Tag: prayer

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Contentment, Happiness, and Joy

Joy and HappinessContentment, Happiness, and Joy: I discussed these three issues with a good friend. It is easy to get confused. Which one is the most important?

Contentment

I have held many things in my hands and have lost them all, but whatever I have placed in God’s hands, I still possess. – Martin Luther

1 Timothy 6:6-7, “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.”

Contentment is a state of being satisfied with what one has. It’s a feeling of peace and acceptance regarding one’s situation. It comes from a place of acceptance and is often associated with having a sense of sufficiency and being at ease with one’s life.

Contentment offers a steady and enduring sense of satisfaction and peace. It’s less dependent on external circumstances, which means it can provide a reliable foundation for well-being. Contentment makes you more likely to navigate life’s ups and downs with a balanced perspective. Contentment is about accepting and finding peace with what you have.

Hebrews 13:5, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'”

Happiness

Do not let your happiness depend on something you may lose… only (upon) the Beloved who will never pass away. – C.S. Lewis

Luke 12:15, “Then he said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.'”

Happiness is a broad term that generally refers to well-being and euphoria. It encompasses various emotions and experiences that make one feel good. It comes from external factors like achievements, relationships, or material possessions, as well as internal factors like personal attitudes and outlook on life.

External factors heavily influence happiness and might fluctuate based on circumstances, achievements, or experiences. While happiness can be exhilarating, it often relies on positive external factors or events that are not always within our control.

Joy

Joy is not necessarily the absence of suffering; it is the presence of God. – Sam Storms

Ecclesiastes 3:12, “I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live.”

Joy is a deep-rooted, inspired happiness that transcends circumstances. Unlike fleeting emotions tied to external events, biblical joy is a state of contentment, confidence, and hope rooted in a relationship with God. It is often associated with spiritual well-being and the presence of the Holy Spirit. Biblical joy is a profound and enduring state of happiness rooted in a relationship with God, characterized by trust, hope, and the assurance of His presence and promises.

Galatians 5:22, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.”

What is your Priority?

After a long debate and much consternation, I walked away thinking this: Joy is the essence of my existence, Contentment is a goal I have control over, and Happiness, well, I hope it visits me often. I can be joyful in any situation, even when I am discontent. The strength of that choice is God’s promise for my life. Contentment can be challenging because it typically requires physical, emotional, worldly, and spiritual living within my means. Sometimes, in a broken world, being content is problematic; it takes tenacity.

Happiness is a bluebird; in sales, we used to refer to a bluebird as a sale that dropped into your lap. That is a good metaphor. Happiness happens; it is spontaneous and serendipitous. We can build an environment that improves the likelihood of it visiting, but it takes external conditions for it to appear. Just as quickly as it comes, an event can chase it away.

Hebrews 11:6, “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”

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Cascading Decisions

Helping othersCascading decisions rule our lives. Millions of people make millions of everyday decisions in millions of places, causing a cascade that eventually affects us. The overseas workers can make the products we bring into our homes. Their decision every morning to work hard or blow it off can eventually affect us. People’s interactions with significant others, friends, family, or co-workers affect how they go about their lives and may encroach on our lives. Product developers in companies worldwide make decisions every day that eventually seep into our existence. People we never see, talk with, or know, make decisions that eventually cause difficulties.

Why is it important to understand this human dynamic? Every day, we face challenges created outside our sphere of influence. These challenges are ours; we own them. We are the ones that react in the wake of their existence. How we react is part of the millions making decisions that affect others. We see the immediate impact on those close to us, but we may not see the ripple effect across time.

The person we cut in front of in line at the grocery store who then speaks harshly to their mate, who then takes that out on an employee. The cycle goes on. A viral tsunami of vitriol emotions that spawns outward. Just as we are the recipients of cascading decisions made by others, so are others the recipients of ours.

Prayer

“True prayer is neither a mere mental exercise nor a vocal performance. It is far deeper than that – it is spiritual transaction with the Creator of Heaven and Earth.” – Charles Spurgeon

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Why did this come to mind? It came to mind because of its impact on answered prayer. Yes, God can and does create miracles. But I don’t think He is in the miracle business. Throughout the New Testament, Jesus constantly comments on an unbelieving world that requires signs and miracles to believe. He does not want us to rely on miracles as evidence of our faith. He wants our faith to reveal the evidence of His miracles.

