law in sacrificing and taking their part of the sacrifice (1 Sam.12-17). Eli knew this and he also knew that his sons were sleeping with the women who were at the entrance of the tent of meeting (v.22).

What should Eli do, knowing that his sons are sinning? He should discipline them. Does Eli discipline his sons? Eli went to his sons (v.23-25). He says the report he hears about them isn't good. He reminds them that no one can intercede for someone who sins against the Lord. That's all Eli does. Now, was it good for Eli to remind his sons about what they should and shouldn't be doing? Yes, should Eli have done more?

Eli's sons are probably adults in this situation. When children become adults they will make their own mistakes. That's okay, but this situation is a bit different. Eli isn't just a father in this situation. Eli is a priest who is an elder to his sons. Eli could have done something else to stop his sons from sinning. But, Eli doesn't do anything else. (We also find in verse 25 that God made it so Eli's sons wouldn't listen. We know no one can go against God. Yet, Eli still could have tried to discipline them)?

Because Eli chooses not to discipline his sons God gives his family consequences (v.27-36). The biggest consequence being both of his sons will die on the same day. This message is brought by a man of God. God had decreed this once. What God says will come about. Yet, God is a merciful God. If Eli and his sons would have repented and changed their ways what would have happened? We don't know because nothing changes. This isn't the last warning Eli gets. Samuel is given a message to give to Eli when God speaks to Samuel (1 Sam.3.11-18). This message is about Eli and his family. Eli is given plenty of warning and time to change his family's ways.

Eventually everything God said would happen  to Eli and his family did happen. I don't know about you, but I wouldn't want that to happen to me or my family. How can we keep that from happening? We can't really, because God's will will be done. However, we can do something to try to prevent it. We can bring up our family in God's ways. We can discipline children to make sure they know right from wrong. Eli's story shows us what happens when one does not discipline their children.

Now, when we discipline, we must remember the words of Ephesians 6:4 "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." We are not to provoke children to anger. Yes, children will be angry if you discipline them. But, we shouldn't discipline them in the wrong way. We shouldn't constantly be bashing on kids. If we do, they may turn away from God. When we discipline we should think about the proper consequence for the action. We should also talk with children about what they did that was wrong and why it was wrong. That will help them think about right from wrong next time.

So, are you disciplining your children? Do you provoke your children to anger? What and you do to teach others right from wrong today?

Image from here.

Never Leave Your Side

   I love my dog Jak Jak. He is a fun, energetic, loving chihuahua papillon. Whenever we come home, he is so excited. He runs up to us and wants a hug and kiss right away. Then, after we get settled, he stays in the room we are in. If we decide to go to a different room Jak Jak is sure to follow. There are times where he literally follows us right behind our feet. He doesn't typically leave our sides.

   Thus, when I am home, I typically don't feel alone. However, there are times when I'm out and about that I feel alone. I'm sure you have felt that way as well. In times like this I try to remember that Jesus is always with me. Isaiah 41:10 says, "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." 

   In times where we feel alone, we can go back to verses like this. God tells us he is with us. He never leaves us or forsakes us. We are never truly alone. Jesus sticks closer to us than Jak Jak sticks to his family. We just have to lean on him when we feel alone or in hard times.

   So, are you feeling alone today? What can you do to remember that Jesus is always with you?

 

Judgement

   You are not a judge. Even if you are a real judge in the justice system you are not The Judge. Can anyone tell me why people find it so interesting to randomly look at people and judge them? I mean, what does it do for you? In the long run, you will ruin your reputation with others, make your friends wonder if you do the same to them, and waste your own time. How does this help you? How does this help others?

   I am sick and tired of going to places and hearing people gossip about others. I understand that some people people-watch for fun. It’s one thing to look at someone and wonder what they are up to; it’s another thing to look at someone and judge them based off of their appearance.

