Pray Without Ceasing!

You've probably heard the ole saying, pray without ceasing. It's actually taken from 1Thessalonians 5:17. However, do you know what it means to pray without ceasing? It means to pray without stopping. Our prayers are heard in heaven and we have the honor to petition to the Lord our concerns of this world. Sometimes God's answers are a quick yes, sometimes a flat out no, and other times is a wait!

Some prayers take years to see a difference. Some prayers come by assignment. Some prayers are the desires of our heart. It's okay to have desires in your heart. If they aren't from God, He's big enough to handle it for you and get you on the right track. Even the worst prayer can be changed and you will probably be changed in the process too!

I have found myself in a lifestyle of prayer. This means before my feet hit the floor, I say, "Good morning Lord! What do you have for me today?" It means as I'm going through my day I'm talking to God. It means when I lie down at night, I say a prayer before I fall asleep. If something is weighing heavy on me, I kneel by my bed to talk to Him until peace comes and then I can climb into my bed. This means I literately walk with the Lord all day and am in regular conversation. It also means when I'm driving down the road and people see me moving my lips and hands in my car, without anyone sitting next to me, yea... I'm cray cray for Jesus! :D

He is my redeemer, restorer, healer, and  the video above is to give you an insight as to how that came about. I tell you my friend.... With God all things ARE possible! Mark 10:27


                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Overcome Evil with Good

When tragedy strikes we take a stand back and wonder why. Why would a “so called,” All Powerful, All Knowing, and All Loving God allow such a thing? Where is His hand in the midst of such a terrible situation? The shock of the news leaves us numb as we sort out the information that trickles in. As for the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, it was a tragedy. A tragedy that we wished never happened. So many young innocent victims lost their lives, all too soon. It was a tragedy, at the hand of an ill young man. A tragedy where evil showed it’s ugly face once again.

Our world is the place where each and every person has the opportunity to choose how they will live. Will they live in goodness or evil? Our all loving and mighty God allows mankind to have that free will. We are not puppets on a string. As much as we could live our lives to help mankind, we can also live our lives to destroy mankind. Just as God and goodness needs willing vessels to make it known in this world, so does sin and evil. Sin is a friend to Satan and needs willing vessels in order to prove it is alive and active in humanity. Each time a person surrenders to sin, evil prevails. Sin always leads to death. It destroys relationships and lives. It has a way to eat at the core of all God’s goodness and mandate to mankind, “Be fruitful multiply and subdue the earth.” The enemy knows he is the prince of the air. He sends out commands to his demonic forces to work directly against the goodness of God for mankind and His creation. For every good thing, there is it’s counterfeit of evil.

We mourn with those who have lost their loved ones because we know the pain of loss is great. We may even ask ourselves, how can we help now? We cannot ever bring back their loved ones. Since God does call us to "partner" with Him, we too can overcome evil with good. Here are just a few ideas:

• Pray for the families and the community. We can ask that the Lord to pour out his grace and mercy in a special way. We can also pray the Lord keep them from going into bondage of fear and anxiety. 
• Focus on the "heroes" of that day. Rather than allowing evil to consume our thoughts. We need to praise the Lord for those who were willing to take a stand against evil. 
•  We can hold prayer vigils on their behalf and let our tears flow “with them” as our hearts ache for them.
• We can also send cards and gifts to them and their community. Even though the whole community's lives have been turned upside down, there will be children and families that need to have a sense of normalcy. For some of them it means Santa is suppose to come to on Christmas. With so many families being impacted by this tragedy, it's possible "Santa" could "forget." But with the help from so many, I believe we will see something positive coming from something so extremely difficult. For further information on sending cards or gifts - click:
•  http://www.ktvn.com/story/20358955/sandy-hook-school-fund-established

As people press into God for help, God will provide “out of this world” answers to their sorrow and pain. He WILL overcome evil with good. God will impart compassion and ideas, which provide ways for believers to help in this time of need.

Even though it seems like evil has prevailed, God in His abundance of life will have the final victory and we can join Him in this endeavor.

 

May this video provide some hope, healing, and restoration to those in need...

Forgiveness vs Reconciliation

Have you ever heard of the cliché, “forgive and forget?” I heard this statement growing up but I couldn’t get myself to agree with it. Even as a dedicated Christ believing adult, I just can’t accept these words.

I discovered the reason why.

In my mind, I would have to become friends with the offender once more and accept their behavior. Yet, the words, “Not again,” would ring true in my heart as I would watch them repeat their behavior to others. As much as I would be willing to allow Christ to work in my heart to forgive, I couldn’t forget what they had done. I wouldn’t want to put myself in their line of fire any longer. Without Christ revealing truth in their lives, I would never be able to come to a place of reconciliation. Yes, I could forgive but I couldn’t reconcile and forget.

To forgive is to release the offender from your desire to have repayment for their wrong doing. This God given instruction is something you choose to obey, "And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive him, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses," (Mark 11:14). In the hardest situations you will discover by the grace of God, you are able to forgive and have healing.

Reconciliation takes two parties surrendered to God's way for healing. Both sides recognize the offense. The offender must realize what they have done and apologize for their wrong doing before the relationship can be mended. The victim also needs to accept their apology. Reconciliation takes effort and deliberate work from both parties. With God working in both hearts, it's possible. In time, creating new and better memories will overcome the past and forgetting the offense will become easier.

Unfortunately, there are times that the offender does not come to a place of seeking an apology. It's even possible they take their unrepentant behaviors to the grave, which is between them and God. Never the less, you can walk in peace as you have been obedient to do your part and trust the Lord is working on the situation.

In a perfect world, we all would get along nicely and nobody would get hurt. Since we do not live in a perfect world, there are people who offend and justify their behavior. Sometimes their offenses are downright abusive. It’s nearly impossible to reconcile with someone who continues to bring harm. It’s best to pray for them,"Bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you,”(Matt 6:28). In time, the offender may come to terms with their actions and seek your forgiveness. I’ve heard many stories whereby the offender had the revelation of Christ and they were able to apologize to their victims. Once they sought forgiveness, it gave room for reconciliation. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,” (2Cor 5:17&18).

It’s important to remember two things about forgiveness vs reconciliation:

Forgiveness is between you and God as you choose to be in obedience to His instruction.

Reconciliation is between you, the offender, and God. Each one works together to have the victory of reconciliation.

Once an offense has taken place, you can’t go back in time to change what has happened. However, you can change the outcome by allowing Christ to work in you. It's important to forgive. But forgetting requires a healing process which often comes hand in hand with reconciliation and rebuilding the relationship.

Sometimes it’s hard to know how to pray for our offender. Here’s an example, but remember it’s not just the words you speak to God; it’s your heart that’s most important:

“Dear Lord, thank you for giving me the courage to forgive (you give name). I ask that you help them understand what they have done (and are possibly still doing). Help me to be kind in their presence as I wait upon you Lord~Amen.”

God Bless!

Deborah