The Power of Prayer is In Him

Here are some questions to ask ourselves:

Is God good ALL of the time, or just when we get what we ask for or want?

Do I praise Him in the storm?

Do I think that my prayers have power, or realize that the real power is in Him?

Isn't it funny how in everything we say or do, almost all of it comes back to ourselves?  It's hard for us to get away from "ME"...."I". God expects us to pray. He wants us to pray.  But, He doesn't need our prayers.  He will do what He will do...if it is in His Will to do so.  Our prayers are for us to keep connected.  So remember, that the only power in them comes from Him.

Worked Up In a Tizzy!

Yesterday I could feel it coming on.  It was a big, full blown, TIZZY!  Do you know what a tizzy is?  It's a self-inflicted state of mass irritability and overwhelming state of mind.  And then it begins to turn to worry and stress.  The muscles in my neck begin to tighten. My head feels like it's going to explode.  And I get all spastic!

I don't often have tizzies, but when I do, I don't like them one bit!  I feel out of control, and I am.  In fact, though, it's because I'm trying to have all control, that I get into this tizzy!  So yesterday, while it seemed that everything that was on the calendar for the next few weeks had to be done THEN, I felt that overwhelming sense of doom, really!

Finally, I sat down, and wrote out this post for our "Parents After God's Own Heart" page.  I figured it was best to just confess the problem to God, but also thought I should say it to others...first, for their prayers, but also, just in case other mom's felt the same way.  Some said they did. Others just "liked" it in either agreement or support. And I made a prayer picture that said exactly how I felt.  I told God exactly what I was doing, knowing He was the One that should be in control.  Not me.

Here is the status.  The photo is below.

"This is straight from Lori to you moms. I don't do this often, but I have today. I've worked myself into a "tizzy", and I'm working on getting stressed. Too many up-coming things that I get excited about, but then start to worry about. There's uncertainty with plans, there's orders to place, and things to remember to do....and those things turn to worry and stress! And I don't like feeling stressed! And I know I shouldn't stress...and THAT brings stress! So, I need to calm down! I need to give it to God. He'll help me. He always does! So, why do I allow myself to get to this point?! This is my prayer. Maybe you need it today, too...and maybe you'll say one for me."

I felt much better after writing that and making the photo.  But then I turned on my music to Hallal and The Zoe Group.  This is my FAVORITE song.  I've probably posted it before, but will again. Click HERE for the link, but it probably plays on the playlist at the bottom of my blog homepage.  

Today, I am starting out with the prayer above and the worship songs.  He will calm and still me - even with many things to accomplish. HE will direct my paths, not me.  

Thank you, God, for giving me what I need.  YOU.  

In Jesus' name, 

Amen

God IS Great! God IS Good!

Something to think about as you go about your day:

Is God "good" and is God "great, only when you get what you want or things are going your way, or do you say that He is good and great all of the time, regardless of the circumstances?

Often times we equate God's goodness and greatness on what He has done for us, rather than by who He is....just for being God....and for Him loving us.  Maybe we should all strive to think about how we view God in His greatness and goodness...just to make sure we're really showing Him that we love Him just as much as He loves us.

A Mark of Maturity - Faith in Trials

There's so much going on in the lives of other people - people we know who are going through trials and pain.  A couple adopted triplets and one passed away....the other two fighting to survive, surrounded by loving and caring parents, family, and hospital staff.  A two month old baby diagnosed with leukemia, beginning treatments today.  A middle-aged former-coach of mine having a heart attack and in critical condition.

It's easy to get down about these trials, even if they are not in our lives, but in the lives of others. It's easy to begin to think that everything is bad, and that there's nothing good...that it's all pain, but no joy. But, you don't have to look very far to see good.  People helping people by giving financially to help others in a time of need, people preparing meals to hungry teenagers or for a basketball tournament hospitality room, people helping clean up a basketball gym so that the cleaning personnel doesn't have to do it alone, or with only a couple of helpers.  There is good all around, despite the sadness and heartache.

As a Christian, one of the key marks of maturity is found in the trials of life.  When we are able to see beyond the pain of a situation, and keep focused on our strong faith in God, even when we may be hurting inside, that is when we will know that our faith is mature - or at least maturing.  When we may want to fall apart, we don't, because we are clinging to The One who can make us strong and help us cope.  We can do nothing on our own, but we have power in Him.  Our trials come to prove our genuine faith.  It comes so that we will give praise, glory and honor to Him.  If we 'fall apart', we're not showing our faith in God to a lost world, and we're not proving to Him that we believe He will do what He says He will do.  We have to learn to say, "The LORD is my strength.  My heart trusts in him, and I am helped."

In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Peter 1:6-7

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Psalm 46:1

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.  The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.

Psalm 28:7-8

The Gossip Test

GOSSIP TEST

Here is a gossip test - regarding the words that proceed from my lips:

1. Does it edify?
2. Do I have permission to share what I know?
3. Is it necessary to speak about this?
4. Will someone be hurt by it?
5. Will it glorify God?

WHEN SHOULD I SUSPECT A PERSON IS GOSSIPING?

1. Is this “talk” about someone who is not there?
2. Does it sound like this person has avoided the Matthew 18:15-20 step of going one on one first?

And am I ready to stop them and ask them if they have discussed this first with the person of whom they’re speaking?

1. Did they have permission to tell me what they’re telling me?
2. Would this person be saying this if that person (of whom they were speaking) were there?

WHAT TO DO IF SOMEONE GOSSIPS TO YOU:

Stop him or her before they give details and ask them,

1. Do you have permission (from this person of whom you’re speaking) to tell you what you are about to share?
2. Did you speak directly to ___________ first? (And if you did...) What did he/she say in response?

At this point, if things were done appropriately (according to Matthew 18:15-20), and the person didn’t listen, and it was determined that there is a real offense/sin involved, you will need to be willing to go with that person and follow through on Jesus’ instructions in the Matthew passage.