Prayer is a passion of mine. I have read many books on prayer, and sometimes I feel like they’re more about getting things from God than just getting God-abiding, dwelling, connecting with our Heavenly Father. There came a time when I finally just had to stop reading books on prayer and started looking at examples from The Bible.
Some of my favorites are Paul’s Chapter 1 prayers! He opens his epistles with thanksgiving and praise and prays for heavenly things, not material things. He asks that the people he’s writing to be filled with knowledge or spiritual gifts, increase in wisdom, grow in love, he thanks them for being partners in the gospel, and to be filled with fruit that pleases the LORD.
If you have time, just glance through the first few verses of Chapter 1 in all of the epistles. It has influenced and inspired me to pray differently, to pray for eternal things rather than material (although we are instructed to pray for these things too). Below are 2 of my favorites, I have started to regularly pray these scriptures for myself, family, friends, and the ladies in my life group.
“And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” (Philippians 1:9-11)
“And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.” (Colossians 1:9-10)
Learning how to pray different . . . Hoping my heart conforms to His, that I’d be able to “seek first His Kingdom” or pray for “His Kingdom to come, His will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven”.
Oh LORD . . . teach me to pray!
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Saturday, February 5, 2011
The Heart
February is here, the month of love! Hearts are everywhere. I was thinking about the issue of the “heart” according to the bible. Again, I’m in the process of unlearning everything the world has taught me about my “heart” (will and emotions) and my “mind” (knowledge and understanding) and trying to learn what God has to say about them.
You’ve heard it said “Trust YOUR heart . . . what is YOUR heart telling you to do . . . follow YOUR heart, etc”. But God’s Word would tell you . . .
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. (Proverbs 3:5-7)
“For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.” (Matthew 15:19)
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? "I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds." (Jeremiah 17:9-10)
Do you see a pattern here? The world tells us that our hearts are completely reliable, that’s what should trust the most-ourselves! God’s Word would tell us not to trust our hearts, they are deceitful!
Once we put our faith in Christ and begin to walk with Him, our life becomes a process of sanctification (to make holy, be set apart, consecrate). The rest of our lives is learning to rely on our SELF LESS and rely on HIM MORE.
God wants us dependent on Him, not independent trying to fix of thing on our own! That’s why Jesus says “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3). Those that are blessed are the ones who humbly bow their heart to the LORD and say “Lord, my way is not right. I want to live according to Your way, help me to understand the path that you have set out before me.”
We think of sin as doing “bad things”. But as you begin to read about what God has to say about sin, you see that sin is just trying to do life on your own, dependence on self, on your own heart, rather than on God. So whether you live your life morally pure or your life is a disaster, if God is not involved, it’s all sin.
God isn’t about our lives being “perfect”, that’s religion-walk the straight and narrow, try your best, don’t fail, and you’ll gain eternal life, etc. Our Heavenly Father cares much more about an honest pursuit and dependence upon Him than “perfection”.
He tells us over and over stop trying to do this on your own! Stop trying to understand life according to your own heart and understanding. Seek me and my ways, and I will make your paths straight.
Again, I am unlearning as much about God as I am learning. I desire to know what is “good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2) but I can’t know that unless I consult the Maker, His Word, and seek His plan for my life.
I am have been in the practice of going to the LORD and asking Him what He wants me “to learn” about this trial, experience, etc. I realize now, I also need to ask Him “LORD, what do you want me to unlearn? Can I encourage you to do the same? Remembering life is about trust not self-reliance; dependence, not independence; humility, not pride, process, not perfection.
“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Psalm 139:23-24)
“For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7)
You’ve heard it said “Trust YOUR heart . . . what is YOUR heart telling you to do . . . follow YOUR heart, etc”. But God’s Word would tell you . . .
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. (Proverbs 3:5-7)
“For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.” (Matthew 15:19)
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? "I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds." (Jeremiah 17:9-10)
Do you see a pattern here? The world tells us that our hearts are completely reliable, that’s what should trust the most-ourselves! God’s Word would tell us not to trust our hearts, they are deceitful!
Once we put our faith in Christ and begin to walk with Him, our life becomes a process of sanctification (to make holy, be set apart, consecrate). The rest of our lives is learning to rely on our SELF LESS and rely on HIM MORE.
