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Faith Muscle: Why Only YOUR Reps Will Grow Your Faith

By
Kim Brightness
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faith

Can I Borrow Your Faith Muscle?

faith muscleOh, if life were that easy.

Have you ever gone to the gym and felt the immediate need to gulp down a 32oz bottle of haterade?

Half-shirts and bra tops exposing beautiful, firm six-packs. Chiseled calves and quads that say ‘hello” with every step. Biceps and well-defined shoulders connect to backs who’ve never seen a day of back fat in their lives?

Wouldn’t the whole no-pain-no-gain thing go down much easier if you could simply borrow their muscles? No sweat, no effort – just exchange your fat and flab for sexy firmness.

Or, how about when life gets rough – wouldn’t it be easier to just lean on someone else’s faith?

“Hey, could you go pray, meditate, sacrifice, and do all the work for me, please? Let me know when my problems are solved, OK?”

When it comes to putting in work – humanity is generally lazy. I, too, have to fight complacency, laziness, thoughts of giving up or taking the easy way out just like the next teammate. Our adversary, the devil, would love nothing more than for our purpose to be swallowed up with “playtime” in our rejection of the discipline and commitment it takes to glorify God with our lives.

No matter how much we try to resist it, faith without works is dead (James 2:17) – and so is every gift, dream, and purpose God has for us, without faithful activity!

You’ve Got to Use Your Own

Here’s the truth. God has given ALL of us a portion of Faith (Romans 12:3). It’s just like on Oprah’s Favorite Things – “You get some faith, you get some faith, and you…”  Everybody gets a faith starter kit!

Faith is what keeps your dreams alive when hard times have you on life support – and hard times are guaranteed (John 16:33), Team. But in the belly of Faith lies Hope to keep going when all else around you logically says, “Give up, stop trying.”

But, here’s the kicker: No one can use YOUR Faith but YOU! God’s measure of faith to you, is YOUR gift. There will be some circumstances in life where NO-BO-DY can pray, pull, or drag you out; you’re gonna have to dig deep within the measure of Faith God has given you, get some dust on your own knees, let the tears mess up your make-up, and fight your own way out!

So, what you do with your measure of faith matters because faith has the power to grow. It’s a seed, a MUSCLE that, if you put it to work, will flourish and produce lasting results that you will appreciate more because YOU put in the work. You worked the muscle!

So, what’s the play call?

Stop depending on someone else’s faith muscle. We will never fortify our character by trying to capitalize on the prayers and hard work of others. The faith to produce results for your life lies within YOU!

Move past the fantasy of easy outs, gain-with-no-pain, and dodging your own work. Faith without work will always yield dead results. Trust that there’s a six-pack for your own faith just waiting to say, “I knew you could do it!”

17 Missionaries Kidnapped in Haiti

By
Christianity Today
-

A group of 17 missionaries including children was kidnapped by a gang in Haiti on Saturday, according to a voice message sent to various religious missions by an organization with direct knowledge of the incident.

The missionaries were on their way home from building an orphanage, according to a message from Ohio-based Christian Aid Ministries.

“This is a special prayer alert,” the one-minute message said. “Pray that the gang members would come to repentance.”

The message says the mission’s field director is working with the US Embassy, and that the field director’s family and one other unidentified man stayed at the ministry’s base while everyone else visited the orphanage.

No other details were immediately available.

A US government spokesperson said they were aware of the reports on the kidnapping.

“The welfare and safety of US citizens abroad is one of the highest priorities of the Department of State,” the spokesperson said, declining further comment.

Meanwhile, a senior US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the United States is in touch with Haitian authorities to try to resolve the case.

According to its member profile with the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, Christian Aid Ministries works mostly with Amish and Mennonite volunteers in relief efforts. A post on the Christian Aid Ministries site last week described its sponsor-a-child school program in Haiti, which it says supports 8,600 children.

Haiti is once again struggling with a spike in gang-related kidnappings that had diminished after President Jovenel Moïse was fatally shot at his private residence on July 7, and following a 7.2-magnitude earthquake that struck southwest Haiti …

Continue reading…

How to Move When Others Don’t Understand God’s Call on Your Life

By
Alecia M. White
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call on your life

I was out running errands one Saturday. City traffic was a little wonky, but to be expected, especially since I was near the mall and other shopping centers. Oh yes, and don’t forget to factor in construction on every major street and highway in the city.

