How Do I Pray?
There are no 5 Easy Steps to get the answer you want. The Creator of the universe responds in brilliant strokes of vibrant colors and bedazzling patterns designed to reflect his glory and omnipotence. He is the God of the Impossible. It’s against this vivid and dynamic background that I would like you to consider your prayers and to recognize the way he has answered and answers them—in your favorite colors, tailor-made to help you understand that you are unique,
Not Going to Church Is Killing Your Faith
Have you noticed that when you feel discouraged and think that God doesn’t care about you or answer your prayers, or that your faith is meaningless, one of the first things you do is disconnect yourself from his people? Being in church is a bitter reminder of God not paying attention to you and your needs. You don’t want others’ prayers. You don’t care about their encouragement or their advice. You want to be left alone. You turn inwards, and at
Your 100 Day Prayer: Day 83 – The Journey
To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. -Jude 1:24-25 Doesn't this verse make your heart soar with hope? "It is the entire gospel in a nutshell." "A great part of keeping up prayer in the face of great odds or discouragement is the
Your 100 Day Prayer: Day 65 – Are You Listening?
by TJ Bates via Theology Mix I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer. –Psalm 17:6 A number of psalmists have recorded their complaints and frustration over the apparent "earlessness" of God. There may have been times when you have felt the same frustration and wondered if God was listening to your prayers. God answers through the psalmist who wrote in Psalm 94:9, "Does he who implanted the ear not hear?" Psalm 94:9
Your 100 Day Prayer: Day 63 – Behind the Scenes
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground and after you have done everything, to stand. –Ephesians 6:12-13 Paul describes God's armor in verses 14-18: "Stand therefore, having girded your loins with
Your 100 Day Prayer: Day 45: The Gift of Suffering
by TJ Bates via Theology Mix For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have. –Philippians 1:29-30 A question often asked is, "Why do bad things happen to good people?" What does it mean? "What Paul is saying in this passage can easily slip by us in a too-quick reading. Suffering
Your 100 Day Prayer: Day 38 – Don’t Be Afraid
For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. -Isaiah 41:13 Can you remember a time when you were afraid and your father took you by the hand, and when you heard his reassuring voice, the fear melted away? The same thing is true, even more so, when our heavenly father speaks to us, takes our hand, and tells us he will help us. "The sole
Jesus and Peter: An Inspiration for Us
by Will Powell, Guest Author I’m not sure if any of you have seen the film Kingsman? My son was excited to watch it as a family as our foray into Netflix life under lockdown. For those who haven't seen it, it is a film about a stereotypical “chav” (drop-out) called Eggsy, who hits rock bottom after stealing a car. Finally, he phones a number on a medal. Suddenly, he’s released from prison to be met by Harry Hart. Harry, whose
What If We Lose Everything?
I heard on the news about a man who spent his life building up three restaurants in New York City, and who could easily lose his business and everything he has because (except for take outs and deliveries) his restaurants have been shut down. Another casualty of the coronavirus pandemic. Sadly, this is not some rare exception. Many, personally, professionally, and economically, stand to lose everything they’ve sacrificed for, and built up, over a lifetime. Rich, middle class, and day