1 John 5:15, “And if we know that He hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of Him.”

The example that comes to mind is the fig tree Jesus cursed as He arrived in Jerusalem. It did not wither and die immediately. The fig tree revealed the evidence of the curse the next day. Prayer works that way many times. Yes, I have had the experience of prayer being answered almost immediately, which is what I would describe as a miracle. But often, my prayers are answered in a very subtle way over time. Sometimes, if I am not looking, I miss them all together. It is later that I realize the impact of that single prayer.

1 John 5:14, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”

Cascading Decisions

Keep this in mind as you pray. We are not an island but part of an eight-billion-person ecosystem. Most problems we face are not simple transactions between two people but the cascading culmination of many decisions. The way God answers our prayers may affect more people than ourselves. This cascade of actions starts the moment we pray. We may not see the results of these actions for some time. It does not mean God does not go to work the moment you pray, but, like the fig tree, the results take time.

Psalm 145:18, “The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.”

Do not get discouraged when you feel that God did not hear you. Do not feel your faith is weak because the answer was not immediate. Be patient; let God work in the lives of all the people affected by His response. Many times, I miscalculated the complexity of my prayer only to see the impact on myself and maybe a few others. I don’t see the pattern of ripples as this one decision goes across time.

God Loves You

1 John 4:19, “We love because He first loved us.”

God loves you unconditionally, even when we do not reciprocate that love. God never changes. He is not affected by mere human frailties; He knows us better than we know ourselves. God knows what you are going through. What He wants from you is for you to glorify Him by coming to Him with whatever is on your mind. He wants you to invite Him into your world.

Hebrews 4:16, “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

The world is not too complex for Him. He created it along with the universe. God looks over every person, animal, plant, insect, molecule, and quark He created. To us, it is a giant and hostile planet constantly buffeted by the afterglow of Adam’s betrayal. To God, it is His loving creation that He carefully cares for even when we do not see it.

Romans 1:20, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.”

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Everyone has a Story.

Listen and SilentEveryone has a story—you have one, and everyone you meet has one. One of the most essential life skills is the ability to listen to those stories. In listening to these stories, we start to connect with other people. It is not their bias, preconceived ideas, or emotional state that brings us together—it is the stories of our lives. We can not earn the right to speak until we show compassion and listen.

“Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” — Stephen R. Covey, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People“

Everyone’s Story

I have traveled worldwide and met people of many diverse cultures. What I have learned is that we all share the same DNA when it comes to life stories. It starts in tragedy, then crescendos to the impossible, and ends with great overcoming. The crescendo’s amplitude varies based on the environment, but the storyline remains intact.

I have found that the root cause of much of the conflict we experience in life is a lack of understanding about our commonality. We focus too much on our differences and not enough on our similarities.

Hebrews 3:4, “For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything.”

Everyone has a personal story of overcoming challenges, and these stories are profoundly individual yet universally relatable. These stories showcase resilience, growth, and the human capacity to adapt and thrive in adversity. Listening to these stories can inspire us, foster empathy, and build connections by highlighting everyday experiences and struggles. Each story is a testament to the strength and determination inherent in the human spirit, reminding us that we can overcome even the most daunting obstacles.

“Listening is an art that requires attention over talent, spirit over ego, others over self.” — Dean Jackson.

EARNING THE RIGHT TO SPEAK

Mark 12:31, “The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

How do you earn the right to speak? Most of us enter a conversation assuming we have the right to speak our minds. While this is conventional wisdom, it should not be the default attitude. A better way to position yourselves is to earn this right to speak.

Be Attentive: Eliminate distractions and concentrate fully on the speaker. Maintain eye contact, nod occasionally, and adopt an open posture to show you are actively engaged in the conversation. You are not listening until it is your turn to talk; you are listening to understand their point of view.

Proverbs 18:13, “To answer before listening— that is folly and shame.”