Anyhoo, I was driving in the right lane, ready to turn at the next light, when I realized that everyone was making their way into the left lane. As I continued on, I noticed that an officer had someone pulled over. Of course, I needed to make my way over, so I put on my signal, in hopes that someone would slow down enough to give me space.

Well, I sat for a few seconds while at least four cars passed me by; they’re not so gracious about letting people in around here. The driver of the last car that passed me, looked me in my face with an irritated expression, as if I’d decided to cut him off for no reason. He didn’t see what I saw ahead, he had no idea that cars were trying to move over because an officer had the lane blocked. 

Others May Not Under the Call on Your Life… and That’s Okay.

god-given purposeThis is not my venting session, although that driver stepped on a nerve of mine. Nope, this is to let you know that not everyone can see what you see. They have no idea why you are moving the way you are or why you have to change lanes. And you know what? That’s okay! In fact, it’ll probably always be that way.

Often, we get frustrated because we want those around us to understand our call and our assignment, and most times, they won’t. There are times when people just have to see the manifestation of the vision to get it. There will also be times when folks will see it and still not support you or even try to understand. Yes, that’s still okay.

This realization made me a little less irritated with the driver that wouldn’t let me over (not much, though). I understand that he had no idea that I needed to get into his lane. See, there will be times when others feel threatened by your call because to them, it seems you are trying to “drive” in their lane. When you are focused on others and what they have going on, it can look a lot more like taking over your lane than you just going in the same direction. 

So, What’s the Play Call?

I saw a Facebook status one day that read, “It’s not everyone’s job to understand your calling. It wasn’t a conference call.” Listen, this is one of the truest things I’ve probably ever read. You must be okay with God leading you into places and spaces that others won’t understand or be willing to go with you. I know it can be tough when others aren’t willing to “let you over”, but just trust the direction that God is steering you. Here are a few things to remember when folks won’t let you in their lane:

  1. Let Jesus take the wheel. Go ahead and chuckle, but know that when the Lord is your official GPS, you will have no problem navigating in or out of any lanes. “In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:6
  2. Stop worrying about who will “let you over”. As I said before, not everyone will be thrilled about the call on your life or that you are changing lanes. But, if it’s where you need to be headed in this season, you can’t get caught up with their opinions or ignorance. “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” Philippians 4:6 (NLT)
  3. Trust God’s timing and go for it. If you’re anything like me, you will talk yourself out of things at any time. God’s timing is not based on how ready you feel. As the saying goes, sometimes you’ve got to “do it afraid.” “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.” Psalms 56:3
  4. Move when God is signaling you to move. You see, I could have just waited it out until the officer was done with his stop since nobody wanted to let me in their lane. Instead, I was persistent and kept my signal on. If God is leading you into a new lane, leave your signal on and get over. “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5

No matter what looks of irritation or reactions you get from others, be sure to operate in the lane that God is calling you to in this season. 

The Power of Thanksgiving Every Day

By
Keiston France
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team jesus

Thanksgiving Power

In Luke 17, out of the ten lepers healed by Jesus, only one man scrambled back to say thanks. I am sure that the other nine had an attitude of thanksgiving but never applied their gratitude. The power of saying thanks is a simple thing, but often hard to do. A friend of mine says that unexpressed gratitude can often be interpreted as being unthankful. Sometimes it can even be viewed as arrogance or ignorance!

Every day is Thanksgiving for a Christian.

Thanksgiving should be the theme song for followers of Christ. We should have thanksgiving flowing from our lips daily. The people we connect with should be soaked with thanks because we are overflowing with gratitude.

“And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.”
– Colossians 2:6-7 (NLT)

A Thanksgiving what-if?

thanksgivingThankfulness overflows if we have deep roots in Jesus Christ and if our lives are built on Him. Is it any wonder that thankfulness is in short supply? As followers of Christ, if we are over-filled with God, then we overflow with thanksgiving. Otherwise, we are just selfish and stingy like the world. Unfortunately, there isn’t a culture of thanksgiving in today’s ungrateful society.

I have to admit, I am great at thanking God for the people in my life during prayer time, but I’m not very good at putting that attitude of gratitude into action. I often fail to overflow with words of thanksgiving to others. My attitude is good, but my actions are lacking.

When we overflow with thanksgiving, it shows in everything: our speech, attitude, and actions. We are first thankful to God and then thankful for our family, job, church, friends, neighbors, and even our boss. We are even thankful for the tough times, because as Romans 5:3 states, “we also rejoice in our afflictions because we know afflictions produce endurance.” So, we must learn to do better at the following:

“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.”
– Proverbs 3:27

Pray in thanks, then say it!

Pray it, but make sure you say it! No more withholding blessing and thanksgiving from those who deserve it. What are you waiting for? Be sure you tell others how grateful you are for them. This is the power of thanksgiving in the action. Think about it.

So, What’s The Play Call?

  1. Are you thankful? Would others say you have a heart of thankfulness? Why or why not?
  2. List three people you are thankful for and why.
  3. What are the things that prevent you from expressing your thanks?
  4. Time to act: now go tell those three people that you are thankful for them.

 

5 Strategies to Stay on Track for a 4th Quarter Comeback

By
Kim Brightness
-
4th quarter comeback

“And that ends the 3rd quarter of…”

Your goal. Your vision. Those lofty dreams on your vision board from January. And, you’re getting nervous. Maybe even a tad winded.

We’ve all been there, even as followers of Christ.

You prepared well in the “off” season, ate (the Word of God) right, and passed every battery in practice for your starting position. You’ve dressed out (in the whole armor of God), your circle of cheerleaders has got your back, and the stadium is packed.

There are on-lookers ravaging popcorn – just waiting for you to lose. Then, there are others who are also frantically watching the scoreboard, praying for a miracle, because – you said that “God told me” this was the game for you.

In your mind, the last thing you want to do is make God look bad, embarrass yourself – all to the tune of costly time and effort.

Well, guess what. You don’t have time to worry about any of these “facts” because you walk by faith, and not sight!

Allow me to borrow your focus from the scoreboard (or calendar) and share the following 5 strategies to stay in the game to win it!

1. Keep Playing Until 00:00.

Many of us have no problem starting a thing.  Just look at how many projects, books, businesses, and ideas are buried in the graveyard of our fears and doubts.

Don’t bail on your game and grow weary of doing well (Galatians 6:9) – tired of striving, of running, of pressing. Every press towards the mark ends with a prize (Philippians 3:14)!

Goodness and mercy will not “follow” you to the locker room to quit. When there’s still time on the clock, stay the course and keep moving towards your goal.  The win is in the press to keep showing up – play call, after play call.

2. Don’t Switch It Up, Stick to God’s Game Plan

Typically, if we’re scoreless or feel we’re not winning by the 4th quarter, we begin to call our own plays.

Have you ever told yourself:  “For some reason, God’s plans aren’t working, so I’ll just help Him out.”

Listen, unless God tells you to shift, change, or modify the plays – you keep doing the same thing God told you to do. It matters not what others may call “insanity” – doing the same thing, expecting different results. Insanity to people may just be your God-given keys to great success.

The all-wise God knows best – follow His lead.

3. Keep Your Eyes on Your Ball, Not Someone Else’s Game

Team, we will fumble every time when our eyes are distracted from God and our ball, and focused on what others are doing, saying, or what others have. Flag on the play!

Did you know that God’s plans are tailor-made for you? God is not a plan recycler. There is no copy machine in God’s office! He carefully crafts every plan for our lives with great love and precision (Jeremiah 29:11).

You don’t have to be in awe of someone else’s life – live the winning life God created for you!

4. Focus on God, Not Time

Think about it. How can time run out of the hands of Who made time?

You are a child of the Most High God, who not only created the game, wrote the rules, but He’s also the scorekeeper!

When this really sinks into your spirit, you’ll find that it’s futile to worry about not having enough time left to win. Know that your win has actually already happened! You’re just catching up to the manifestation of the win. And, you’ll do so if you don’t quit.

5. Rely on God’s Definition of Winning

Sometimes, our definition of winning is counterintuitive to how God defines our win. Perhaps you’ve considered the prize to be that promotion, big contract, a best-selling XYZ – when God wanted you to win at the game of being a Finisher. Could your “win” be the muscles and stamina gained that you’ll need in your next season?

Always remember, God will never fail you (Deuteronomy 31:8). He is a loving God with your best interest at heart. Put His objective – the victory God wants you to win – in your heart. Then, failure will never be an option.

So, What’s the Play Call?

Your faith walk is a fight, so fight, Team!

In the game purposed for your life, get smart about not only the enemy’s tactics and schemes (2 Corinthians 2:11), but your own internal doubts, fears, negative self-talk – and shut them down!  Replace them with a scripture from the powerful Word of God. Try searching for a go-to scripture by topic here.

