Prayer is Vital

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App2 Comments

Do you know what that word “vital” means? It comes from the root word for life, and prayer is vital for our life with God. How do you have a relationship with someone that you never talk to? If the only time I talked to my husband were to give him a list of things I needed him to buy for me or do for me, that would be a very poor basis for a relationship indeed! Yet we don’t hesitate to wake up in the morning, read the Bible and then give God a “laundry list” of our expectations for Him. What if we took time to “be watchful,” to just observe what is going on in our small part of the world and then extend that watchfulness out to what is happening in your state, your nation the world. Instead of a laundry list of wants, I think watchfulness results in a prayer that speaks back to God from His heart’s desire for us and for others. Yes, the times are troubling, but God isn’t asleep. He is listening for His people to pray according to His will. He is working out His plan for the world and we can be a part of that plan by joining in prayer with God. We need to talk WITH God, not to Him. We need to be willing to listen as we watch and hear the heart of God for the hurting people of the world. We need to take time to be thankful for all God has done and is doing, knowing that somehow He is working things out for the good of all mankind. Prayer changes things, but only if we participate in an active prayer life, communicating with God as though He really cares. Because He does.

A Life of Prayer

Take a moment to think about the habit of prayer in your life. Is prayer a regular part of your life, or is it something you don’t really pay attention to?

As Paul is closing out his letter to the church in Colossae, one of the things he reminds them of is the importance of prayer. For Paul, prayer is more than just asking God for what he needs. Prayer is the way Paul’s energy and ministry is sustained. Prayer is a source of God’s power for Paul.

He asks the Colossians not only to engage in prayer, but to be devoted to it. Paul understood that if the mission of God was to be effective through them, they needed to be devoted to talking to God about every aspect of life.

This means they not only needed to spend time in prayer for a few minutes in the morning, but they needed to make prayer a part of their entire day.

Paul tells the church to be devoted to prayer, being watchful and thankful. These are two aspects of prayer that we can engage in as well.

The first is being watchful or discerning of what’s happening in your life. We can ask the Holy Spirit to help us discern what God is doing in and around us, to make us aware of His work. Second, we can use our time in prayer to worship God through thanksgiving and gratitude.

Prayer is a vital aspect of the Christian life. Spend some time not only praying to God, but thinking through how you can make prayer a central part of your spiritual life.

Our Perception of God

On By vickleaIn Scripture, YouVersion App2 Comments

www.bible.com/reading-plans/23192/day/17

In the quest for independence and a feeling that we are able to do everything we need to do without the Creator, many have turned away from God. I personally think that it’s hard to turn away if you are consistently acknowledging all that He has done and is still doing in your life. Thankfulness is a way to keep the door open to all of the possibilities that God has for you. I think it definitely changes your perception of God, from one of a destroyer out to hurt us to the One who loves us best. I have seen both within my family and it hurts to see those I love call on God when their need is desperate but the rest of the time treat Him as though He is of no consequence and perhaps even a bother in their lives.

I want to always be mindful of God’s acting on my behalf. For example, I got up this morning for the first time in almost a week and did not immediately start coughing. Am I completely well yet? No, but I am better, and for that I am thankful. I hated the idea of going to the ER today, getting an X-ray and perhaps being admitted to the hospital, but that is what the doctor said I would need to do today if I were not significantly better. I do not remember praying specifically that I wouldn’t have to go to the hospital, but I am sure God knew that was my desire. I will generally follow through with what the doctors advise but I am reluctant to stay overnight in hospitals. Anyway, I am so much better and so thankful that I am. I slept last night for my regular six hours, but I didn’t wake up repeatedly coughing. I am thankful for that, too! I pray that I have finally turned a corner and that I am indeed improving so that I don’t need to consult the ER. We shall see. But whatever happens, I am thankful that right now I am breathing better and I am very aware that God gives me each breath I take.

If thankfulness can affect our perception of God as the devotional states, shouldn’t we spend more time being thankful and less time making demands of our Father, like the spoiled and entitled children that we sometimes are?

God Provides All

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www.bible.com/reading-plans/23192/day/16

At our dinner hour each night, my husband or I pray, asking for God’s blessing on or food and thanking Him for His provision. This has become such a part of our routine, even we are out at restaurants, we take time to thank God. It seems to be a small thing, and maybe it is, but to me, it’s a big thing to put God first before we dig into a welcome and yummy looking meal. That food would not be there if God had not provided it. The prayer is a calming way to start what sometimes becomes a chaotic rush to eat and move on with the next thing in life. But for those few minutes, we are quiet, reflecting on God’s goodness and His grace to us in providing for our physical needs.

No news from our grandson. His exams are this week and at the end of the week, he is going to Texas for a gaming conference that he has really looked forward to. I am glad that he still gets to attend that and is feeling well enough to go. It’s only a few days, but he needs that freedom and the feeling that he is not totally out of control of his own life.

I am returning to the doctor today because I had to call about a prescription yesterday and the nurse didn’t like how my cough still sounds. So she wants me to come in and see the doctor and then get the prescription. I tried to tell her that I am asthmatic with double pneumonia, so I think my cough actually sounds normal. But I guess some people aren’t used to what has become reality to me. Anyway, God is in control of this visit and my health so off I go a little later this morning.