 Avoid Interrupting: Let the speaker finish their thoughts without interjecting. Pause before replying to ensure the speaker has finished their point. Keep your emotions in check and avoid reacting impulsively. Allow the conversation to flow naturally without rushing. We almost always find something to respond to in the middle of their monologue. There is a natural inclination to stop the speaker while your thoughts are fresh. If you let them continue, you show respect, and you might learn something that changes your response.

 Show Empathy: Try to grasp the speaker’s emotions and perspectives. Acknowledge their feelings and experiences. This action shows that you understand and care. You can’t fake this. You care, or you don’t care. If you don’t care, why are you even having this conversation?

 Ask Questions: Ask open-ended questions to gain a deeper understanding. Questions should encourage the speaker to elaborate and share more details. The advice given to me is to convert every statement into a question. Instead of saying, “That won’t work.”, say, “How do you see that working?

 Avoid Judgments: Listen without forming immediate opinions or assumptions. Respect the speaker’s viewpoint, even if it differs from your own.

Benefits of Listening

Proverbs 1:5, “Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.”

When we become so wrapped up in our own story that we can not see or choose to disregard the story of others, we miss an incredible opportunity for grace. Rather than launching into a defense of our story, stop, take a deep breath, and listen to the story of the person in front of you. Here is what you might Learn:

Value of Empathy: Listening to someone’s story is a way to walk in their shoes, to see the world through their eyes. It fosters empathy and deepens your understanding of human experiences, creating meaningful connections. People do not create positions contrary to their experiences. There is a reason they think what they think. Discover it.

Personal Growth: Every story you hear can teach you something new. It can challenge your perspectives, broaden your horizons, and contribute to personal growth. We are all a product of our environment, and so are they. Try to understand the worldly forces molding their experience.

Proverbs 27:17, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”

The Power of Validation: When you listen to someone’s story, you validate their experiences. This acknowledgment can be incredibly powerful and healing for the storyteller, reminding them that their voice matters. Stories remind us of our shared humanity. In a world that can often feel divided, listening to others can bring us closer together and highlight the common threads that unite us all.

Inspiration: Consider when someone’s story has inspired you, changed your perspective, or motivated you. By listening to others, you allow yourself to experience these moments regularly. We all love overcoming that moment when the impossible becomes possible. We need to hear more of these.

This Week’s Final Thought

Listening to others’ stories isn’t just about them—it’s also about you. It’s a reciprocal act where the listener and the storyteller gain something valuable. A person’s emotional state is derived from their previous experiences. We sometimes misunderstand a current situation because we do not know its story. Ask them their story when you sense something greater is going on. This moment could be the moment when another great story begins.

Proverbs 27:19, “As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.”

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Watch One, Do One, Teach One

Do what is right

Watch one, Do One, Teach One. One of the things I have learned in life is that original ideas come about once every one hundred years. Almost every new and innovative idea is a remake of a previous idea. Ányos Jedlik invented the electric car in 1928. We take something other people have already thought of, add our spin, and call it new. The idea behind watch one, do one, teach one is not new. It is biblical in that Jesus used this process to mature His disciples.

“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” – Benjamin Franklin.

Watch One

Matthew 11:29, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Jesus was the consummate teacher. Reading, listening, and praying are the signs of a lifelong Christian learner. Jesus spent much time teaching the disciples the wisdom He wanted them to use when He sent them into the world. It was not learning for the sake of learning. He did not want them to be great Tanakh scholars; He wanted them equipped for the work ahead of them.

Do One

Matthew 10:5-8, “These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, and drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.”

Then Jesus asked them to do. He sent them out into the world to mimic what they had learned. They returned to Him to get instruction and advice. Jesus wanted them fully prepared to advance His Kingdom once He was gone.

Teach One

Matthew 28:18-20: “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'”

Then Jesus commanded them to teach others what they had learned. Jesus watched His teaching go viral through His disciples. The best and fastest way to expand your message is to engage others in spreading that message.

