Dear Sisters,
Happy Monday! I hope that you’re all doing well and enjoying Spring. The changing of the seasons are remembrances of God’s faithfulness and care: As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease (Genesis 8:22).
Have a wonderful week remembering the wonders of God!
REMEMBER
Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced. 1 Chronicles 16:11-12
Awhile back, a dear sister in Christ gifted me a Willow Tree Angel: Angels Embrace. It’s a beautiful sculpture of an angel embracing a small child. This friend gave it to me as a reminder of her prayers when a little foster son whom our family loved as our own was court-ordered to his mother after living with us for a year and a half.
The sculpture is a “remembrance” item for me. It’s displayed in my prayer closet (aka bedroom!) on the table by my Bible and prayer journal. It’s a tangible reminder of God’s constant love and care for this little one and a symbol of the daily prayers that are said on his behalf.
Reading through the book of Numbers, “remembrance” items are nothing new. God put them in place for His people frequently!
Tassels on the corners of their garments were to serve as a remembrance to obey all the commands of the LORD (Numbers 15:37-41).
The censers that were taken out of the smoldering remains of Korah and his men’s rebellion against the Lord were hammered into sheets to overlay the altar as a remembrance that no one except a descendant of Aaron should come to burn incense before the LORD (Numbers 16:31-40).
Aaron’s staff that budded, blossomed, and produced almonds served as a remembrance to the rebellious to put an end to their grumbling against God (Numbers 17:1-10).
Remembrances are small things that carry a big message. Whether it’s a Willow Tree Angel, adding photos to your prayer journal, wearing a prayer bracelet, or placing some other small, but meaningful item in your prayer closet, kitchen, or office, they can serve as prayer prompters. When you see them, let it serve as a reminder to look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always (1 Chronicles 16:11). Use these items to help you remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced (1 Chronicles 16:11-12).
The word “remember” is found 161 times in the New International Version of the Bible. With a thankful heart, remember, commemorate, consider, and bring to remembrance petitions for yourself and others, and thanksgiving for the ways He’s answered prayer.
Prayer Step: Do you find yourself forgetting to talk to God about prayer requests that have come your way? Use prayer prompters to help you remember!
It is not wrong to have reminders that point us to God, provided they don’t replace God or His Word. We are to “seek those things which are above” (Colossians 3:1). Warren W. Wiersbe
Grace and peace,
Lenae
A connecting place for British Columbia GEMS counselors and club coordinators. . .
Monday, March 22, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
Pray Earnestly
Dear Sisters,
Good morning! What an amazing (and very muddy!) process to watch the winter snow be washed away by spring rains. Seems like our world is always in some kind of beautiful transition from one season to the next. And isn’t that also the way it should be with our hearts? We should always be transforming – becoming more and more holy and pleasing to God (Romans 12:1-2).
Have a wonderful week of transformation!
PRAY EARNESTLY
Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. James 5:17
The Bible is packed with the prayers of men and women who prayed earnestly to God.
Nehemiah prayed earnestly (Nehemiah 1:5-11). The cupbearer to the king mourned, fasted, and prayed that God would give him favor before King Artaxerxes so he could return to Jerusalem and rebuild its broken down walls and gates. God answered Nehemiah’s prayer and he stayed in Jerusalem twelve years to help rebuild.
Queen Esther prayed earnestly (Esther 4:16). She called all of the Jews in Susa to join her in fasting and praying for three days and three nights before she went before the king to plead for the deliverance of her people. God answered those prayers by showing Esther favor before the king. The king gave permission to have another decree written to offset the one that vile Haman originally put in place to destroy the Jews.
Hannah prayed earnestly (1 Samuel 1:9-20). She poured out her soul to the LORD out of her great anguish and grief in being childless. God answered Hannah’s prayer by remembering her. In the course of time Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I asked the LORD for him” (1 Samuel 1:20).
Solomon prayed earnestly (1 Kings 3:7-9). When he became king, he prayed for a discerning heart to govern God’s people and to distinguish between right and wrong. God answered that prayer by giving him wisdom that was beyond what anyone ever had or will ever have (1 Kings 3:12).
