Tag Archive | prayer

Rewards

Jul1

so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. — Matthew 6:4

pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. — Matthew 6:6b

so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. — Matthew 6:18

 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. — Matthew 6:19-21

Is your Christianity on display as to exalt yourself? Do you boast of your righteousness for all to see? Is humbleness a word used in describing you when others speak of you?

Is your “religion” all about you or all about God? If it’s all about you then enjoy because you have received your reward. If it’s all about God then your reward is being stored in heaven where it can’t be marred or decay.

Where are your treasures being stored? Is Jesus the very heart of your life and ministry? Do you direct focus to/on Him? A tough lesson to learn and keep. Keep your eyes on Jesus and seek His face continually. Your heart will be storing up eternal treasures.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Violence Is Deadly

Jun25

But they lie in wait for their own blood;
They ambush their own lives.
So are the ways of everyone who gains by violence;
It takes away the life of its possessors. — Proverbs 1:18-19

So much is said in these 2 little verses.

There is hope for the oppressed, those who are sought out by violent people, that judgement will come eventually to those who seek violence.

I would think that these verses would strike fear in the violent person for their own blood will spill requiring their very lives. They who live for violence will become victims of their own violence, paving a way to eternal destruction.

When I think about people who are living their lives to gain by violence, it saddens my heart. They miss the sweet fellowship and love of the Holy Father. They miss the companionship and guidance of the Holy Spirit and they miss the contentment and peace only found in our Holy Lord, Jesus Christ. All that on this side of eternity. WOW!

I am troubled that the one who lives by violence will experience turmoil for eternity not ever knowing personally the God who created them.

Does this at all motivate you to prayer and sharing God’s Word in your everyday speech? Only God can change a life but we can be the intercessor and mouthpiece for our Lord. Are you serving Him in this capacity?

I thank the Lord for His Word and speaking through it. To God be the glory!!!!

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Cease Striving (Be Still)

Jun11

“Cease striving and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” — Psalm 46:10

One of my favorite verses that I fall back on quite often. When my life seems overwhelming and I can’t keep up with all the demands this world throws at me, when the peace I experience with the fullness of Christ in me has fled — I’m reminded that I need to be still in God’s almighty presence, exalt Him and know He is in control of all things, including my life.

Being still in His presence, I pray a prayer that includes praise and thanksgiving which helps me to know my God is mighty and can handle whatever comes my way. Prayer for others reminds me that some have worse hurdles than mine to get over and prayer for myself helps me relinquish my life to the One who gave it to me.

There is NOTHING too big or too small that the God of this universe, who created you, can’t handle. Cease your striving and know that He is God. HE WILL BE EXALTED!!!!!!!

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Prayer, As Always

Jun8

Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously. —  Daniel 6:10

How faithful are you in personal prayer time? Oh, that we were a kingdom of people who prayed. How would things be different? How would you be different? Different enough that your prayer life would continue even if it meant “being cast into the lion’s den”? Do you have the strength to persevere? Prayer — faithful, continuous, earnest prayer — makes a difference in your life, the life of others, and the world. Are you making a difference?

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Effective Faith

May2

and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ’s sake. — Philemon 1:6

How is your walk of faith? Are you growing so as to be effective for the sake of Christ? Prayer is fellowship with God which is necessary to see things from God’s perspective, humble us, and to surrender our lives for His purpose.

Fellowship of faith is fellowship with other believers so as to encourage, be encouraged and to sharpen and be sharpened. Along with that is accountability.

Fellowship of faith is filling our mind and hearts with the Word of God. It teaches us His way and allows us to serve in a manner worthy of our Lord by the Holy Spirit’s guidance and bringing to remembrance what we have studied.

Again, how is your faith? “I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ’s sake”.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Love Through Prayer

Apr27

I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers, — Philemon 1:4

Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct you in the good and right way. — 1 Samuel 12:23

One meaningful way to obey “love your neighbor” is to pray for them. Who is on your prayer list?

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Problem With The World

Mar12

First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions  and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. — 1 Timothy 2:1-3

Yesterday’s devotional spoke of obeying, submitting authority to our leaders — politicians of our country. It told of the grumbling and verbal dissatisfaction we have with them. My question is (actually two) — Am I praying for my leaders? Am I being a good witness before men in my verbiage and actions toward the leaders of my country?

The problem with the world today is too much focus on what our world leaders are doing wrong instead of praying for them. The answer for a quiet and tranquil life? Jesus Christ. Salvation and knowledge of Him and in obedience He can change the condition of the hearts of world leaders, those in authority and even the hearts of those who vote.

The problem is not our politicians. The problem is we have left our first love and obedience to Him.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Bless, Not Curse

Mar5

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. — Romans 12:14

Bless (Eulogeo: Greek): to invoke blessing upon a person.

It’s right there, in black and white, in my Bible. Bless those who persecute? Really? I must have read that wrong. No, there it is. Bless and do not curse.

I thought, how can I bless someone who is mean, evil, wrong doing, harsh and many other such words? As I thought on these Words of God I saw a different picture.

If I dwell on persecutors I get angry and my mind wants revenge, for them to suffer as they have made others suffer and pretty soon I find myself enraged and bitter. What does that do to me? That’s my selfish view although justified as I need to dwell on Jesus and “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise”. (Philippians 4:8) Which way is most effective for the Kingdom of God?

My other thought is what better way can I bless someone than to pray for them. All day long I can hear, read, see persecution everywhere — news, T.V. in general, the internet, Facebook, conversations everywhere — but I wonder how many are praying for the persecuted and especially the persecutors. Just maybe if we started praying for them and our leaders — instead of mocking them, ridiculing them, pointing out all their faults — the earnest prayers of faithful believers just might see God move in miraculous ways in others and in us.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

 

Be Devoted

Mar4

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. — Romans 12:10-13

I don’t know about you but these words are pretty convicting. Reminds me of the verse, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”. I have sinned and fallen short but that gives me no excuse to give up, quit trying. I must devote, be diligent, fervent (passionate), serving, rejoicing, persevering, contributing and practicing everyday these Words of God.

They are all action words that demand I participate in my walk with Jesus. It begins with loving the Lord with my whole being, with all I’ve got. That enables me, by His love, to love others. By loving others I am motivated to serve them, pray for them, contribute to their well-being. In serving I honor others but also our Lord. In Him we find hope and persevere because of that hope.

So honor God today by practicing His Word. His Word is wisdom for life. May God bless your endeavors to serve Him.

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon

Conformity

Feb27

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. — Romans 12:2

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, — 1 Peter 1:14

so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. — 1 Peter 1:2

Conformity to the world or conformity to God?

The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. — 1 Peter 4:7-11

Continually seeking Him,

Sharon