What About Us

“I hear, and I forget. I see, and I remember. I do, and I understand.” – Confucius

As of 2024, there are approximately 2.6 billion Christians worldwide. That is quite a multiplier; twelve have grown into 2.6 billion. I don’t think I am going to have that impact. But I believe I will have an impact if I follow Jesus’ formula. It doesn’t make a difference what plan God has for your life; this formula applies. Wherever your passion, gifting, resources, or experience leads you, be a constant learner, do what you have learned, and then teach others.

James 1:22, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

The idea behind Watch One, Do One, Teach One is pragmatic. Requiring the learner to do before they are allowed to teach means that the learner must have experienced life lessons from the learning before passing the knowledge to others. Do not skip over this phase. Doing infuses credibility into the audience when teaching. The teaching goes from theoretical to real life. Many spend their lives learning and trying to pass it on as teaching when we have never lived it. That is the definition of a hypocrite. To have an impact, you must live what you teach.

Romans 2:20-24, “An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”

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I Never Heard Anyone Regret Prayer.

I’ve never heard anyone regret praying. I certainly haven’t. While some may be hesitant to pray or feel like some people are still waiting for answers, no one ever regrets turning to prayer.

Prayer can be challenging. We ask for what we want, yet acknowledge that God acts within His will. When asked, “Does God answer prayer?” the typical response is that He does so with a yes, no, or not now. This response, while accurate, can feel unsatisfying.

James 4:3 says, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.” Understanding this, we realize that while we may not always get what we want when we want it, God’s blessings still come. I’ve prayed for the same person’s salvation for thirty years without seeing it happen. Does this mean they never will? Not necessarily. Free will play a role. Do I regret those prayers? Never.

When Does God Hear Our Prayers?

How attuned is God to us when we pray? How quickly does He hear us?

Isaiah 65:24 assures us, “It will also come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear.”

God, who created everything effortlessly, knows the plan He has for each of us. He is aware of every detail of our lives. The balance between God’s predestination and our free will is a mystery we must accept.

Colossians 1:16 reminds us, “For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.”

God knows our hearts and our prayers before we speak them. We pray because God yearns to hear our voices. He longs for us to come to Him willingly, rejoicing when we acknowledge our need for Him. By turning to Him in prayer, we honor Him.

1 John 5:14 states, “This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”

When Does God Answer Our Prayers?

If God knows our prayers before we speak, when does He answer? He begins to act immediately. The complexity of answered prayer is beyond our comprehension, considering the ripple effects across billions of lives.

E. M. Bounds said, “I think Christians fail so often to get answers to their prayers because they do not wait long enough on God.”

In Daniel Chapter 10, an angel sent to answer Daniel’s prayer was delayed by evil forces and needed the Archangel Michael’s help. Satan opposes answered prayer, but God always prevails.

Revelation 20:10 assures us, “And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”

God works on our behalf even in our frustration, disillusionment, or shortage of faith. We might not always see it, but He is there. The answers we receive may not always align with our desires, as our perspective on eternity is limited. However, no one ever regrets praying. Being in the presence of God and sharing our frustrations has intrinsic value. God loves us, understands our struggles, and longs to hear our voices.

Ephesians 6:18 encourages us, “With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.”

The Unending Value of Prayer

No one ever regrets prayer. Praying and reaching out to God is a profound expression of faith and trust. In prayer, we find comfort, strength, and the assurance that God is always listening and working for our good.

There is a companion post about “Pray Without Ceasing.”

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Pray Without Ceasing

Pray without ceasing. I must confess I do not understand prayer. I know God answers prayer because I have seen it repeatedly. But I see the macro-level outcome, not the micro-level decision-making. Here is my analogy of experiencing prayer. I am watching this great painter paint a masterpiece, marveling at the use of color and space. I see this image slowly appear. In the end, I see what the painter had in mind. But I never see what the painter thinks as they move the brush around the canvas. I do not see their intent or motivation. Is the image they had the same as the image I see?

1 Thessalonians 5:17. "Pray without ceasing."

That is what prayer looks like to me. I can look at my past and see God moving in my life. I see outcomes I could not predict or imagine come to fruition. But what I do not see in the actual act of answered prayer. I know God is working in my life, but to what end? Again, at a macro level, this all makes sense. God created me to glorify Him. That is the macro-level view. And maybe that is all I am to care about.