God wants us dependent on Him, not independent trying to fix of thing on our own! That’s why Jesus says “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3). Those that are blessed are the ones who humbly bow their heart to the LORD and say “Lord, my way is not right. I want to live according to Your way, help me to understand the path that you have set out before me.”
We think of sin as doing “bad things”. But as you begin to read about what God has to say about sin, you see that sin is just trying to do life on your own, dependence on self, on your own heart, rather than on God. So whether you live your life morally pure or your life is a disaster, if God is not involved, it’s all sin.
God isn’t about our lives being “perfect”, that’s religion-walk the straight and narrow, try your best, don’t fail, and you’ll gain eternal life, etc. Our Heavenly Father cares much more about an honest pursuit and dependence upon Him than “perfection”.
He tells us over and over stop trying to do this on your own! Stop trying to understand life according to your own heart and understanding. Seek me and my ways, and I will make your paths straight.
Again, I am unlearning as much about God as I am learning. I desire to know what is “good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2) but I can’t know that unless I consult the Maker, His Word, and seek His plan for my life.
I am have been in the practice of going to the LORD and asking Him what He wants me “to learn” about this trial, experience, etc. I realize now, I also need to ask Him “LORD, what do you want me to unlearn? Can I encourage you to do the same? Remembering life is about trust not self-reliance; dependence, not independence; humility, not pride, process, not perfection.
“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Psalm 139:23-24)
“For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7)
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Creation
Yesterday, Santino and I went on a field trip with students from my school that are learning English as a second language-most speak Hmong or Spanish at home. We took them to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and then to the tide pools after. Many of these kids had never been to the ocean before, so we were excited to experience this with them!
We drove our own car, just minutes behind the bus. As we drove along the coast line just before arriving, Santino put on the song “All Creatures” by David Crowder Band. I looked out at the ocean, and turned to him and said “I hope to sing this song with these kids for all eternity”. In my heart I prayed for each child on that bus to see God’s creation, marvel, worship, and come to know the LORD.
We arrived, and the kids were SO excited! They were eager to see the sea animals, excited to learn.
We left the aquarium and we were off to the ocean, to the tide pools for the kids to experience the ocean and some marine life up close-touch it, smell it, and delight in it. They did! They were fascinated with slimy rocks, hermit crabs, starfish, and all these little creatures. I stood back for a minute and watched these kids running around smiling, laughing, running to their friends, and it just hit me . . . how much God wants all of us to delight in His creation.
I looked out on the horizon, the ocean seemed endless, there was a break in the sky, between ocean and clouds, and you could just see this rim of sunshine. Soon, you heard all of the kids yell-"look a rainbow!" (Just to the right of this picture-unfortunately you can't see it). We marveled at it together, stood in awe and wonder . . . a rainbow across the ocean sky. Glory!
In that moment, I realized God was looking down on all of this. Watching these children experience a part of His creation like never before-in community, with others to share their joy! This is exactly what God want us to be like. Worshipping, marveling, delighting in Him and His creation with others, excited to be in His presence.
We will study “Creation” this next week in Academy. We will hear about many worldviews on creation-from Darwin to philosophers, and I’m so thankful to have this experience beforehand. I am reminded in God’s word that what we experienced yesterday was not “Mother Nature” but “God, The Creator”.
“And God said, ‘Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear. ’And it was so. God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good.” (Genesis 1:9-10)
“All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.” (John 1:3)
“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” (Psalm 19:1)
“For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made . . .” (Romans 1:19-20)
“Thus says God, the LORD, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it” (Isaiah 42:5)
What a joy to not only know there is a Creator, but to know Him as my Redeemer, Savior, and Lord as well.
P.S. Here is a link to the song "All Creatures" by David Crowder Band. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cObXwn-EgGY&feature=related
We drove our own car, just minutes behind the bus. As we drove along the coast line just before arriving, Santino put on the song “All Creatures” by David Crowder Band. I looked out at the ocean, and turned to him and said “I hope to sing this song with these kids for all eternity”. In my heart I prayed for each child on that bus to see God’s creation, marvel, worship, and come to know the LORD.
We arrived, and the kids were SO excited! They were eager to see the sea animals, excited to learn.
We left the aquarium and we were off to the ocean, to the tide pools for the kids to experience the ocean and some marine life up close-touch it, smell it, and delight in it. They did! They were fascinated with slimy rocks, hermit crabs, starfish, and all these little creatures. I stood back for a minute and watched these kids running around smiling, laughing, running to their friends, and it just hit me . . . how much God wants all of us to delight in His creation.
