April 26, 2024

Philippians 4:6 ~ Do Not Be Anxious

December 28, 2015 by

SeekingHimLogo

{This final week of 2015 we will be re-visiting some of my personal favorite themes on which our wonderful writers have shared with us throughout this past year.  I hope that you (as I was, too!) will be encouraged and reminded of God’s faithfulness and loving care through their inspired words.}

Do not be anxious or worried about anything,
but in everything [every circumstance and situation]
by prayer and petition with thanksgiving,
continue to make your [specific] requests known to God.
Philippians 4:6 AMP 

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

Here on the Seeking Him devotional blog, we have been focusing our thoughts for the past few weeks on giving thanks, gratitude, and being thankful.  This week our devotional writers have encouraged us to remember that it is possible to bring all our cares and concerns…and worries and anxieties…to God through prayers of thankfulness.  Please click on the indivdual links to read each complete devotional; here are a few excerpts from their thoughts.

In Worry versus Thankfulness, Clella gave us truth and promises to hold onto…

“These Scriptures in Philippians and 1 Timothy tell us to pray about everything-–every circumstance, every situation, every person in our life.  We are to tell God about everything we need (and even the things we perceive we need.)  Why? Because He cares about you (each of us.)

Give all your worries and cares to God,
for He cares about you.
1 Peter 5:7….”

❦

In Trust and Thank God, Tina asked a really good question…

“What are we saying to God when we choose to worry and fret over a situation? Are we saying we do not trust Him to care? Are we saying this situation is too small for You to handle, I do not want to bother you with it? Yes, my friend we are. Just as you would go to a friend, or mentor, or mom, and tell them what is going one, God wants us to go to Him and cast our problems and lay them down at His feet….”

❦

In Anxiety, Ann enumerated five different ways in which prayer is ‘the essential cure for worry’, and reminded us that…

“Therefore, I urge each one of us not to murmur and worry when we face the  adversaries of this life.  Take it to God in prayer.  He is the Author and Finisher of our faith.  And there is nothing hard for him.  All things are possible…”.

❦

In Thankful for the Blessing, Ahmee warned us of how easy path is to treat the Scriptures with a ‘mundane’ or familiar attitude…

“So, we are to tell God what we need (or want) and then we are to thank Him for what He has already done. I feel that we are told to do this, because it is to help us remember that God is faithful and has shown us that He is faithful, but to also keep us grateful for all the Lord has helped us with and provided for us, AND it’s to help us keep a thankful heart…”

❦

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This Week…Philippians 4:6

November 27, 2015 by

seekingHimthanksgivinggraphic

Do not be anxious or worried about anything,
but in everything [every circumstance and situation]
by prayer and petition with thanksgiving,
continue to make your [specific] requests known to God.
Philippians 4:6 AMP 

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

Here on the Seeking Him devotional blog, we have been focusing our thoughts for the past few weeks on giving thanks, gratitude, and being thankful.  This week our devotional writers have encouraged us to remember that it is possible to bring all our cares and concerns…and worries and anxieties…to God through prayers of thankfulness.  Please click on the indivdual links to read each complete devotional; here are a few excerpts from their thoughts….

In Worry versus Thankfulness, Clella gave us truth and promises to hold onto…

These Scriptures in Philippians and 1 Timothy tell us to pray about everything-–every circumstance, every situation, every person in our life.  We are to tell God about everything we need (and even the things we perceive we need.)  Why? Because He cares about you (each of us.)

Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.
1 Peter 5:7

❦

In Trust and Thank God, Tina asked a really good question…

What are we saying to God when we choose to worry and fret over a situation? Are we saying we do not trust Him to care? Are we saying this situation is too small for You to handle, I do not want to bother you with it? Yes, my friend we are. Just as you would go to a friend, or mentor, or mom, and tell them what is going one, God wants us to go to Him and cast our problems and lay them down at His feet.

❦

In Anxiety, Ann enumerated five different ways in which prayer is ‘the essential cure for worry’, and reminded us that…

“Therefore, I urge each one of us not to murmur and worry when we face the  adversaries of this life.  Take it to God in prayer.  He is the Author and Finisher of our faith.  And there is nothing hard for him.  All things are possible…”.

❦

In Thankful for the Blessing, Ahmee warned us of the easy path it is to treat the Scriptures with a ‘mundane’ or familiar attitude…

“So, we are to tell God what we need (or want) and then we are to thank Him for what He has already done. I feel that we are told to do this, because it is to help us remember that God is faithful and has shown us that He is faithful, but to also keep us grateful for all the Lord has helped us with and provided for us, AND it’s to help us keep a thankful heart…”.