The greatest tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer but unoffered prayer. – F.B. Meyer, British pastor, author, and evangelist

MICRO-LEVEL PRAYER

But at the micro-level, what are the mechanisms that drive the outcome? This conundrum boils down to predestination and free will. It is that weird and complex interaction between God knowing everything before it happens and me getting a chance to change my future by deciding. This contradiction is baffling at best and downright irritating at its worst. I must admit that part of this is the control aspect of my personality. I have no problem giving up control if I know what the controlling entity plans to do, I do not even have to agree with what they plan to do if I can anticipate the outcome. God’s not like that. God understands our limitations. He knows that we can not foresee the eternal impact of His decisions. I guess He doesn’t want to get involved with endless answers of “why?”

Romans 12:12, "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer."

PRAYER WORKS

So, prayer works. I can tell you hundreds, if not thousands, of answered prayers, all in hindsight. I can walk you through my life from early childhood, pointing out the mile markers God placed there. He did this long before I had a relationship with Him. God created me with a purpose. Somehow, I must live up to that purpose, but He already knows my decision. Sorry, I’m getting a headache.

If prayer works, even without my understanding, what does that mean? Pray without ceasing. First, prayer changes me. It allows me to go over issues with God and receive His wisdom. Sometimes, that wisdom is peace with the outcome before I know it. Sometimes, I know He listens and cares deeply about what I am going through. He empathizes with my situation and that I can not see its impact on eternity. I leave prayer at peace.

Jeremiah 33:3, "Call to me and I will answer you and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known."

Second, I must pray. I know of people and situations I cannot keep to myself. I know God already knows and has a plan, but I cannot keep quiet. My soul needs to vent and cry out. It isn’t about getting what I want or changing God’s mind; it is about compassion, love, and uncertainty. If I keep it bottled up, it will fester into a viral cancer, destroying who God made me. Prayer is the pressure value that allows me to move forward.

Philippians 4:6-7, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

Lastly, pray when you have no words. When life covers you like a dense fog, and you are left sightless, let your Spirit speak. God does not leave us on an island to fend for ourselves. He knows our weaknesses.

Romans 8:26, "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words."

PRAY WITHOUT CEASING

Brother Lawrence, a lay brother in a Carmelite monastery in Paris, wrote in his book “The Practice of the Presence of God” that we should cultivate a constant awareness of God’s presence in everyday life, creating continual conversation with God, making every moment an opportunity for communion with the Divine.

We see blessings in the rear-view mirror. Sometimes, we will not see them this side of heaven. God is wonderful and mysterious. He cares deeply about you and the issues in your life, even the tiny, mundane issues. God saw all of it as He formed you. God knows your idiosyncrasies; God created them. He knows your fears and phobias. God gave you a way around them. We find this out through prayer. 

Matthew 6:6, "But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."

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Swimming with Jesus

Ever wonder what it would be like to go swimming with Jesus? Are you holding on to the side of the pool for safety? Maybe you can swim with Jesus, but only in the shallow end of the pool. You know, where the water is shallow enough to touch the bottom when things get rough. How many of us venture into deep water with only Jesus to protect us?

1 John 5:14, "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us."

Intimacy with Jesus takes the same courage and practice as swimming when we were children. When we were children, we relied on our parents or a swimming instructor to guide us through learning to swim. In the beginning, we spent most of our time either hanging onto the side of the pool or wading into the shallow end, where we knew we were safe. Only after much encouragement and practice did we even think about going to the deep end. But, unfortunately, the pool’s deep end did not provide the safety we needed.

Prayer is like swimming; we tend to cling to the edge and not let go. We want to trust in Jesus enough to set our worries aside, but we aren’t that sure. In time we feel more comfortable trusting Him with some things, but we want the security of taking control if it is not going how we want. If we are to mature in our prayer life, we must be able to swim in deep water and turn everything over to the one who loves us unconditionally. We must learn to trust Him even when we do not see His plan.