I looked out on the horizon, the ocean seemed endless, there was a break in the sky, between ocean and clouds, and you could just see this rim of sunshine. Soon, you heard all of the kids yell-"look a rainbow!" (Just to the right of this picture-unfortunately you can't see it). We marveled at it together, stood in awe and wonder . . . a rainbow across the ocean sky. Glory!
In that moment, I realized God was looking down on all of this. Watching these children experience a part of His creation like never before-in community, with others to share their joy! This is exactly what God want us to be like. Worshipping, marveling, delighting in Him and His creation with others, excited to be in His presence.
We will study “Creation” this next week in Academy. We will hear about many worldviews on creation-from Darwin to philosophers, and I’m so thankful to have this experience beforehand. I am reminded in God’s word that what we experienced yesterday was not “Mother Nature” but “God, The Creator”.
“And God said, ‘Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear. ’And it was so. God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good.” (Genesis 1:9-10)
“All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.” (John 1:3)
“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” (Psalm 19:1)
“For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made . . .” (Romans 1:19-20)
“Thus says God, the LORD, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it” (Isaiah 42:5)
What a joy to not only know there is a Creator, but to know Him as my Redeemer, Savior, and Lord as well.
P.S. Here is a link to the song "All Creatures" by David Crowder Band. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cObXwn-EgGY&feature=related
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Transformed & Renewed
Scripture 2
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2, ESV)
I chose this scripture to memorize over these next 2 weeks because it’s the scripture that our next Academy course will be focusing on all semester long, answering 6 major questions of life from both philosophical view and biblical view.
1. Creation: Where did we come from?
2. Mission: Why are we here?
3. Evil: What is evil, and where did it come from?
4. Liberation: What can be done about evil?
5. Transformation: How do we change?
6. Mortality: How does death relate to life?
What we believe determines how we live.
We all have a theology. We all believe certain things about God and the way he works. Some believe He is non-existent, others believe He is intimately involved in our lives. What we think rules our beliefs, our actions, our way of life. We make up our minds on what is right or wrong, fair or unfair, just and unjust. We use our thoughts to guide our hearts and our actions.
Do not be conformed to this world . . .
Our whole Christian life is a battlefield of thought-ways of the world vs. ways of God. We are filled from the time we are born with many voices influencing our minds “You need to make yourself happy” or “You need to have good self-esteem”, or “You can’t love others until you love yourself first”. The world tells you to build yourself up, and you will be happy! That’s being conformed to the world-believing what the world tells you and living accordingly.
But be transformed by the renewal of your mind . . .
Transform means to change in condition, nature, or character. Think of metamorphosis (Caterpillar to Butterfly). Renew means to restore to a former state; make new or as if new again. These words bring me so much hope! God’s word will transform me (change me) and renew my mind (restore, make me new-better than my original condition). His word will align my thinking to be like His.
We cannot change our actions until we’ve changed our thinking. That’s why it’s so important to renew our minds with the one and only Truth, God’s word. As you start reading God’s word, you find out it is not about “myself” at all. It’s about coming to the end of myself, so that He may begin. God wants to change us, to transform us, but not by our hard work or self-discipline. He wants to work in us by allowing the Holy Spirit to renew our thinking and conform our hearts to His.
That by testing you may discern what is the will of God . . .
There are many answers to life’s questions floating around in the world. It’s important that we consult the Maker of life for His answers. What His will is, not everyone else’s. We need to be able to test the philosophies against God’s will, and differentiate between truth and lie. We need to know God’s answers to these questions, because our beliefs determine our actions.
What is good and acceptable and perfect . . .
That’s why His word is written down for us, so that we may know the path of life and how to live according to His design, which is what ultimately brings us peace and joy!
Heavenly Father, I pray that through this course you would change me from the inside-out. I ask that you would transform my thinking, renew my mind, and conform my heart to Yours. Help me to stay on the path you have paved for me, to delight in Your word, and abide in Your love.
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11)
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105)
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2, ESV)
I chose this scripture to memorize over these next 2 weeks because it’s the scripture that our next Academy course will be focusing on all semester long, answering 6 major questions of life from both philosophical view and biblical view.
1. Creation: Where did we come from?
2. Mission: Why are we here?
3. Evil: What is evil, and where did it come from?
4. Liberation: What can be done about evil?
5. Transformation: How do we change?
6. Mortality: How does death relate to life?
What we believe determines how we live.
We all have a theology. We all believe certain things about God and the way he works. Some believe He is non-existent, others believe He is intimately involved in our lives. What we think rules our beliefs, our actions, our way of life. We make up our minds on what is right or wrong, fair or unfair, just and unjust. We use our thoughts to guide our hearts and our actions.
Do not be conformed to this world . . .
Our whole Christian life is a battlefield of thought-ways of the world vs. ways of God. We are filled from the time we are born with many voices influencing our minds “You need to make yourself happy” or “You need to have good self-esteem”, or “You can’t love others until you love yourself first”. The world tells you to build yourself up, and you will be happy! That’s being conformed to the world-believing what the world tells you and living accordingly.
But be transformed by the renewal of your mind . . .
Transform means to change in condition, nature, or character. Think of metamorphosis (Caterpillar to Butterfly). Renew means to restore to a former state; make new or as if new again. These words bring me so much hope! God’s word will transform me (change me) and renew my mind (restore, make me new-better than my original condition). His word will align my thinking to be like His.
We cannot change our actions until we’ve changed our thinking. That’s why it’s so important to renew our minds with the one and only Truth, God’s word. As you start reading God’s word, you find out it is not about “myself” at all. It’s about coming to the end of myself, so that He may begin. God wants to change us, to transform us, but not by our hard work or self-discipline. He wants to work in us by allowing the Holy Spirit to renew our thinking and conform our hearts to His.
That by testing you may discern what is the will of God . . .
There are many answers to life’s questions floating around in the world. It’s important that we consult the Maker of life for His answers. What His will is, not everyone else’s. We need to be able to test the philosophies against God’s will, and differentiate between truth and lie. We need to know God’s answers to these questions, because our beliefs determine our actions.
What is good and acceptable and perfect . . .
That’s why His word is written down for us, so that we may know the path of life and how to live according to His design, which is what ultimately brings us peace and joy!
Heavenly Father, I pray that through this course you would change me from the inside-out. I ask that you would transform my thinking, renew my mind, and conform my heart to Yours. Help me to stay on the path you have paved for me, to delight in Your word, and abide in Your love.
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11)
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105)
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Know My Heart
"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life." (Psalm 139:23-24 NLT)
A few weeks ago I was praying this part of Psalm 139, and realized that when you ask God to reveal things about your heart, He will. He will refine you, purify you, point out things in you that offend Him. He will change you from the inside out because He loves you.
I often ask the LORD to mold me to be more like Him, to break my heart for what breaks His, and then when He starts to, I am kicking and screaming “the fire’s too hot, the pain is too deep!” It reminded me of an email I received years ago (you may have all read it before), but thought I’d share. It talks about what God starts doing when He reveals in you the things that offend Him-He sanctifies, purifies, and refines.
"He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver . . ." (Malachi 3:3)
This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study. That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver.
As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot then she thought again about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver."
She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.
The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?" He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy - when I see my image in it."
What an encouragement to know that our Lord burns away our impurities, watches every second as we are transformed to look more and more like Him! Take comfort in knowing that these hard times, refnining and purifying times, are meant to purge those offensive things and make you to look more like Jesus. Thankful we have a gracious Refiner, who is in control, and will purify me to lead me to everlasting life.
Search me, oh God, and know my heart . . .
A few weeks ago I was praying this part of Psalm 139, and realized that when you ask God to reveal things about your heart, He will. He will refine you, purify you, point out things in you that offend Him. He will change you from the inside out because He loves you.
I often ask the LORD to mold me to be more like Him, to break my heart for what breaks His, and then when He starts to, I am kicking and screaming “the fire’s too hot, the pain is too deep!” It reminded me of an email I received years ago (you may have all read it before), but thought I’d share. It talks about what God starts doing when He reveals in you the things that offend Him-He sanctifies, purifies, and refines.
"He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver . . ." (Malachi 3:3)
This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study. That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver.
As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot then she thought again about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver."
She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.
The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?" He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy - when I see my image in it."
What an encouragement to know that our Lord burns away our impurities, watches every second as we are transformed to look more and more like Him! Take comfort in knowing that these hard times, refnining and purifying times, are meant to purge those offensive things and make you to look more like Jesus. Thankful we have a gracious Refiner, who is in control, and will purify me to lead me to everlasting life.
Search me, oh God, and know my heart . . .
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