 

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Trust and Thank God

November 26, 2015 by

seekingHimthanksgivinggraphic

Do not be anxious or worried about anything,
but in everything [every circumstance and situation]
by prayer and petition with thanksgiving,
continue to make your [specific] requests known to God.
Philippians 4:6 AMP 

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

What is worry? What are we saying to God when we choose to worry and fret over a situation? Are we saying we do not trust Him to care? Are we saying this situation is too small for You to handle, I do not want to bother you with it? Yes, my friend we are. Just as you would go to a friend, or mentor, or mom, and tell them what is going one, God wants us to go to Him and cast our problems and lay them down at His feet. We are to ask for wisdom, grace, and the ability to know when we should act or wait.

God loves us with a pure, holy heart. He knows our lives. He knows what makes us go, He knows what will break us, He knows what will make our heart soar! But do we, with all the clutter we allow in and do not push out? We only have to give it all to Jesus and God will shows us the way.

This is my prayer through song for you, please enjoy.  Give me Jesus!

In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise
Give me Jesus

Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
You can have all this world
Just give me Jesus

When I am alone
When I am alone
Oh, when I am alone
Give me Jesus

Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
You can have all this world
Just give me Jesus

Jesus
Give me Jesus

When I come to die
When I come to die
Oh, when I come to die
Give me Jesus

Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
You can have all this world
Just give me Jesus

Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
You can have all this world
You can have all this world
You can have all this world
Just give me Jesus

Jesus

written by Jeremy Camp

 

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Thankful For the Blessing

November 24, 2015 by

seekingHimthanksgivinggraphic

Don’t worry about anything;
instead, pray about everything.
Tell God what you need,
and thank Him for all He has done.
Philippians 4:6

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

You know those ever familiar verses in the Bible?  …This is one of them. It’s one of those verses that we can hear so many times that we just say it, read it and hear it, but it doesn’t really resonate in our hearts or minds.  It’s easy to do this with the familiar.  This is one of the reasons why I like to switch up between reading the New Testament and the Old Testament.  Another word for familiar can be mundane—just normal, something you expect, nothing special.

We have to be careful with these types of attitudes when it comes to the Word and when it comes to God.  You remember that car that you prayed and prayed for, and finally God blessed you just in time with the car you needed.  You know the one that you now complain about having to change the tires, change the oil, get a tune up on, and fill with gas; right?  It can be easy to forget that what you were given was first a large desire and then a blessing. Philippians 4:6 says, “…thank Him for all He has done.”  So, we are to tell God what we need (or want) and then we are to thank Him for what He has already done. I feel that we are told to do this, because it is to help us remember that God is faithful and has shown us that He is faithful, but to also keep us grateful for all the Lord has helped us with and provided for us, AND it’s to help us keep a thankful heart.  Our mindset is just so different when we are focused on being thankful.  The Lord knows the human mind oh-so-very-well.  He is just amazing!!!

When’s the last time you thanked God
for a blessing He brought you?

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Worry versus Thankfulness

November 23, 2015 by

seekingHimthanksgivinggraphic

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.
Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.
Philippians 4:6 NLT

Do not be anxious or worried about anything,
but in everything [every circumstance and situation]
by prayer and petition with thanksgiving,
continue to make your [specific] requests known to God.
Amplified Version

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

God does expect us to care about our lives (and about the lives of others).  But when that caring becomes filled with anxiety and fear, it is counterproductive and wrong.  Life presents us with many things to worry about—family, friends, relationships, jobs, finances…and on and on.  There’s no end to this list if we let ourselves go there.  However, God’s Word tells us to do something very different about all those things.  He tells us not to worry, not to be anxious about anything. That’s a tall order, but it is possible.  How?  God says, “Pray.”

I urge, then, first of all,
that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving
be made for all people.
1 Timothy 2:1

These Scriptures in Philippians and 1 Timothy tell us to pray about everything-–every circumstance, every situation, every person in our life.  We are to tell God about everything we need (and even the things we perceive we need.)  Why? Because He cares about you (each of us.)

Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.
1 Peter 5:7

That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—
whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear.
Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?
Matthew 6:25

When we pray, our focus is more on God and His mercy, grace, and provision. The more we pray, the more our mind is filled with Him.  It leaves less room for worry.