Hanging on to the Edge

1 John 5:15, "And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him."

When we first started to learn about Christ, we probably did not understand the power of prayer. Prayer was more about asking for what we needed and then hanging on until it arrived. We felt we lacked faith if it didn’t arrive or God didn’t hear us. We certainly didn’t live as though we thought God would answer our prayers. It was more of a fallback position than looking for an answer.

Hebrews 4:16, "Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

We didn’t approach prayer confidently. Who were we to expect God to care? God is busy; surely,  other prayers are more important than mine. My need isn’t as great as other people’s needs. Satan doesn’t like us to pray. He will do what he can to get us to stop. If he can’t convince us that our need is too big for God to resolve, he will convince us our need is too small for God to care.

Psalm 18:6, "In my distress, I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple, he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears."

Wading In

James 1:6, " But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind."

As we grow closer to God, we become emboldened, asking what is on our hearts without restraint. The problem is that we still don’t fully trust God to answer our prayers how we want them answered. Somehow, we have come to believe in answered prayer, but not that God’s answer is the best. We want to stay in shallow water where we can stand on our own if the need arises.

Mark 11:24, "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."

The shallow end is where most Christians spend their lives—praying but doubting the power of prayer. Because of this, they never see God’s hand in their life. It is a spiral that leads them to become more skeptical of prayer’s power. They find themselves standing in shallow water, thinking they can swim.

Swimming with Jesus

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

For the advanced open water diver, the Marriott Gold Coast in Australia has a private saltwater lagoon with an artificial reef visitors could use to prepare for diving on the Great Barrier Reef. Open-water divers are the ultimate swimmers. They are diving fifty to a hundred feet under the water, miles from shore, with only their scuba gear to sustain them. They are literally emersed in the experience, totally dependent.

That is the experience God wants for us when we pray. He wants continuous communication with an expectation that He will meet our needs. God wants us to be totally dependent on Him. Not so that He can control our lives, but so He can show us the power of His grace and compassion. God has a great life planned for each of us. God wants us to experience what He created in us.

Ephesians 6:18, " And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people."

Be a deep-water diver of prayer, swimming far from shore, deep under the surface, and completely secure in what God has in store for you.

Philippians 4:6-7, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
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Why Do Godly People Doubt God?

Why Do Godly People Doubt God?

Why do Godly people doubt God and want to ask for explanations and signs? Because God calls smart people; intelligent, wise people with their point of view of the situation that God is trying to change. Doubts and questions are not wrong; the failure is in giving in to the doubts and getting defeated by our lack of divine intervention.

 John 7:17, “Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.”

Who are some Godly people in the Bible that doubted God and required explanations and signs before proceeding? Moses is the first to come to mind. Moses looked at the totality of his existence and asked why me? He had a terrible past; he sinned, killed, lied, ran away, betrayed his family’s confidence, and suffered stage fright. On top of that, he was 80 years old when God commissioned him. Any reasonable man would ask why me? Job, Joseph, and Gideon all had moments when they asked God, Are you sure about this? It is not unusual for Godly people to doubt God.

Corinthians 2:16, “For, “Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.”

Asking for confirmation is not only not sinful, but it is also prudent. How easily can we mistake the self-centered voice in our head for God? Because we want something to play out a certain way, we manufacture the dialog. God gives us resources that he expects us to use. The challenge is when we let those resources supersede guidance from God. We start to believe we know the answer when we don’t understand the question.

I look at four steps to overcome my doubt when God calls. They are prayer, scripture, counsel, and action.

OVERCOMING DOUBT WITH PRAYER

1 John 5:14-15, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.”

Everything starts with prayer. Prayer is the catalyst that ignites the power of the Holy Spirit within us. All great relationships have open communications; neither party holds back. Tell God exactly what you think, and He will respond. We can’t touch His knowledge, perspective, and power, so don’t expect to be right. Be honest concerning your doubts. You can not hide your inner thoughts, so why try?

Mark 11:24, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

OVERCOMING DOUBT WITH SCRIPTURE

2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.”