I would like to also ask for prayers for my older sister. She called me yesterday after her medical tests came back with some startling results. Her doctor thinks she is bleeding internally and is sending her to see a specialist to eliminate colon cancer and abdominal problems. Please pray for her peace; she doesn’t know the Lord, but she always calls me to pray when things go to pieces in her life.

When you sit down for your meal today, remember that God provided all that is in front of you, the food and the companionship, and be thankful.

Be The One

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www.bible.com/reading-plans/23192/day/15

For several years now, the school at which I used to teach has a sign on their marquee out that says, “Be the one.” What they are saying is to be the one to take a stand, make a difference, help others, etc. When I read this devotional this morning, I decided that the saying can also mean to be the one who shows gratitude. How often are we blessed and then just walk away feeling satisfied with our lives but we don’t take time to thank the One Who blessed us? I want to be the one who thanks God for everything, every time. I am not there yet, but I am working on it.

For example, this morning, in my state of grumpiness and being overtired from not sleeping well (pneumonia’s cough will do that to you), I saw my nebulizer charging on the table and sighed. Then, I stopped myself and said “thank you” to God that I have a nebulizer and the meds that go with it and the electricity to power it and a doctor who prescribed it. That means that I don’t have to head to the hospital every time I have difficulty breathing. That was a real thing in the 70’s and 80’s and I spent a lot of time in the ER having breathing treatments that I can now do at home. So, it’s a small thing to most people who don’t depend on that machine to help them breathe, but it’s a big thing for me.

I challenge you today to “be the one.” Be the one who notices what God is doing in your life, the small things, the big things, anything and everything and remember to thank Him for each one. I am particularly thankful for the breaths I take, the ones that God gave me when He created me. Others may take breathing for granted, but I know that each breath I take is a gift from God. What are you thankful for today?

Wh

Why Am I Talking? (WAIT)

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www.bible.com/reading-plans/45490/day/7

This devotional is all about being a peacemaker, in spite of circumstances of the effect this might have on you and your life. I don’t want to say that social media is evil, but it can be insidious, stirring up strife in all of the wrong places, including families. During the pandemic, my family was divided on the vaccinations just as many other families were. I had a legitimate medical reason not to get vaccinated repeatedly, and my children accepted it. We were invited to see the grandchildren and cautioned about having to wear masks in public. That was that.

Politics is a whole different ball game. I am a right wing Christian conservative. I will stand up for God’s word in spite of the whole political controversy that happens daily around this time. But I am not willing to lose my family relationships over it. I have two very liberal sons, but instead of arguing politics with them, I talk with them about the things we have in common: their children, books, movies, even games they enjoy. I have “unfollowed” them on social media so that I do not see all of their political sniping and get upset by it. I was just ignoring it and not responding, but that sent my BP soaring, so now if I want to see what they are posting, I go to their pages. If I want them to see my post, I tag them (and it’s never a political post). As the election draws closer, I am sure that my views will be more under scrutiny about how could I possibly vote for such a man and how does he represent my godly values. My answer is that I vote for the person who most represents my Biblical worldview regardless of their personal life. God used a lot of evil men to bring about His plan and will continue to do so because He is God and we are not. That being said, while my husband goes out of his way to debate online, I circle away from that interaction, preferring to keep my opinions to myself unless I am specifically asked a question. I think it is harder to be a peacemaker in this day of social media and vitriolic political attacks, but I am trying to maintain relationships which will last. Yes, I am definitely concerned about the direction our nation is taking and the future that will be there for our grandchildren. But breaking off relationships because they don’t like my candidate and I don’t like theirs does not make sense. I’m a Christian first, a wife second and a mom third. Somewhere way down the line of my priorities, I am a conservative who votes for the most conservative candidates running. But to maintain peace, I don’t feel that I have to let the entire world of social media know my thoughts.

Maybe I am being cowardly? I don’t know for sure. But I do know in my heart that God is sovereign and regardless of this election or any future one, God is in control. So, I will step back, let God be God and do my best to maintain relationships in which I can influence my children and grandchildren to make godly choices and decisions.

Creating a Well of Thank-FULL-Ness

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www.bible.com/reading-plans/23192/day/13

We can be like most people today and take God and His favor for granted, or we can choose to be like Daniel and establish the habit of being thankful. Then when tests and trials come, our natural inclination will be to continue to be thankful in spite of them, not because of them. I want a deep well of thank-full-ness that flows from within me to the Lord, knowing that no matter what is going on around me, He is still God and He deserves my thanks.