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You,
all whose thoughts are fixed on You!
Isaiah 26:3

How often do you start your prayers with “Thank You, God….”?  I know I do pretty often.  In spite of my needs at the moment, I have so much to thank God for that I can’t pray without saying, “Thank You.”  He gave me the gift of salvation many, many years ago.  God has protected my family and me over the years.  He has seen me through many trials, and supplied for my needs.  Because of His faithfulness in the past, I can trust Him to care for me now and in the future.  Even as I write this, I am compelled to stop and say “Thank You, Lord!”

During this Thanksgiving season, make it a point to “thank Him for all He has done,” (Philippians 4:6) for all He is doing, and for all that He will be doing in your life.  Then make it a way of life to thank Him daily.  When caring starts to turn into worry…stop and pray with thanksgiving…reminding yourself how much He has done for you, and how much He cares for you.  Prayer, petition, and thanksgiving will bring you closer to God and farther away from anxiety and worry.  That’s what we all want, right?

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Dear Lord God, as humans we are presented with things to worry about almost daily.  But You said, “Don’t!”  Instead of worrying, You said, “Pray!” And pray “…about everything!”  Lord, we need our hearts and our minds open to Your Holy Spirit to help us to pray without worry, and to pray with thanksgiving.  We have so much to be thankful for, and when we take time to be thankful our trust level goes up, and worry is pushed back.  That’s what we want, Lord.  Thank You for caring for us even beyond our comprehension.  May we grow in our trust that You will see us through the hard times.  You have done and are doing so much for us, thank You, thank You!  In Jesus’ Precious Name we pray, Amen.

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Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door

November 2, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

In my closet
A spot is worn from hours and hours upon my knees
I step inside
The quiet’s like a doorway to a world of peace

One thing I don’t worry ’bout
I can’t wear my welcome out

I keep knock, knock
Knockin’ on heaven’s door
I keep talk, talk
Talkin’ cause your answer, Lord

Won’t be stop, stop
Stoppin’ so be listening for me
I’m knock, knock
Knockin’ on heaven’s door

I’m not a poet
No, it’s not like me to speak in flowery words
Not a prophet
Not at least in these parts
That would be unheard of

But my heart speaks loud and clear
And since my prayers are answered here

Whisper what you’re feeling
Shout it at the ceiling
Nothing’s gonna fall on deaf ears
Ask Him for His mercy
Pray away your worries
What do you want heaven to hear
Bless the world around you
Pray His peace surrounds you
Thank Him for His favor
Simply praise the Savior

Avalon
Written by Grant Cunningham & Matt Huesmann

*   ~   ♥   ~    ✞    ~   ♥   ~   *

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.
Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all he has done.
Philippians 4:6 NLT

This verse is one of my life verses.  It was one of my grandmother’s favorites. It saw our youngest daughter through times of trouble in high school and she often included it in her email signature.  It is multiple life lessons wrapped up in one concise verse—applicable anytime, anywhere.  Prayer is a power tool in our toolbox of life.

I hold conversations with God throughout the day.  But, after seeing the movie “War Room”, I wondered if my prayers could be more—if I could be a prayer warrior like Miss Clara.  This song reminds us of three things we can do to make our prayers more fervent and earnest.  As I started searching for Scriptures on prayer I found the same 3 lessons.

Prayer requires Persistence, Participation, Privacy

Persistence
In Luke 11:9 (AMP) Jesus calls us to be persistent.

“So I say to you, Ask and keep on asking and it shall be given you;
seek and keep on seeking and you shall find;
knock and keep on knocking and the door shall be opened to you.”

Sometimes prayer isn’t a “one and done” kind of thing.  If we don’t get an answer, Jesus reminds us to keep asking until we do.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 AMP reiterates this – “be unceasing and persistent in prayer”.  Effective prayers require persistence.  So “keep knock, knock, knockin’ on heaven’s door…“.

Active Participation
Matthew 26:41 AMP tells us,

Keep actively watching and praying
that you may not come into temptation;
the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

We need to be aware when we pray, blocking out distractions. Have you ever been talking to someone and realized they were not giving you their full attention? Annoying, isn’t it? Imagine how God feels when we pray like that. 1 Timothy 2:8 AMP gives us instructions on how to be actively involved in our prayers.

Therefore I want the men in every place to pray,
lifting up holy hands, without anger and disputing
or quarreling or doubt [in their mind].

(As I read that verse an image of hands lifted in surrender, palms outstretched to God came to mind).  Exodus 9:29 NLT gives us an example of Moses doing this: ““As soon as I leave the city, I will lift(stretch out, spread out) my hands and pray to the Lord.”  Prayer requires active participation, mentally as well as physically.  So “keep knock, knock, knockin’ on heaven’s door...”