One of the things that always amazes me is that no matter what I am going through, the scriptures talk to me. I had a study Bible I used for many years where I read through the Bible in precisely the same order every year. Now my life didn’t roll out the same way every year, yet the passages I was reading that day met the needs of that day. The same verses can speak to us in many different ways depending on what God has to say at the time.

Cognitive or confirmation bias is when we consciously or subconsciously seek information that supports a previous position. Don’t use scripture to build your case. Don’t cherry-pick the passages or use them out of context to make yourself feel good about what you want. Let Him speak to you through His word if you doubt what God wants.

Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

OVERCOMING DOUBT WITH COUNSEL

John 16:13, “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.”

Hearing God speak through others is essential. It can happen in many ways, through a sermon Sunday morning or through a Christian podcast or online video. It can be through a discussion at Bible study or over coffee with a friend. Seeking Godly counsel when in doubt has many flavors. Remember that, as a friend reminds me, God will not ambush you. If you receive counsel that seems out of left field, it might be that it is. The spiritual counsel you receive should support or refute a previously held position. If it sends you in a new direction, go back to step one and start over.

OVERCOMING DOUBT WITH ACTION

James 1:22, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

You can’t steer a stationary ship; movement is required. God is patient and understanding. If we truly want His will to be done, even if we misunderstand, He will course correct us. Doing nothing accomplishes nothing. God requires movement. Once you have done your due diligence, even if you still have some doubts, do something. Give God a chance to intervene.

Why do Godly people doubt God? Because He made us highly intelligent creatures with a desire to excel. He loves that about us and understands that we lack many of the resources He has. It is natural to want Him to validate what we believe to be true.

1 Peter 2:15, “For this is the will of God that by doing good, you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.”

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Experiencing Answered Prayer

Mark 11:24, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

I love it when God validates prayer. First, let me say that this week has been a real downer for me. You don’t want to read the posts I created. They are all dark and gloomy. Bad things were happening all around me. They are not the type of things I want the world to read. So, I was stuck without something I thought God would want me to put out there. The answer is always prayer. I prayed for His word to flow through me. I got a twofer; Two-for-one. God answered my immediate prayer by reminding me of another prayer a year ago, almost to this very day.

John 5:14, “This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”

On August 24, 2021, I published a post entitled My Last Day in Toknok. It was a lament concerning three fabulous women I had met in Toknok, Kyrgyzstan. We had met for dinner in a small restaurant next to what I could only call the most Chucky-like amusement park I had ever seen. This place was scary during the daylight; at night, it took on a new level of spookiness. The conversations were about the challenges of being a single, young, college-educated Christian woman in a predominantly Muslim country. Finding a husband and a career seemed almost insurmountable; it was a fundamental math problem.

Psalm 66:19, “But certainly God has heard; He has given heed to the voice of my prayer.”

Here is the last paragraph of that post:

“The sadness is that when I come back, and I will, there can only be one sad ending or another. These young women will have chased God’s vision for their lives, and I may never see them again. Or they will not, and I will see a shell of the person they could have been. My selfish prayer is that God’s plan for them will be revealed in a way that brings us both joy.”

“My selfish prayer is that God’s plan for them will be revealed in a way that brings us both joy.” That was my prayer, selfish and self-centered. I wanted them to experience all the joy God had in store for them and simultaneously make me happy. At the time, it seemed improbable at best, impossible at its worst.

Luke 11:10, “For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened.”

Well, let’s see what God has to say about that. First, on June 3, 2022, I wrote a post entitled An Incredible Answer to Prayer. Maftuna, the first of the three young ladies, married a great Christian man named Ravil. Their wedding video is a joy to watch. But God is not done. Today I received word that Nadya, the second of the three, is now engaged to Timothy, a pastor’s son. The three of us met a few months ago in the same restaurant where Nadya announced her dating Timothy but also voiced her concern. A concern that all of us at the table immediately dismissed as over-thinking.

Jeremiah 33:3, “Call to me and I will answer you, and tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.”

That brings us to Nelly, the third and youngest of the three women. Best I know at this moment, Nelly is not engaged. But she has moved from Toknok to Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. In Bishkek, she is involved in a Christian outreach organization and is pursuing an opportunity to open/operate a Christian coffee house. God is not done with her yet, but He is establishing a path.

