A THOUGHT FOR THE DAY – THE “DINKY” LITTLE PRAYER

Sometimes it’s those insignificant seeming prayers we say that can carry a lot more power than we think.  For example “Lord thank you for protecting the house” as you pull out of your driveway, or “Lord protect my kids at school today”, as you drop them off. Sometimes I pray over an important letter that it will arrive on time, or a package undamaged.

We don’t really notice it until we forget to pray and begin to see a difference.  For instance, I always prayed over my luggage when I used to fly.  “Lord keep the plane safe, no accidents, and that You would put angels to keep my luggage from getting lost or stolen. Amen

Pretty regular prayer.  Except the day I forgot to pray about the luggage!  Not only did my bags not arrive at my destination.  It didn’t even make it to the right country!  It went to Mexico!  Whaaat??  I think God must have chuckled and I certainly got the point.  Those “little” prayers WERE being answered.

They may not be said in fanfare, passion, or hardly with any thought at all, but God is listening and things are happening in the unseen realm even when we don’t know it.  That’s where faith comes in and we continue to pray, trusting that it’s making a difference.

Now this is a silly one, but you ladies can relate.  I had purchased some nice bras for myself when I was living in an apartment and had to do laundry in the community laundry room.  I tossed my clothes in the washer and as I walked out, under my breath, and almost without a thought I said,  “Satan I bind you from stealing any of my new bras in Jesus name.”   They weren’t cheap so I guess that’s why I singled them out.  But when I came back to get my clothes, someone had stolen every single pair of underwear – except the bras.  I had to laugh.  That “in Jesus name” carries weight.  And there are some spiritual rules even the devil must obey.

So I guess my point is that there really is no “dinky” prayer.  Even a little prayer to us is being answered by a great and mighty God.  His ways are higher than ours right, and He instructs us to “ask (and keep on asking) and you shall receive.”   I truly believe that He loves to answer the smallest of prayers because He loves us so much and is happy we are including Him in the everyday things of life. We are not bothering Him like the enemy and our own reasoning tries to convince us of.  He loves us and that our thoughts turn towards Him. He delights in you and the relationship that continues to grow for a lifetime if we let it!

Much love and have a great day!

WHEN GOD BUSTS OUT IN THE MOST UNUSUAL PLACES

Sometimes you just never know when God is gonna just break out somewhere.  You’ve been there – when you suddenly feel God is in the place.  

Well I was sitting in a small room with about 10 other people at the cardiologist office waiting for a stress test. (to see if the ticker is working right)

Not something I looked forward to and besides that why in the world did they say it would take four hours. And what’s with the “nuclear” part of the test?

I was  uneasy in the way that you are when there are a lot of unknowns.  I noticed that most everyone was looking at their phones or magazine with only minimal conversation between people and the ones that came with them.   Then I asked a lady what the test was like.  She was older, but I could tell she brightened up at the opportunity to share some wisdom.  She walked me through it and a few others chimed in with their additions to the knowledge I was getting.  It was sweet!  

All of the sudden, everyone in the room started talking to others.  At times the whole room was participating in one group conversation.  A far cry from the isolationist feel it had when I walked in.  I could feel the Holy Spirit moving.  I love it when He shows up outside of church and does a suddenly.

One of the ladies began to share her heart about having had several heart attacks and possibly cancer.  The weight and burden on her face made me want to cry.  I knew that God wanted to lift her burden, especially her.  

So most of the room cleared out and I began to tell her of my near death experience as a teenager.  I saw heaven and was describing what I saw.  I could see a familiar peace come on her.  I knew that she already knew the Lord, but she leaned in towards me as if to soak up the words of truth.  A reminder of what she already knew in part.  I pulled out a Closer cd that I had made a decade ago and gave it to her and she was excited.  Her countenance changed and her mother began to talk about a revival she had been to in her past.  It was an easy conversation, and you could almost see how much lighter the room was as well as these “family” members in the body of Christ.  I got called out for the test and wish I could have prayed with her – but she got something better I think. She remembered to Whom she belonged.

I don’t know.  I just love when that happens.  I know prayer helps them happen – but sometimes God just busts out!!!  I can’t wait till the next time and I think I will ask for more!  How about you!?

A THOUGHT FOR THE DAY – Minimizing Frustration

So this morning I got up and life started very peacefully.  I finished listening to a teaching on youtube I had started the day before and planned to move into a quiet devotional time with the Lord.  

Then the hurricane (or Ed as I like to call him)  came in the room.  He had lost his wallet and was supposed to go fishing with a friend.  He had to cancel the trip which actually I was relishing the thought of a nice quiet house to get some things done and study , so I was bummed.  As we looked and looked with no luck finding the wallet – I began to worry.  I guess a better word is “fret”.  Thinking of all the things, like working tomorrow, that he would not be able to do.  Then remembering how my wallet got stolen last year my “fret” level rose again.  Canceling credit cards, getting a new license, waiting for a new debit card….  What a pain in the derrier!   So I started getting his stuff together he would need to get a new driver’s license today.  His birth certificate was not where it should be and my frustration was…..well ….let’s just say I’m sure my blood pressure went up.  Haha

So as my husband went out the door to attend to all this stuff, I felt a little bad and frustrated at myself for letting my emotions escalate like I did over something I should have trusted the Lord on and kept calm.  I returned to my “devotion” spot and picked up Streams in the Desert, looking for todays date for the reading.  I opened it and laughed out loud when I saw it and said, “Okay Lord, I get it!!”  The scripture for the day was simply:   “FRET NOT”  Psalm 37:1  In case I missed the gentle dealings of the Holy Spirit – here was the command.

Most of us do this if indeed you are human.  Some of us were raised around it and it has become the fabric of the background noise in our mind.  That’s hard to break, but recognizing it is half the battle.

What do we do?  You say?  The right question is “What does God tell us to do and how to handle it?”  First off – don’t feel condemned!  Jesus often told his disciples “fear not”.   So we are in good company.  God also tells us in  John 8:31-32:  “ To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Hold to His teaching and know the truth.  Those are both statements that require something.  The action of getting into His word and knowing it.  But the reward?  FREEDOM   Especially from the lies the devil implants in us to keep us from the goodness of God. 

So what do I do instead of “fret”?   Here are a few scriptures that are good to commit to memory.     

1 Peter 5:6-8

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,  casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

Humbly acknowledge that God is big enough to help you and cast your care on Him by praying and asking for that help.  Remember that one of the Holy Spirit’s name is “HELPER”  so I don’t think He minds and in light of the fact He is called that – I think He really wants to help us if we will just ask.

Philippians 4:6

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

So next time you (and I)  catch ourselves spinning around a problem – Remember that God doesn’t want us getting ulcers.  Give the problem to Him.  Invite Him in.  Let Him lift the load so you at least don’t feel alone!!!  Sure you may have to do some things to work through the issues.  But it doesn’t have to be with anxiety, fear and frustration.  Hey – I have not arrived – but God has put me on the right path – His ways.  Which I think are helpful to all of us.   Have a great day.  Shalom  (peace)