Prayer

James 1: 2b
”…you do not have, because you do not ask.”

I was challenged earlier this week to meditate on a few passages that were read on Sunday and preached on, and i am jsut now doing that…but I was reading over a passage in James. and this part of verse 2, stuck out to me.

What am I asking of God? What am i praying for? Are they my own lust and passions, or are they pleasing to God?

So i was thinking about the first question…and what I am entering into the Throne Room of God when I pray…(which im realizing how sucky my prayer life really is, and how so often when we become focused more on ourselves how our prayer life hinders from that deeply).  But so often when i hear this question, my first response is  “i want You, God.” and it just hit me….’duh, I already have Him!” so why am I asking Him, for Him when He has already blessed me with His Holy Spirit!

So I ask again, what am I asking of God? I think weekly the answer to this question can change. But at this moment in time, I want to be confident in Him, in me. I desire confidence, so that He can most glorified and praised in my life, because confidence is a thing i lack quite often. But my heart’s desire is to Prasie God, and bring Him glory, and if I am confident (but not prideful) in His work in and through me, of course He will receive honor and praise!

and of course there are other requests as usual….but i leave you with this question…

Are your prayers/requests to God, genuine, from your heart? Or are you just repeating what you hear other people praying for?

Vulnerability

Vulnerable: ‘capable or susceptible to being wounded or hurt, open to moral attack, criticism…’

Many people are fearful of this word. I would be one of those people. Many people who are fearful of vulnerability, are ones who care too much of other people’s approval. I am one of these people. Many people who are fearful of vulnerability, are people who have insecurity. I am one of these people. Many people who are fearful of vulnerability and never are vulnerable, lack intimate relationships and live in insecurity.

Here is a letter I just wrote to insecurity itself.

“Insecurity I hate you. You make me physically sick. You break deep bonds in my relationships. You make me feel like food shoved down a garbage disposal. I feel worthless and unwanted in your presence. Insecurity you ruin who I really am. You ruin my close friendships. You make me think that it is all my fault. That I can never do anything right.
Insecurity you are a monster. You are deceitful yet powerful. You prey on the bruised and broken. You are full of shame and conceit. you live deep under the roots of anything you can latch onto and rot it until it’s all in pieces and dead.
Insecurity you are evil. I hate you. You ruin everything i have and am.

Insecurity you are unwanted, despised and broken. You think you have power but in the eyes of God you are but a fly under a fly swatter, dead. You try to lie and ruin God’s creation and work but you will not win. Have you not read Revelation? When Jesus returns and reigns and all evil will be thrown away forever. Your included in that evil. You will be destroyed, never to live again. Have you not heard of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross? How He has redeemed and forgiven me from my sins and saved me from an ending like yours? I will not be thrown away like you, or even by you. Because of God who is rich in mercy, I have value, that you envy. I have confidence that you hate. I have power through God’s Holy Spirit that you cannot conquer. I am victorious, which you know nothing of.

You may fool me for a little while, but I know better. I know your fate. My God is greater. He will never leave me nor forsake me. He is my pride and joy. My identity. You on the other hand, I choose to ignore….so good bye.'”

 

Trust God and rely upon God.

“I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”  Psalm 91:2

Proclaiming the Goodness of God.

PRAISE THE LORD!

When was the last time you praised the Lord? How often do you praise the Lord?

God can always be praised in our lives, His praise can always be on our lips.

Our lives praise Him when we walk in the gifts and talents He has given us. When we are true to our personality and charachter. When we take care of our bodies. When we love ourselves and those around us. When we are enjoying fellowship with people. When we are spending time with Jesus and in his word and in prayer. when we are singing, dancing, playing skillfully, laughing, smiling, crying. When we sit and listen to a hurting person. When we share His word. When we take time for people. When we bring a smile to someone’s face. When we enjoy His creation (nature and weather)….this list could go on and on…

The point is, God is praised in our lives. All to often we are not conscious of praising God with our lives, with our lips. But we are, and we can.

 

Psalm 145
”I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever.  Every day I will praise you
   and extol your name for ever and ever. 
Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;
   his greatness no one can fathom. 
One generation will commend your works to another;  they will tell of your mighty acts. 
They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty,  and I will meditate on your wonderful works. They will tell of the power of your awesome works,  and I will proclaim your great deeds. 
They will celebrate your abundant goodness
   and joyfully sing of your righteousness. 
The LORD is gracious and compassionate,
   slow to anger and rich in love. 
The LORD is good to all;
   he has compassion on all he has made. 
All you have made will praise you, O LORD;
   your saints will extol you.
They will tell of the glory of your kingdom
   and speak of your might, 
so that all men may know of your mighty acts
   and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. 
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
   and your dominion endures through all generations.

   The LORD is faithful to all his promises
   and loving toward all he has made.
The LORD upholds all those who fall
   and lifts up all who are bowed down. 
The eyes of all look to you,
   and you give them their food at the proper time.
You open your hand
   and satisfy the desires of every living thing. 
The LORD is righteous in all his ways
   and loving toward all he has made.
The LORD is near to all who call on him,
   to all who call on him in truth.  He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
   he hears their cry and saves them. 
The LORD watches over all who love him,
   but all the wicked he will destroy.

My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD.
   Let every creature praise his holy name
   for ever and ever. “

 

Psalm 148
”Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD from the heavens,  praise him in the heights above.
Praise him, all his angels,  praise him, all his heavenly hosts.  Praise him, sun and moon,
   praise him, all you shining stars.
Praise him, you highest heavens
   and you waters above the skies. 
Let them praise the name of the LORD,
   for he commanded and they were created. 
He set them in place for ever and ever;
   he gave a decree that will never pass away. 
Praise the LORD from the earth,
   you great sea creatures and all ocean depths, 
lightning and hail, snow and clouds,
   stormy winds that do his bidding, 
you mountains and all hills,
   fruit trees and all cedars,
wild animals and all cattle,
   small creatures and flying birds, 
kings of the earth and all nations,
   you princes and all rulers on earth, 
young men and maidens,
   old men and children.

Let them praise the name of the LORD,
   for his name alone is exalted;
   his splendor is above the earth and the heavens. 
He has raised up for his people a horn(king),
   the praise of all his saints,
   of Israel, the people close to his heart.

   Praise the LORD. “

 

Psalm 150
” Praise the LORD.
   Praise God in his sanctuary;
   praise him in his mighty heavens. 
Praise him for his acts of power;
   praise him for his surpassing greatness. 
Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
   praise him with the harp and lyre, 
praise him with tambourine and dancing,
   praise him with the strings and flute, 
praise him with the clash of cymbals,
   praise him with resounding cymbals.

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.

   Praise the LORD. “

 

God can and should be praised everywhere, at everytime.