   I get that we all have first impressions, that’s not what I am talking about here. I am talking about when I walk into a store and I hear a group of people saying things about me. They aren’t anything nice either, most of the time it is exploiting my body or my clothing. Then after I hear them do that I begin to think different things. I think about what I can do to change the things wrong with me (and yes, I know I’m not perfect). I think about what I can say to tell those kids off. Mostly, I think about how I just want to get out of there as soon as possible (When Insecurities Come Up Blog).

   Then, after I leave I start to hear voices in my head. They say things like, “why can’t you work out more?” “Why can’t you keep your hair under control?” “Why don’t you try to wear nicer clothes?” (The TickingTime Bomb Blog). That’s when I go back and forth with those voices. I say, “why does it matter what I wear?” “Why do I care what those kids think?” “This is just the Devil trying to get me to look down on myself. God loves me just the way I am.” You know, the typical I know the right answers but it’s hard thing (When You Know the Answers Blog).

   When I was younger this process to get to the point where I ended this roller coaster thinking took a long time, days even. Now, I am better at shutting this down. That’s not to say I shut it down by my own power, in fact I don’t do it on my own. God has given me God-Confidence. He loves me for who I am. He knows my thoughts, actions, insecurities, talents, etc. and loves me. I have known that for a long time but thinking about certain things and verses have helped me.

   1 John 3:1 says: “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” I am a child of God. He made me in his image, as he made you in his image. He cared enough about you and me to adopt us into his family. He knows we are quirky and sometimes annoying but he loves us. He loves you in spite of all your imperfections. He’s our great father who will help us through tough times we just have to choose to see that he is there helping us.

   Philippians 4:6 says: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” I used to have pretty bad anxiety so this verse is very near and dear to my heart. I would overthink so much that I couldn’t sleep and couldn’t eat. I didn’t want to mess up. I didn’t want to be thought of as strange or weird. I didn’t want to let anyone down. I kept thinking I wasn’t good enough. Then I realized that I am always good enough for God. But, there’s more to it than that. I have a relationship with him. I can talk with him about my worries and needs. He will be with me no matter what.

   Galatians 2:20 says: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Finally, I remember that God gave himself for me. If the worst thing in the world happens to me, God is there. He showed his love for me by dying in order to have a relationship with me. It doesn’t matter if someone says I stink because the creator of everything loves me.

   Now, one last thing before my rant is over: we need to watch what we say about others. If you wouldn’t say it to a person’s face you shouldn’t say it at all. Words can hurt. In the end being mean and judging someone will not get you very far (unless you are a judge on a show, but most of us won’t get there). Instead of using our words to tear others down, why can’t we build others up? We are called to show God’s love to others. I think we need to give others compliments instead of criticism. Criticism does have a place if it is constructive (Galatians 6:1-2). But, many times we focus too much on the negative and not enough on the positive (A Story About Stones Wallsand Bridges Blog).

   So, do you have a tendency to judge others too much? When you are judged will you remember God loves you and will walk through that hard time with you? What can you do to encourage someone today?

   Image from here.

Reflecting the Light

   It is quite amazing how God created everything. He made things that work so well that it boggles our minds when we find out how they work. On the fourth day of creation God made the sun, moon, and stars. He made the sun to light the day and the moon and stars to light the night. Now, the interesting thing about these items in the sky is how they get their light. The sun gives off light, just as all other stars do.
   But, the moon, does not give light through nuclear fusion like the sun and stars. How does the moon give light to the earth then? The moon is rock. What happens is the moon reflects the light of the sun. It's quite incredible if you think about it. God did not have to make anything that he made in the first place. He especially did not have to create the moon so that it would give us light at night. I mean, he already created light and darkness. Why do we need light at night when we should be resting?
   Perhaps God was blessing us with a reminder. 2 Corinthians 4:6 says, "For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." See, like the sun gives off light, The Son gives off light as well. Like the moon reflects the sun's light, we are to reflect The Son's light. We are blessed to have eternal life though Jesus' work on the cross. However, just because we have eternal life does not mean our work is complete. We are called to make disciples of all nations (Mat.28.16-20). We are called to reflect God's glory to others just as the moon reflects the sun's light.
   So, are you doing your best to reflect God's glory? How can you reflect God's glory today?
Image from here.