Elijah prayed earnestly (1 Kings 18:36-38). He prayed that God would answer by fire on the water-saturated altar so that God’s people would turn their hearts back to Him again. God answered that prayer by sending fire that burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, the soil, and the water in the trench. The people cried, “The LORD – he is God! The LORD – He is God (1 Kings 18:38-39)!
We may be tempted to think that only the spiritual “giants” get their prayers answered in such dramatic ways, but the truth is, these are men and women just like us (James 5:17).
In his book, Forgotten God – Reversing our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit, Francis Chan writes, “Let’s stop looking at the godly men and women in Scripture as through their prayer lives are unattainable! Pray fervently, knowing that Peter and Paul and Mary and Ruth were men and women ‘with a nature like ours’” (James 5:17).
Prayer Step: Pray earnestly to the same God who answered the prayers of Nehemiah, Esther, Hannah, Solomon, Elijah . . .
You must pray with all your might. It means fervent, effectual, untiring wrestling with God. William Booth
Grace and peace,
Lenae
Good morning! What an amazing (and very muddy!) process to watch the winter snow be washed away by spring rains. Seems like our world is always in some kind of beautiful transition from one season to the next. And isn’t that also the way it should be with our hearts? We should always be transforming – becoming more and more holy and pleasing to God (Romans 12:1-2).
Have a wonderful week of transformation!
PRAY EARNESTLY
Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. James 5:17
The Bible is packed with the prayers of men and women who prayed earnestly to God.
Nehemiah prayed earnestly (Nehemiah 1:5-11). The cupbearer to the king mourned, fasted, and prayed that God would give him favor before King Artaxerxes so he could return to Jerusalem and rebuild its broken down walls and gates. God answered Nehemiah’s prayer and he stayed in Jerusalem twelve years to help rebuild.
Queen Esther prayed earnestly (Esther 4:16). She called all of the Jews in Susa to join her in fasting and praying for three days and three nights before she went before the king to plead for the deliverance of her people. God answered those prayers by showing Esther favor before the king. The king gave permission to have another decree written to offset the one that vile Haman originally put in place to destroy the Jews.
Hannah prayed earnestly (1 Samuel 1:9-20). She poured out her soul to the LORD out of her great anguish and grief in being childless. God answered Hannah’s prayer by remembering her. In the course of time Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I asked the LORD for him” (1 Samuel 1:20).
Solomon prayed earnestly (1 Kings 3:7-9). When he became king, he prayed for a discerning heart to govern God’s people and to distinguish between right and wrong. God answered that prayer by giving him wisdom that was beyond what anyone ever had or will ever have (1 Kings 3:12).
Elijah prayed earnestly (1 Kings 18:36-38). He prayed that God would answer by fire on the water-saturated altar so that God’s people would turn their hearts back to Him again. God answered that prayer by sending fire that burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, the soil, and the water in the trench. The people cried, “The LORD – he is God! The LORD – He is God (1 Kings 18:38-39)!
We may be tempted to think that only the spiritual “giants” get their prayers answered in such dramatic ways, but the truth is, these are men and women just like us (James 5:17).
In his book, Forgotten God – Reversing our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit, Francis Chan writes, “Let’s stop looking at the godly men and women in Scripture as through their prayer lives are unattainable! Pray fervently, knowing that Peter and Paul and Mary and Ruth were men and women ‘with a nature like ours’” (James 5:17).
Prayer Step: Pray earnestly to the same God who answered the prayers of Nehemiah, Esther, Hannah, Solomon, Elijah . . .
You must pray with all your might. It means fervent, effectual, untiring wrestling with God. William Booth
Grace and peace,
Lenae
Monday, March 1, 2010
Persevere in Prayer
Dear Sisters,
Happy March! What joy to see the first day of spring on this month’s calendar! Spring paints such a beautiful picture of hope for the future as trees and plants bud and flower. It even has a fresh scent that smells like hope! Whether you’re longing for spring temps or His spring rains on dry and weary hearts, look to the God of hope. Rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us (Romans 5:2-5).
Praying that you have a hope-filled week!
PERSEVERE IN PRAYER
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12
Job was a real person, in a real place, with real problems. Within a day, his oxen and donkeys were carried off by the Sabeans and the servants who cared for them were put to the sword, his sheep and the servants that cared for them were burned by fire, his camels and the servants who were with them were raided by the Chaldeans, and his children died when a house collapsed on top of them (Job 1:14-19). Job was also afflicted with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the top of his head, and distressed by a foolish wife who told him to “Curse God and die” (Job 2:7-9).
