2 Kings 6.33 observes, the LORD is responsible for this disaster! Why should I continue to wait for the
LORD to help?
On the eve of his deliverance the king of Israel loses his hope and gives up on God. The king had faith as long as he could but he finally reached his breaking point. All of his praying, all of his fasting, all of his trying to do the right thing culminated in nothing in his mind. (more…)
Ezekiel 8.6 observes, son of man, do you see what they are doing – the great abominations that the people of Israel are practicing here, to drive Me far from My sanctuary? But you will see greater
abominations than these!
This snapshot into the life of Israel records them fasting and praying seeking God’s mercy and favor for changing their miserable situation. Difficult times has the affect of moving us to prayer. Israel was trying to market themselves to God as penitent, faithful and obedient.
Yet God sees all, not just the religious show we put on for Him. (more…)
Matthew 6.8 observes, your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. So why pray?
Knowing everything is an integral character quality for being God. Since God knows everything why should I pray? The God-Man, Jesus the Savior, makes this observation. So why pray?
We really can’t help but pray. We will pray. Everyone prays. We don’t have to live long on this earth before realizing we need someone greater than ourselves to be in control and to gain control of this world. In our darkest hours all people pray. (more…)
Isaiah 1.15 observes, when you spread out your hands in prayer, I look the other way; when you offer your many prayers, I
do not listen, because your hands are covered with blood.
Today is the National Day of Prayer. Historically, it is the time when we as a nation turn to God to repent from our sins against Him and to seek His help for our many struggles. President Washington instituted such a day both to beg God’s help for our nation and to thank Him for the help He had already given.
It was president Truman however who signed the bill into law that officially gave us this day of remembrance. Again, it was both a somber day remembering the world and its rebellion against God as evidenced by its most recent world war and a celebration that God had delivered us, this nation, from our enemies. (more…)
Psalm 18.35 promises, You give me Your protective shield; Your right hand supports me; Your willingness to help enables
me to prevail.
Some people call God a crutch. A manufactured belief for weak people. I agree. I need a crutch and I am weak. But God isn’t manufactured by me nor the billions who also seek Him. (more…)
Daniel 10.12 encourages, don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to
your prayer.
Imagine praying and an angel or Jesus Himself showing up to say your prayers have been heard and I have come in response. That would be pretty incredible. That was Daniel’s experience.
Why did God listen to Daniel? Daniel did two things any of us can do and if we do them we can be confident that our prayers too will be heard. (more…)
Mark 12.30-31 commands, you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. The second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself. No other
commandment is greater than these.
How can we practically love God? (more…)
John 11.41 observes Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me.”
One of our hindrances to prayer is our belief that God hears us. God the Son had no such hindrance with believing that God the Father heard His prayers. Why? (more…)
Luke 22.46 challenges, get up and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation.
God takes sin seriously. Sin is everything we do that defies the will of God.
This defiance is measured by God by our words, attitudes and actions toward Him and others. God has demonstrated His commitment to punish sin since humanity began their rebellion against God. (more…)
Esther 4.16 comments, If I must die, I must die.
One of the heroes of the Bible is the young woman Esther. An oft quoted statement from the book in her memory is ‘perhaps you were made queen for such a time as this.’
The story of Esther is one of tragedy and triumph, of faith and courage, of God’s faithful work behind the scenes when people risk all for His purposes. (more…)
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