You’re on assignment, folks, and God’s not going to change His mind, nor give up on you.

So, don’t give up on God.

Because you ain’t seen nothing yet!

 

Pew: Government Persecution at Record High, Religious Terrorism at Record Low

By
Christianity Today
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persecution

Countries with religion-related terrorist activity at a record low of 49 after five consecutive years of decline. Yet 28 nations still suffered more than 50 people injured or killed.

Government restrictions on religion are at a global high.

Social hostility toward religion, however, is at its lowest level worldwide since ISIS.

So says data analyzed by the Pew Research Center in its 12th annual measurement of the extent to which 198 nations and territories—and their citizens—impinge on religious belief and practice.

The 2021 report draws primarily from more than a dozen UN, US, European, and civil society sources, and reflects pre-pandemic conditions from 2019, the latest year with available data.

Matching a peak from 2012, 57 nations (29%) record “very high” or “high” levels of government restrictions—an uptick of one nation from 2018. The global median on Pew’s 10-point scale held steady at 2.9, after a steady rise since the baseline of 1.8 in 2007, the report’s first year measured.

Regional differences are apparent: the Middle East and North Africa scored 6.0; Asia-Pacific scored 4.1; Europe scored 2.9; Sub-Saharan Africa scored 2.6; and the Americas scored 2.0

But across the globe, restrictions are present.

Most common, according to Pew, is “government harassment of religious groups.” More than 9 in 10 nations (180 total) tallied at least one incident. Also common is “government interference in worship.” More than 8 in 10 nations (163 total) recorded incidents.

And nearly half (48%) of all nations used force against religious groups. China, Myanmar (formerly known as Burma), Sudan, and Syria tallied over 10,000 incidents each.

For example, Pew noted: “Renewed fighting between the military and armed ethnic organizations in the [Myanmar] states of Kachin and northern Shan ‘deeply impacted’ Christians, according to …

Continue reading…

Churches May Be Liable for Boy Scouts’ Abuse Suits

By
Christianity Today
-
Boy Scouts of America

Amid the Boy Scouts of America’s complex bankruptcy case, there is worsening friction between the BSA and the major religious groups that help it run thousands of scout units. At issue: the churches’ fears that an eventual settlement—while protecting the BSA from future sex abuse lawsuits—could leave many churches unprotected.

The Boy Scouts sought bankruptcy protection in February 2020 in an effort to halt individual lawsuits and create a huge compensation fund for thousands of men who say they were molested as youngsters by scoutmasters or other leaders. At the time, the national organization estimated it might face 5,000 cases; it now faces 82,500.

In July, the BSA proposed an $850 million deal that would bar further lawsuits against it and its local councils. The deal did not cover the more than 40,000 organizations that have charters with the BSA to sponsor scout units, including many churches from major religious denominations that are now questioning their future involvement in scouting.

The United Methodist Church—which says up to 5,000 of its US congregations could be affected by future lawsuits—recently advised those churches not to extend their charters with the BSA beyond the end of this year. The UMC said these congregations were “disappointed and very concerned” that they weren’t included in the July deal.

Everett Cygal, a lawyer for Catholic churches monitoring the case, said it is unfair that parishes now face liability “solely as a result of misconduct by Boy Scout troop leaders who frequently had no connection to the parish.”

“Scouting can only be delivered with help of their chartered organizations,” Cygal told The Associated Press. …

Continue reading…

Put Your Power Where Your Weakness Is

By
Alecia M. White
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power

I was watching Sonic The Hedgehog with my six-year-old nephew, one of his faves. I was kinda paying attention, so I’d know the sitch if he brought it up. Anyhoo… this episode was about Sonic (y’all know he runs super fast) making this piercing sound every time he took off.

No one around him could figure out the problem and they couldn’t stand the noise so he had to walk. This became tumultuous for him and he got pretty down about it. Well, his arch-nemesis, Dr. Eggman, was nearby and offered a listening ear. He even gained Sonic’s trust and had a solution to the problem. Contrary to what his friends thought he should do, he decided to give it a go. I mean, nobody else could help, right?

Mmmkay (I know, stick with me), Sonic goes to Eggman dude’s lab and he gives him these special shoes that don’t make that horrible noise. Sonic is super excited and starts running all over the place. No sooner than he shows off his new shoes to his friends, Eggman shows up in this huge robot thing that has an untraceable power source. After a while, they all figure out that these new kicks are powering this evil robot each time Sonic takes off.

