Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Do not be anxious

about anything, but in everything, 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. Phil 4:6-7

I have this verse taped to my monitor on my desk. I know it. I pray it throughout the day, yet I still find myself worrying. Worrying about things over which I have no control! I know this. I fully trust God; I do really. I know that what He has planned for us/me/those I love is far beyond my comprehension and more perfect and glorious than I can begin to fathom. Unfortunately, patience is a virtue that I am still developing. Matthew 6:27 advises us: Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? WORD!

So today my prayer is that God give me the strength and courage to truly let go...to stop wasting time worrying...to stop trying to "fix" things for those I love (in an attempt to prevent them from getting hurt)...Father, please grant me the peace that surpasses all understanding; please guard my heart and strengthen me to support those I love. You are in control and I gladly place my worries at your feet. Thank You for Your unconditional love and forgiveness even though I don't deserve it. I love you and my greatest desire is to serve You. AMEN.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

I came across this in Bible study today regarding praying for submission to God’s will…

Proverbs 3:5-6 says: Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

If we want things to work out well we have to acknowledge Him as Lord over all areas of our lives. When you invite Jesus into the home of your being (when you choose to make Him your Savior), you are supposed to also give Him the run of the house (making Him Lord over your life). Many times we hesitate to give it all up to Him. A time comes when each of us must place our desires and dreams in the hands of God that He might free us from those that are not in His will. You secure your future by allowing your dream to die and God’s plan to replace it.

God wants us to stop holding onto our dreams and start holding onto Him so that He can enable us to soar above ourselves and our own limitations. Whenever we let go of what we long for, God will bring it back to us in another dimension. When we obey in submission to God’s will life has simplicity and clarity and unlimited blessing.

God doesn’t stop loving us if we don’t obey. Even if He doesn’t love the way we live, He still loves us. But we are unable to feel or enjoy that love fully if we’re not living as God intended us to live, in total submission to His word and His will.

"Blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it." (Luke 11:28)

Thank you, Stormie O’Martian! Excerpts from “Seven Prayers That Will Change Your Life Forever”