Although Job did not turn away from God, he did do battle with hopelessness. Sometimes his hope was rooted in solid ground: Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face (Job 13:15). Sometimes it felt like hope had been yanked out of his life by the roots: He tears me down on every side till I am gone: he uproots my hope like a tree (Job 19:10). He even said trees were better off than people: At least there is hope for a tree: If it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its new shoots will not fail (Job 14:7).
There were moments when Job expressed hope that God would acquit him after death: If a man dies, will he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait for my renewal to come (Job 14:14). And there were times when Job’s hope was diminished and all he could see in his future was death and decay: My spirit is broken, my days are cut short, the grave awaits me. If the only home I hope for is the grave . . . where then is my hope? Who can see any hope for me (Job 17:1, 13, 15)?
Today, maybe your hope feels like it’s been yanked by the roots, and your prayers . . . well, you’re not even able to pray anymore. Think on these prayer lessons from Job’s life:
1. Persevere in prayer. Job persevered in prayer asking God to give him the desires of his heart: Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant what I hope for (Job 6:8).
2. God is at work in our everyday events and in the people around us (Oswald Chambers). Whether we see it or not, God blesses those who persevere. We consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about (James 5:11).
3. Put your hope in God. Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him (Job 13:15a). Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and My God (Psalm 43:5).
Prayer Step: Pray that your perseverance will be inspired by hope in Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 1:3).
Bear up the hands that hang down, by faith and prayer; support the tottering knees. Have you any days of fasting and prayer? Storm the throne of grace and persevere therein, and mercy will come down. John Wesley
Grace and peace,
Lenae
Happy March! What joy to see the first day of spring on this month’s calendar! Spring paints such a beautiful picture of hope for the future as trees and plants bud and flower. It even has a fresh scent that smells like hope! Whether you’re longing for spring temps or His spring rains on dry and weary hearts, look to the God of hope. Rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us (Romans 5:2-5).
Praying that you have a hope-filled week!
PERSEVERE IN PRAYER
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12
Job was a real person, in a real place, with real problems. Within a day, his oxen and donkeys were carried off by the Sabeans and the servants who cared for them were put to the sword, his sheep and the servants that cared for them were burned by fire, his camels and the servants who were with them were raided by the Chaldeans, and his children died when a house collapsed on top of them (Job 1:14-19). Job was also afflicted with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the top of his head, and distressed by a foolish wife who told him to “Curse God and die” (Job 2:7-9).
Although Job did not turn away from God, he did do battle with hopelessness. Sometimes his hope was rooted in solid ground: Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face (Job 13:15). Sometimes it felt like hope had been yanked out of his life by the roots: He tears me down on every side till I am gone: he uproots my hope like a tree (Job 19:10). He even said trees were better off than people: At least there is hope for a tree: If it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its new shoots will not fail (Job 14:7).
There were moments when Job expressed hope that God would acquit him after death: If a man dies, will he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait for my renewal to come (Job 14:14). And there were times when Job’s hope was diminished and all he could see in his future was death and decay: My spirit is broken, my days are cut short, the grave awaits me. If the only home I hope for is the grave . . . where then is my hope? Who can see any hope for me (Job 17:1, 13, 15)?
Today, maybe your hope feels like it’s been yanked by the roots, and your prayers . . . well, you’re not even able to pray anymore. Think on these prayer lessons from Job’s life:
1. Persevere in prayer. Job persevered in prayer asking God to give him the desires of his heart: Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant what I hope for (Job 6:8).
2. God is at work in our everyday events and in the people around us (Oswald Chambers). Whether we see it or not, God blesses those who persevere. We consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about (James 5:11).
3. Put your hope in God. Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him (Job 13:15a). Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and My God (Psalm 43:5).
Prayer Step: Pray that your perseverance will be inspired by hope in Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 1:3).
Bear up the hands that hang down, by faith and prayer; support the tottering knees. Have you any days of fasting and prayer? Storm the throne of grace and persevere therein, and mercy will come down. John Wesley
Grace and peace,
Lenae
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