Praying Scripture

Posted on July 26, 2015 by Lynn

b419e4d6e3d1aa46c3c8cc010b8192e9Some of my most popular blog postings this year have been 25 Encouraging Bible Verses on Stress, Peace, Families, Rest and Relaxation etc.  Readers of my blog from around the world have taken the time to comment or send me emails that on some of their more challenging days, God led them to read those blog postings and be encouraged through scripture.

I will admit there are days that I need to “put my money where my mouth is” and stop trying to do things on my own and just lean on God’s Word for guidance, wisdom, strength and hope.  I need to read those particular postings just as much as my readers do!

Lately I have also felt dry in my prayer life.  I spend concerted amount of time praying for my children, grandchildren and family but there are times I come up thirsty.  It is in those dry times when I honestly don’t know what to pray that praying scripture helps direct my focus entirely on God.  Hebrews 4:12 says that God’s Word is alive and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword. When praying the Scriptures, we are coming into agreement with God, and His power is released to answer our prayers.

There are some excellent books and online resources to help you practice praying scripture but a good place to start is in Psalms.  Read each Psalm aloud and allow God’s Word to impact your soul!

Psalm 23 – The Lord is My Shepherd

Psalm 30:6-12 – Help

Psalm 42 – Hunger for the Lord

Psalm 51: 1-12 –  Confession of Sin

Psalm 63 – Focus on the Lord

Psalm 86 – In Need of the Lord

Psalm 91 – God is My Refuge

Psalm 136 – Giving Thanks

Psalm 139 – Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

Psalm 145:1-16  – The Lord is Worthy of Praise

And I like to close with this: Psalm 138:2-3 “I will bow down toward Your holy temple And give thanks to Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word according to all Your name. On the day I called, You answered me; You made me bold with strength in my soul.”  Amen.

 

 

 

Posted in Proverbs 16:9 - Journey Thoughts | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

No God – No Fruit; Know God – Know Fruit

Posted on July 20, 2015 by Lynn

fruits-of-the-spirit-LOVE“Christians are no different than anyone else in this world!” she said and I felt the sting of her words like a slap to my face.

Unfortunately in her experience she had encountered more than her fair share of those “Christians” who talked a good talk, but never walked the good walk.  People who claimed to be Christian but their behaviour was no different than any other person and in some cases even worse than a non-believer in a similar circumstance.  People who claimed their “Christianity” based on their attendance at church, the fact they were baptized, and tried to involve themselves in church activity as much as possible thinking that “doing” good would earn them a place in heaven.

It was hard to argue with her.

A former Pastor of ours had a saying and I think it’s a good one.  “Hurt people, hurt people.”

This is true in life and in the church.  Our church pews are filled with “hurt people”.  Some of us hurt because of life circumstances.  Some of us hurt because of unmet expectations.  Some of us hurt because of bitterness, envy, malice, and unforgiveness and a host of other selfish attitudes that make us strike out at anyone just to vent our frustrations.

The sad truth is that being Christian does not guarantee that we will be free of strife or worries, in fact scripture tells us that being Christian is wrought with hardship.  “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (2 Timothy 3:12)  Our humanness hardens us and at times Christians are guilty of doing the most “ungodly” of things.

That said, we are called to resist the world and to act contrary to what may be expected when faced with trials and temptations.  We are to bear fruit in the midst of suffering.  It’s an impossible task without God.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”  (Galatians 5:22-23) 

Christians are known by their “fruit”.  If we do not display those qualities in our daily walk then it is true to say that we are not following God as closely as we should be: No God – No Fruit.  However, to try to harvest the fruit of the Spirit, we are entirely dependent on God: Know God – Know Fruit.  We must fully rely on God to help us love, find joy, be at peace, have forbearance, show kindness and goodness, remain faithful, display gentleness and be self-controlled.  We can do none of this on our own strength.  If we try, we will fail and the world will accuse us accordingly, but if we lean on God in all circumstances, the world will notice and be astounded.

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in Proverbs 16:9 - Journey Thoughts | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

A Senior Moment

Posted on July 14, 2015 by Lynn

Well, it’s official…I’ve had my first senior moment.  I was buying a few things at a local store and the lady asked me if I qualified for the “Senior’s Discount”.  I asked what that was, and I could tell she was choosing her words carefully just in case she made an assumption about my age that was incorrect.  “If you’re 55 years and over you get a 20% discount on your purchase today.”

Well, a 20% discount would save me a bit of money so even though it pained me to admit the truth, I said, “I’m a senior.”

I’ve been in denial for a couple of years, even though I happily admit to being a Grandma, I don’t think about that as being synonymous with being a senior.  I always thought a “senior” was someone WAY older than me now.  I’m just WAY too young to be a senior!  But as I looked at the receiptimages8W5B1TRN that read: “SOLD TO: Senior”, I could almost feel a few gray hairs sprout as I left the store.

Ironically the items I purchased today were make-up products and believe it or not, they were all advertised as having “anti-aging” ingredients.  It won’t reverse the signs of aging, just cover it up a bit…or so I thought.  Obviously it didn’t fool the lady at the counter because she had no trouble determining I was a “senior” regardless of any make-up I wore.

When I got home I thought about the encounter and took a good, long look in the mirror and had to smile.  I told someone the other day that I would NEVER want to go back in time and be a teenager or a young adult again.  I made a lot of mistakes during those years; I learned those lessons and I feel no need to repeat them.  If I am totally honest, I’m completely and wonderfully comfortable in this season of my life.

I’ve got a few wrinkles and yes, some gray hairs but I wear them like a badge of honour.  I’ve earned them!  I intend to earn a head full of them before I’m done.

“Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.”  (Proverbs 16:31)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in Family Life, Proverbs 16:9 - Journey Thoughts | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments