Have you ever noticed a couple who have been married for many years? They have truly become one. They finish each others sentences. At a restaurant they look down the menu and can tell you what the other person will order. They start smiling when their spouse begins to tell a story, because they know the punchline is going to be good. They even start looking more and more like one another. It is hard to know where one of them starts and the other stops.

James Houston once said “Prayer is keeping company with God, and we become like the One with whom we keep company.” That is the invitation: to spend time in the presence of the One who beckons us to the life-changing friendship called prayer.  Jesus kept company with His Father while here on earth.  Seven times Luke records Jesus praying: at His baptism (3:21), often (5:16), all night before choosing the twelve to be with Him (6:12), privately (9:18), before His transfiguration (9:28), in an accustomed place (11:1), in the garden (22:41-44), and from the cross (23:34).

That is my passion for me and for you. I want us to get up close to Him in His Word long enough that we see it not as a theological treatise or an object of study, but as opportunity to deepen our relationship as a friend of God. I want us to break out in praise to our holy, holy, holy, yet-oh-so-personal God, search our souls by the light of the Holy Spirit, share our hurts and fears and run for refuge to our Keeper, and draw closer to Jesus in pure devotion.

God desires an intimate relationship with us. God beckons us deeper into His heart, and we must not hold back. We need the personal resolve of Joshua who said, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”  We ask for God-given vision birthed in prayer, God-given ministry based on prayer, and God-permeated mission completely depending on Him. Then our lives will bear the imprint of His character in light, peace, joy, power, and truth.

As we continue on this journey with God through the years, people will begin to notice that level of oneness in us. As we soak in His Word and allow it to become a part of us, we can finish His “sentences.”  We will smile in the middle of the story God is unfolding, because we know the punchline is going to be good.  And people will begin to say, “You know, they even look like each other.”

By Sylvia Gunter
used by permission

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The post The Heart of Prayer can be found at Thoughts about God.

“About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray.”
Luke 9:28

As we lifted off the runway and made a turn to the South over Puget Sound, I could see it in the hazy distance. As we got closer, it got bigger and more visibly clear. Suddenly we were there and as we flew around the peak of Mt. Rainer, so close that it seemed we could almost touch it. I reached for my camera.

There’s just something spiritual and spectacular about being on a mountaintop. Have you ever thought about how many significant Biblical events occurred on a mountain top? Moses got the Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai and later saw the Promised Land from Mt. Moab. Jesus was gloriously transfigured on the Mt. of Transfiguration.

We see God’s handiwork all around us, but perhaps in a greater way in His spectacular creation of the mighty mountain peaks around the world. But mountains are also a symbol of challenge, as they remind us that the best view is always from the top.  In our spiritual growth, we should never stop halfway up, as the real reward is at the peak. We gain our real strength, both spiritual and physical, when we press to reach the pinnacle.

Caleb is one of my Biblical heroes. When God was dividing up the land among the Israelites, the people were asking for the lush valleys and grassy plains, but Caleb asked for a mountain, for it was there that their enemies had been chased and built their fortresses. That did not intimidate Caleb, as he wanted a challenge. He trusted not in his own strength, but in God’s presence. He wanted to see God at work and choose a place where he would have to trust in God. He refused to allow the difficulty to stop him from enjoying all that God had promised him.

If you always choose the easy way, asking for peaceful valleys, you will never see God’s full power displayed to enable you to take a mountain. Seek out the mountains, and you will witness God doing things through your life that can be explained only by His mighty presence.

by John Grant
used by permission
John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney

FURTHER READING

The Mountain Top and the Valley

Mountaintops

A Moving Mountain

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The post A Mountaintop Experience can be found at Thoughts about God.

“I urge you to imitate me…” 1 Corinthians 4:16

“Imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised..” Hebrews 6:12

“Consider the outcome of (your leaders) way of life and imitate their faith..” Hebrews 13:7

After refreshing her cup of coffee, my always-stylish friend returned to our table with a chuckle. When I asked the reason for her amusement, she replied, “As I passed a nearby booth, a woman said,  “I want to look like you! Not just your clothes, I want to look like you when I’m your age.”

Whether joining me for our regular Monday morning meeting at a favorite restaurant or cleaning out the garage, Anne’s wardrobe is “together.”  Her finances are minimal so I know her clothing is not from the exclusive stores on the north end of town, but she always somehow knows how to dress whether the outfit is casual or dressy. On this particular morning she leaned toward the former: jeans, sandals, black tee and oversized white shirt. And a straw hat perched on her short, stylishly cut white hair.

But my seventy-year-old friend possesses much more than an innate talent for putting together the right clothing. It is her “inner wardrobe” that sets her apart, the quality that draws people. Anne spends much time in the Word, seeking to always obey what the Holy Spirit reveals. She devotes herself to life-changing prayer, prayer that includes her family, friends and their concerns, her church family, the broader Christian community, her country and the world. While reading the newspaper or hearing media broadcasts, she prays for people and events. She is well read, well informed. She attracts people not only to herself but to the Jesus she loves and follows.

The Apostle Paul was bold to say, “I urge you to imitate me“.  While recognizing his human tendencies, he also knew that, when controlled by God’s Spirit, he could relax and allow that Spirit to produce life that could be imitated. What an affirmation of God’s work within us when someone says, “I want to look like you!”

Lord, you know that too often there is little family resemblance between me and you. Please remind me to dress my spirit as well as my body each morning and thus draw people to your beauty.

By Marilyn Ehle
used by permission

FURTHER READING

Just Like Jesus

Mirroring God’s Image

Son Reflectors

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“I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”  Ephesians 3:17-19

Thoughts on today’s verse

Love that surpasses knowledge. That’s very difficult to explain, but when you have loved your spouse for decades you experience what this means. When you love a child and do what you never dreamed you could do for another human being, you understand this phrase. And when you stand before God, adopted as a full heir of all his great riches, a full sibling to Jesus Christ the Lord, and know you are seen as holy, without reproach, and blameless, you begin to understand this phrase.

Prayer:

Holy and incredible God, help me to know in my soul the love that is greater than words and knowledge so that I may not only be like you, but that I may know you in experience just as I know you in faith. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.

by Phil Ware
used by permission

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God of Love

You are Loved

Grasp His Love for You

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“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.  For He chose us in Him before creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight.  In love He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will- to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves.” Ephesians 1:3-6 NIV

I whisk the tablecloth off the round table to throw it in the laundry. My heart skips a beat as I see six little words written in red marker on the wood surface.  I had long forgotten about the messy scribble my 7 year old daughter had written many years ago but there it was- her precious words “I love you Mom Dad Zack”.

I wonder to myself, “How could I have forgotten about this treasure, a piece of my daughter’s heart, written with such pride and love?”

The scene comes rushing back to mind as I recall scurrying around to tidy up for a holiday party.  In efforts to make the house look more presentable to my guests, I had covered the old kitchen table, now used in our sun room as a work/craft table, with a colorfully patterned fabric tablecloth.  At the time, the marks, scribbles, and even etchings, didn’t seem too appealing so I tried to disguise and hide them under the cloth.  I was sure my guests would not fully appreciate my sweet daughter’s doodles and words as I did.

So there they remained for weeks and months- hidden and forgotten, until just now as I was pleasantly surprised on laundry day.

Sometimes I try to disguise my heart and soul.  I try to cover up the real me in attempt to look presentable to others.  My insecurities, failures, and sins make it hard to let others get to know me.  Afraid of not being accepted and appreciated, my feelings, fears, and vulnerabilities get pushed down deep.

Deeper…

Deeper still.  I don’t want others to see the messy me- the scribble and blots on my heart and soul.  I try to hide the imperfections that make me ME.

But they can never truly be concealed.

The Bible reminds I cannot hide from my Father and I am loved no matter how messed up I am.  God knew long before the earth was created that He would love me through every sin, every mistake, every time I grieve His heart.  He has called me Holy and set me apart as His child.  He blesses me abundantly and overwhelmingly with His unselfish grace.  I am not just accepted but cherished.  God thinks of the mistakes and magic marker scribbles of my life as valuable as He uses them to teach and form me into the beautiful masterpiece I was created to be.

It’s OK to let others see your imperfections and flaws.  We all have them and God certainly knows all about them.  Today, ask the Lord to use all parts of your life, the beautiful and not-so-beautiful, to bring Him glory.

“Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me unconditionally.  Thank You for seeing me, knowing me, and wanting me, despite my clutter and dirtiness.  Make my life a living testament to Your glory as You work all things for good.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

By Alisha Ritchie
used by permission

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The post Messy Scribble can be found at Thoughts about God.

“He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer (and fasting)” Mark 9:29

Prayer became more of a discipline in my life after I yielded the control of life to Jesus Christ and began to walk in the Spirit. (Until then, I called to God in emergencies and before meals, but talking to God had not become a way of life.) Then the Bible became alive to me and I began to pray specifically, trusting in and testing God’s promises. Many, many prayers were answered.

I also began to fast. Sometimes for three days, sometimes once a week, sometimes for 10 days or two weeks. Sometimes it would be a complete fast – only water. Sometimes I would have juice. At times I would give up eating certain foods, or watching television or even wearing makeup.

When our son was in his early 20s, we discovered he was addicted to alcohol.  For a while he alienated himself from us and from the rest of the family. We never saw him drunk – not once – but others had and we loved him too much to let him destroy himself.

I love coffee and our children often joked that I was addicted. So I reasoned, ‘If they are right, my prayers for our son are phony.’  So I decided, with God’s help, I would stop drinking coffee until he quit drinking alcohol.  And that is what I did.  Giving up something I really enjoyed so that perhaps God would deliver our son.

God answered. As a family, we decided to have an intervention. We all told him that we loved him, but knew he was in deep trouble and wanted him to go to a treatment center to get help. Before the intervention, my husband made the arrangements for his flight and stay at the treatment center.  His boss not only gave him a leave of absence, but helped pay for his treatment.  There was only one thing left – he had to agree to go.

Thankfully, he did agree to go and after six weeks at the center he came home.  He was delivered from the addiction to alcohol.

Sometimes we have to fast and pray to have our prayers answered.  If God impresses you to do so, let me encourage you to obey Him.

Father God, I sure don’t understand the increased power that fasting brings to our intercession, but I do know that You expected Your followers to fast. Please cause Your people to fast and pray so Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Thank you.  Amen.

by Katherine Kehler
Used by Permission

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Healing Prayer for Hurting People

A Prayer for When You are Weak or Ill

A Prayer for When you Feel Like you have Failed

A Prayer for When you are Fearful

A Prayer for Strength during troubling times

A Prayer for Conflict Resolution

A Prayer for Those Carrying Heavy Burdens

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The post Fasting can be found at Thoughts about God.

This is such a perfect time of year to express God’s love to others.

Here are a few ideas.

• Write to someone in military service.  Consider sending a care package.

• Make a date to celebrate Christmas with a lonely nursing home resident.
  Maybe even make it a monthly commitment!

• If you have a bad shopping experience, replace your complaint letter with a note saying that you’ll be praying for them this year.

• Take time to tell your neighbors about Christ’s story by sharing a link to an online video about Jesus. It could be a life-changing!

• Smile when you meet a stranger.

• That salesperson may only be allowed to say Happy Holidays.
  But give them a warm smile and kind word.  Then wish them a Merry Christmas!

Friend, make a point of doing something to share God’s love this holy holiday.

By Vonette Bright
used by permission

MORE CHRISTMAS content

The post Holy Holiday can be found at Thoughts about God.

“By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.”  Hebrews 11:4

In Hebrew, Abel, or Habal, means vapour or vanity, in the sense that it is of little substance and brief. Therefore, based upon the context of the passage in Genesis, scholars assume Abel died young, before he and his brother, Cain, both married and had children.