The gag is, he can’t take the shoes off. Again, they are in a place where nobody knows what to do. Eggman then says something that made me really pay attention, he said, “I took what was your strength and turned it into your biggest weakness.” Now ain’t that evil, whew!

Okay, here’s where it gets good, that statement must’ve fueled the fire because, at that moment, Sonic starts going around this robot, nonstop, at hyperspeed. At that point, it began to wear down, as it couldn’t handle the pace at which he was supplying the energy. The evil robot goes down, good guys win again.

Redeem Your Power

My point? It’s not too late to take your power back. I know there are times when we get ourselves into unfavorable situations and allow the grief of guilt to knock us down, but get back up! Many times, we are not defeated solely due to our mistakes, but because of our mindset after the mistakes are made. So often, we are tricked into holding onto things that God has already given us the freedom to let go of. Then, there are those times when you get in a bind and go the wrong direction for help. 

So, What’s the Play Call?

Don’t be duped into thinking that the other side of the fence is the side holding the solution. That is a mirage, a smokescreen, intended to trip you up. But I promise if you look to God, He can help you even when no one in your circle can. There is a hymn that simply says, “Take it To The Lord in Prayer”. Here are a few things to remember before you put the enemy’s shoes on your feet:

  1. Allow God to order your steps. Even when you begin to walk down the wrong path, God is able to put you back on course. Don’t be so ashamed that you continue going the wrong way instead of asking for directions. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: And he delighteth in his way.” Psalms 37:23
  2. You are forgiven. Sometimes, we neglect to change our ways because we have predetermined the magnitude of what we’ve done. We begin deciding our own fate instead of leaving it to God. Accept His forgiveness. “And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.” Luke 7:48 
  3. Move those feet. Yep, swiftly run away from where you previously allowed the enemy to ensnare you. God has anointed your feet to make the devil powerless. I recall, growing up, they’d always say “put the devil under your feet.” I get it now, and so do you. “And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts.” Malachi 4:3
  4. There is always a God way out. Sonic felt as if nobody could help him but the “other side”; remember that God is consistently there with an answer to your problem. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13

I know you hear the enemy saying: “I took what was your strength and turned it into your biggest weakness.”, but I challenge you to remember what our Playbook says in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” 

Ego Trip: 6 Ways Our Ego Can Lure Us Away From God’s Best

By
Keiston France
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ego trip

Society today does not encourage, celebrate, or teach real humility. Social media alone provides a variety of ways for us to boast about our accomplishments, share all we are doing and express everything we’re thinking. Not to say we can’t share good news or great ways in which God is working in our lives, but there’s a difference between giving God glory and giving glory to ourselves.

Considering the world’s obsession with self-glorification, let’s take a look at a few ways in which our ego trip -ing can keep us from God’s best.

6 Dangers Encountered on an Ego Trip

doers of the word

1. Egos push people away.

Think back to the last time you encountered someone who was full of themselves. You probably didn’t want to be in their presence for very long, right? In Proverbs 27:2 we are instructed to “let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.” Boasting about our accomplishments won’t draw others to Christ or to us. We need to be secure in our identity in Him and know we are valuable to God with or without our achievements. If anything needs to be said, others can say it.

2. Egos hurt people.

As Christians, we want people to be drawn to us so that we can share God’s love with them, but a giant ego will always get in the way.

Sometimes successful people think they are better than others and, as a result, they start to speak and act in ways that reflect that belief. They carry a judgmental attitude, use sarcastic comments and act selfishly, which damages their relationships and inflicts pain. Romans 12:3 (NIV) says, “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.” As Christians, we must remember that the gift we have been given is salvation, not perfection.

3. Egos discourage others.

When people only hear about our victories they may mistakenly think they lack what it takes to be successful because they aren’t you. But 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV) says, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

As Christians, we can share the struggles, limitations, and obstacles we’ve had to overcome and let it reassure others that they can overcome as well.

4. Egos make people unteachable.

There is nothing wrong with being knowledgeable about something, but when we think we know it all we refuse to listen to others. Proverbs 4:5-7 (NIV) says, “Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them…The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.”

As followers of Christ, we should be cautious about thinking that someone is unable to teach us because of social status, age, education, position, etc. There is always more to learn in life, and God can use anyone to teach us.

5. Egos want the spotlight.

Sometimes when we see people doing what we do or aspire to, we critique them. Matthew 5:16 (NIV) says, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” As Christians, we must recognize the light in others and encourage others to shine as God created them to.

6. Egos take the focus off of God.

People often believe they are in control of their wealth, jobs, relationships, goals, etc. 1 Corinthians 1:31 (NIV) states, “Therefore, as it is written: ‘Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.'” As Christians, we are to recognize and point others to the fact that God alone deserves the glory. Apart from Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5).

How to Return and Unpack from the Ego Trip

If you are battling an ego, be encouraged. This means you recognize how important humility is in your walk with the Lord. The more we work with the Holy Spirit, the more humility will become part of our character. We can make progress!

Prayer, meditation on God’s Word, speaking Scripture out loud and worship are effective keys to victory, and you can also release your faith by encouraging others, offering genuine compliments, expressing gratitude, recognizing God’s role in your success, and having a grateful attitude.

Do this and people will be drawn to you. Not because of your success but because of who you are in the midst of it. Think about it.

So, What’s The Play Call?

  1. How would you honestly say that you manage your acknowledgments of your achievements?
  2. In which areas of your life do you struggle with ego the most?
  3. What would it look like for you to make Christ the Lord over that area?
  4. Name three people you can thank and encourage today, and then do it!

 

Prayer Reserves: Praying Prayers You Need Before You Need Them

By
Alecia M. White
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prayer

The other day, I got up much earlier than usual and I felt the urge to pray. I pray when I get up in the mornings, but this day it felt different, you know? Anyhoo, I grabbed my blanket, got down on the floor, and went for it.

Once I picked myself up, I got back in bed and went back to sleep. My alarm went off a couple of hours later, so I was ready to begin my day. I got up and brushed my teeth, started my Keurig (got to have my coffee), then went to my room and picked up my Bible. I read a few chapters before I finished getting ready then headed to my home office for work. 

Now, I have been helping to fill in for one of the other departments for my job and I have been taking more calls than I am used to. This particular day, the phone rang nonstop, and seemingly, most of the people on the other line were angry and very rude. Well, it wasn’t my fault and I began to get irritated and upset, mainly because I was only trying to help them.

Although I was growing weary, I remained calm and gave them no reason to suspect that I wanted to be as rude to them as they were being. I took a moment and chose not to answer the next couple of calls, to evaluate my morning to see if I had missed anything. You know, those days when you wake up on the “wrong side of the bed” or “get off on the wrong foot”, or however the sayings go. I had to be sure that neither of those was my portion. I realized they were not, and those callers actually were sitting on my nerve. Yes, it’s okay to admit that people get on our nerves sometimes. God honors honesty. Lol. 

The Power of Reserve Prayers

prayer requestsOkay, this isn’t about my job or me having a rough day. This is actually about the fact that my day could have been much worse – had I not acknowledged the urge to pray.

You see, even though I was upset and frustrated, my time with God that morning was beneficial. My prayer time carried over and was able to calm my spirit so that I didn’t react the way I would have liked. Even on the days when you pray and read the Word, negativity can try to creep in. 

So, What’s the Play Call?

Yes, I was ready to be done for the day because I was tired of maintaining my professionalism, but obviously, that wasn’t going to fly. You will have days when you’re tested even though you’ve kept your end of the bargain by seeking God and calling on Him.

It is then that you will have the chance to see the Holy Ghost at work within you. Here are a few things to remember when your good morning begins to make a U-turn in the other direction:

  1. Don’t stop praying. I learned quickly (not just the other day) that morning prayer is just that, morning prayer. Yes, it gets you started, but continuous prayer (communication) with God is what gets you through the day. “Pray without ceasing.” ‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:17‬ ‭
  2. It’s okay to shut up. Yep, it sure is. In fact, had I not shut my mouth long enough to hear from God before speaking, I probably would have been in some trouble with my supervisor. “The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.” ‭‭Exodus‬ ‭14:14‬ ‭
  3. Patience is a process. Sometimes a grueling one, but a process indeed. “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James‬ ‭1:4‬ 
  4. Trust that you will reap the benefits. You see, if you seek God, you give Him room to help you. When He is your help, you don’t forfeit your blessings. I know I felt the urge to lose it over those phone calls, but I didn’t. And by the time each one ended, I could hear the change in the caller’s tone and attitude. I’m sure that will continue to carry over. “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6:9‬ ‭

The reality is that we have daily issues, and we have ways that we would like to deal with those issues. Our reality, though, is that if we would take the time to meet with God early, He will meet us when we need Him to step in later. 

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