God Always Has the Last Word

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www.bible.com/reading-plans/45490/day/5

This is a devotional I am reading based on the new movie by Karen Kingsbury. The movie has been extended for another week (original started on April 2nd and supposed to run for only two weeks), so if you get a chance to go to the theater to see it, please go. My husband and I went opening week and it was awesome to see a Christian film in a secular theater. Anyway, now that I have encouraged you to see the movie, I also encourage you to take Karen Kingsbury’s advice to heart. Remember that no matter what is happening in your life, God has the last word. He had the last word with King Zedekiah who tried to burn the scroll with God’s message to him, thinking that would stop Babylon from overturning his kingdom. God’s Word doesn’t change and He always has the last word. Even as our grandson is going through cancer, we are encouraging him that God is with him through this trial. He doesn’t want to hear it now, but we are praying that our words will speak to his heart and God will bring them back to his mind when he really needs them and can hear them. Like Zedekiah burning the scroll, Isaac is discarding God’s words because he is angry and doesn’t want to go through this hard thing. But, God will have the last word in Isaac’s life (and yours and mine), so we may as well read His word and hear its lessons to us while we have the time to make life changes that could be eternal. God bless you and you hear from God today and every day. Just remember that you can’t hear from Him if you aren’t listening.

Thankfulness and Our Health

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www.bible.com/reading-plans/23192/day/12

Each of us at sometime will go through a valley. No, I am not a doomsayer or prophet. Bad things happen, even to good people. Life is hard but God is good and He will take us THROUGH the bad times if we will let Him. One of the ways we can lean into God during the hard times is to be thankful. I’m not saying to be thankful FOR the hard times, but to be thankful IN them. When the going gets tough, the tough turn to God. Last night, as I coughed and choked after having taken all of my meds and still couldn’t sleep, I prayed for relief. God’s Spirit gently spoke a psalm into my heart, the one that says that His love endures forever. I said to myself, “Although I am coughing and cannot sleep, God’s love for me endures forever.” And I drifted off to sleep even though I don’t recall doing it. I want God’s Word to become such a part of me that it is with me when I am getting ready to sleep and when I am fully alert and walking around in a lost world. I want to be fully aware of all that God has prepared for me as I step out so that I am thankful for all of it. I think that is the way to be spiritually healthy and in tune with God.

God’s Love and Joy

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www.bible.com/reading-plans/45776/day/7

We can look at the reality going on around us and get discouraged, or we can choose to see God moving in that reality and know that He is working His plan.

Today, I went to the doctor and was diagnosed with pneumonia for the second time in less than six months. I could get discouraged, but instead I am encouraged by the doctor’s meticulous care and the patience he showed as he waited for me to quit coughing to tell him what all was happening. He prescribed my regular steroids and an antibiotic, but he also gave me nausea meds since I haven’t been able to keep anything down for the last two days, not even water. With a stern admonition to go to the ER if the meds don’t start working quickly, he said he hopes I feel better soon.

Well, I’m not all the way better yet, but I was able to sip some electrolyte water (which he said I needed) and that is a great improvement. I also laughed at a message my son sent me. He and his wife took their three year old son to the zoo today on a preschool field trip. When Nathan saw the alligators, he turned to his dad and said, “I saw a dragon. I saw two BIG dragons”! So, it’s all about perspective and how you see reality.

God’s Purposes are Greater

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This is a particularly poignant message for me today because I am sick…again. I have bad allergies and this is allergy season, so no surprise when I started with the usual symptoms of drainage and a sore throat. Then, last night, I had to use my inhaler. This morning, I am getting ready to use my nebulizer. Thus is the progression of things when I start getting click. Others want me to just “Name it and claim it.” They think that if I confess that I am healed, the miracle will follow. Well, I am healed and I am being healed but it may not manifest itself here on earth. I believe that God gave me the breath of life to begin with and even when I am struggling to breathe, He is right there, giving me each breath that I take. Would I like to be completely well? Yes, but I am willing to wait for God’s timing because His plan is the perfect one. I am not doubting God’s power, love or ability. I am just taking life one breath at a time, knowing that God is working on my lungs so that one day they will be as whole as they are meant to be. I don’t know when that one day will come, but I know it’s coming!

Where Doubt Meets Belief

In Mark 9, we read the story of a father who loved his son. He loved his son so much that, when his son was possessed by a spirit, the father brought him to Jesus, believing that Jesus could heal him and drive out the spirit. ”If you can do anything,” the boy’s father said, “take pity on us and help him.”

The boy’s father believed Jesus could drive out this spirit. But he didn’t know it for sure. He brought him to Jesus, but he still doubted—after all, no one else had been able to heal his son.

Have you ever felt torn between that same belief and doubt? The boy’s father shares a struggle many of us have—the struggle to hold onto faith during life’s trials.

Yet Jesus doesn’t shame this father. Instead, He responds in faith: “‘If you can’? Everything is possible for one who believes.”

Jesus invites this father to a decisive choice. To trust either in Jesus’ authority, or to doubt.

In this story, Jesus did drive out the spirit through prayer, while his disciples could not (Mark 9:26-28). However, we must also realize that Jesus’ response does not promise us that faith guarantees our every desire will be realized. Faith isn’t a license for wish fulfillment. Instead, it challenges us to recognize God’s supreme power and ability to fulfill His will, His way (Mark 1:40–42). True faith always comes under the authority of God’s sovereignty.

Faith, in its truest form, trusts that God’s purposes are greater than our understanding.