We tend to think of the death of someone young more mournfully than others. And in reading the story of Cain and Abel, we see Abel’s death at Cain’s jealous hands as a life unfairly cut off. Abel seemed to have so much potential!

Even though Abel apparently died young, we are reminded in Hebrews that outward appearances don’t always dictate the circumstances. His righteous lifestyle echoed throughout the ages and is still discussed today. His humble and reverent attitude serves as a reminder to us that no life, no matter how short, is vapour in God’s eyes when we are walking with him.

God has the ability to take the tragedy of a short-lived life like Abel’s and turn it into a household story, an eternal way to glorify God. Abel is our reminder that what others see on the outside isn’t necessarily what God sees. Serving God all of our days, no matter how short or long they are, is eternally impactful, and to God, such a life is never wasted.

Think about your life, no matter how short or long it’s been so far. Have your actions glorified God? If not, now is the time to walk closer to his ways so, like Abel, you can glorify him.

Dear Lord, please give me the ability to glorify you to the best of my ability. Show me the ways I can serve you better and guide me in spreading your name to the nations. Amen.

By Ashlea Massie
Used by Permission

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The post What God Sees can be found at Thoughts about God.

“The Lord is my strength and my shield, my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices; and with my song will I praise him.” Psalms 28:7

Not too long ago, I had a professor make me aware of something she saw that I was struggling with. What she said touched me so deeply my eyes immediately started welling up with tears. I needed healing in an area of my life I was choosing to ignore and hoped would just go away.

Trusting God with our hearts so He can heal us takes courage.

When Jesus confronted the Samaritan woman at the well and her sin was exposed, she had a choice as to how she would respond. It took courage when she ran back to her town and shared with everyone how Jesus knew everything about her. “Then they left the town and made their way to Him” (John 4:30).

Being vulnerable with God and trusting Him with areas of our life that are difficult to face is exactly what He desires. God is the only one who can forgive us, heal us, love us through the situation, and give us the guidance we need.

The Samaritan woman received healing in her own heart; her testimony helped to heal the many that came to God that day.

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me and always being here for me in my times of need. I give you ______________ [state the areas you need God to heal], and ask that You would heal me. I desire to be close to you and to know You more. Amen.

By Brigitte Straub
used by permission

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The post Hidden Wounds can be found at Thoughts about God.

“Master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant” Matthew 25:23

One evening, our six-year old granddaughter, Tia, came into our house with a piece of paper and pencil in hand. She had a Sunday school project.

“Grandma,” she said, “I want to draw your foot.” So I obediently put my bare foot on the paper and she drew around it. Then she wanted to know what I wanted Jesus to say to me when I met Him face to face.

“Well, that’s easy,” I said to her, “I want Jesus to say, ‘Good job, Katherine!’ So, with her mom’s help she carefully printed, “Good job, Katherine“. beside the drawing of my big foot.

The next Sunday, the church gymnasium had a whole wall covered with grandparents’ footprints. Good job! Faithful servants of our Lord!

One winter, Marvin and I traveled in Southern California. One of the highlights of this trip was meeting long-time friends and co-workers, men and women who have been serving the Lord for many, many years.

We celebrated with Warren and Diane Willis. They had been in ministry for over 30 years.

The Willis’ have been faithful. Faithful to God, faithful to their call, faithful to each other, faithful to their children and grandchildren. Only when they get to heaven will they see all the results of their faithfulness, but even now, we know that thousands of people gave their lives to Jesus Christ because this couple remained faithful. I am certain Jesus will say to them, “Well done, good and faithful servants!”

What do you want Jesus to say to you when you meet Him face to face?

Father, as we leave our footprints here on earth, we ask ourselves, “Where are we leading those who are following?” May they find us faithful to You until death. Amen.

by Katherine Kehler
used by permission

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The post What Do You Want Jesus to Say? can be found at Thoughts about God.