John 16:24, “Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.”

The last answered prayer? You are reading it. God warmed my heart by letting me know that He is still at work when all seems bleak and dismal. We may not see what He is doing, but we can be assured He is doing it.

Psalm 5:3, “In the morning, O Lord, You will hear my voice; In the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch.”

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Lift Your Arms

What does it take to lift your arms in praise? I was listening to the Vince Gills song “When Amy Prays.” Like most things I run across, I had to understand the genesis. I needed to know what brought him to write it. It is an incredible picture of faith. I found the interview with Amy Grant, where she discussed the song’s origin and her relationship with Vince. She had this mesmerizing way of concatenating several seemingly unrelated stories into a great answer. By the way, it is the second interview on the v-blog.

What she talked about was; what does it take to get you to raise your arms in awe and wonder at the glory of God? This was an ongoing theme in their marriage. Amy Grant stood in absolute awe of God’s love, compassion, and power, whereas Vince was more restrained.

Deuteronomy 32:40, “Indeed, I lift up My hand to heaven, and say, as I live forever.”

It got me thinking about my own life. One of the reasons I love the outdoors is that I can’t get over the intricate and complex nature of God’s design. The level of detail and beauty seen in almost everything natural is fantastic. From the grandest to the insignificant, every detail was crafted with elegance. Expand that concept to the vastness of the universe; no words can give it justice.

Hebrews 11:3, “By faith, we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.”

What does it take for you to raise your hands in glory to God? How big does a miracle have to be before you recognize it for what it is?  Do you see God in the family pet comforting your child? Do you see God’s face in a kind gesture from a stranger?

Jeremiah 33:3, “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.”

I was in Honduras this last week working on a B.A.M. project, and I lost my passport. Weird story of impatience and ignorance; basically, I threw my passport in the trash along with a used coffee cup. The story is a little longer and more complicated, involving interaction with security that didn’t speak English, hence why I had my passport out in the first place. I didn’t realize it until I got to my room. The real problem was that I was leaving back to the states in the morning. I resigned that God would solve the problem by helping me find my passport or use my additional time in Honduras for his glory. For the record, my request was to find the passport. I had no idea what I had done with it.

So, a gringo in the middle of the night is wandering around Honduras, back-tracing his steps, looking under every bush and rock for a little dark navy-blue booklet. Nothing, nada, zippo, no passport. Then I remember throwing away my old coffee cup in a random garbage container. It was both an act of desperation and the only option left. I went dumpster diving. I found it. Did I raise my arms in admiration and glory of what God can do; absolutely.

Psalm 141:2, “May my prayer be counted as incense before You; The lifting up of my hands as the evening offering.”

The passport issue wasn’t a big deal. Worst case, it was an inconvenience. Of course, the worst case became a little scarier once I decided to look for it. Did I see God’s hand in it? Do I believe that God is in on the grand and the insignificant? What does it take for me to raise my arms? Do I find awe in the God of the universe when the only universe I am dealing with is me?

Mark 11:24, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

Screwtape constantly tells Wormwood how to get his patient to rationalize blessings as natural outcomes. If you haven’t read “Screwtape Letters,” read it, if you have, reread it.  It is as contemporary today as it was when it was written. Screwtape wants Christians to find a plausible explanation for every blessing. He doesn’t want to see any arms raised. He doesn’t do this by denying the event but by acknowledging the event as nothing more than the natural and obvious outcome of previous decisions.

It is easy to fall into the worldly trap of rationalizing that which we do not fully understand. We look for easy answers. We try to find an explanation in the common. Maybe, we should expand our thinking and start raising our arms to heaven worshiping the God that makes all things happen. Nothing is too small for him. Nothing is too big for Him, but we know that, its the small part we don’t always get.

Look for a reason to lift your arms in celebration because of the goodness of God.

Ezekiel 17:24, “All the trees of the field will know that I am the Lord; I bring down the high tree, exalt the low tree, dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish. I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will perform it.”

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