Privacy
Matthew 6:6 HCSB is a well known verse instructing us to pray in private:

But when you pray, go into your private room,
shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Continuing in verses 5 and 7 are additional reasons why we are to pray privately.

Whenever you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites,
because they love to pray standing in the synagogues
and on the street corners to be seen by people.
I assure you: They’ve got their reward!
When you pray, don’t babble like the idolaters,
since they imagine they’ll be heard for their many words.

Prayer isn’t for show or about maintaining a reputation.  Prayer is about communicating with God.  Job 16:17 NLT reminds us our prayers are to be pure. Exodus 8:29 and 9:29 say that Moses “went out” from the Pharaoh before praying. Numerous times Jesus prayed in private: “…He went off to the mountain to pray,” (Luke 6:12 NASB) and “… as He was alone praying, that His disciples joined Him,” (Luke 9:18 NKJV).

Praying privately keeps us focused on Who we are talking to and what we are praying about.  I want to have “…in my closet a spot is worn from hours and hours upon my knees“.  I want to be that kind of prayer warrior, don’t you?

Praying in private also gives us the opportunity to “hear” God’s reply.  And I don’t want to miss that.  So “keep talk, talk, talkin’ cause Your answer, Lord…”

Our prayers can bring us peace, intercede on the behalf of others, provide comfort, make our requests known and give us the chance to express our gratefulness to God.  I want my earnest, fervent prayers to “availeth much” (James 5:16 KJV).  To paraphrase Philippians 4:6…

Ask Him for His mercy
Pray away your worries
Bless the world around you
Pray His peace surrounds you
Thank Him for His favor
Simply praise the Savior

Because that is what prayer is really all about, isn’t it?

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Pray

July 10, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

I know that you think you can’t pray after that mistake
But I know it’s the only way you can make it better
And I know situations get too much for you to take
And you feel like you’re gone break and it makes you say

I can’t take it
When will things get better
I’m so frustrated, but it’s gonna be okay ’cause
Got Someone in your corner
Gonna be there for ya
Just fall on your knees, say a prayer and receive
When the world feels like it’s on your shoulders
(I pray, you pray, we pray)
When your life seems like its upside down
(I pray, you pray, we pray)
When your lonely nights are getting colder
(I pray, you pray, we pray)
I pray, you pray
(No matter how dark the day)
No matter how dark the day
(All you’ll have to do is pray)

I know you think you’ve gone too far and you waited too late
But I know that He loves you and there’s no love greater so
And I know that it’s hurting and you want your pain to end
And you feel like you can’t win and it makes you say

Our Father which art in Heaven
Hallowed be Thy name
All you gotta do is say
Our Father which art in Heaven
(No matter how dark the day)
No matter
(All you’ll have to do is pray)
When the world feels like it’s on your shoulders
(I pray, you pray, we pray)
When your life seems like its upside down
(I pray, you pray, we pray)
When your lonely nights are getting colder
(I pray, you pray, we pray)
I pray, you pray
(No matter how dark the day)
No matter how dark the day
(All you’ll have to do is pray)
No matter
Pray, pray

It’s gonna be okay
We’re gonna be okay
It’s gonna be alright, have faith
Everything will work out

CeCe Winans
written along with Mario Winans and Michael Jones
*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Do not be anxious about anything,
but in every situation,
by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6

Life is full of changes, situations, and circumstances that are out of our control. Life is full of unpredictable events and unpredictable people.  Through all of the changes and unknowns there is one constant that we can count on…and despite all that we cannot control, there is one thing we can control—our prayer life. We have the ability and power to turn to God at any time…any place.  As Philippians says, in every situation we are to pray.

I chose this song today because it reminds us that prayer is happy.  Although all songs about prayer are beautiful and touch the soul, many are geared more towards worship.  They have slower music and a softer tune which creates an atmosphere that helps us feel the words and feel closer to God.  This song, however, is more of a praise song.  The upbeat tempo and beat helps pull us from our feelings and situation at least for a time.  It is easy to feel down at times when we are dealing with life’s situations, but we don’t have to stay that way.

No matter how dark the day…. This song reminds me that despite what is going on around me, I can enjoy life. I can dance to the music I hear, I can laugh, I can smile.  Despite the things  I cannot change and cannot control, I can control how I react to it, and how I see my life.  Today I choose to pray.  I choose to dance.  I choose joy.  Join me in singing the words of this song, in feeling them in your heart and in living them each day—

in everything pray.

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Let’s pray:  Dear Heavenly Father, it is easy to get sucked into the feelings surrounding our life and our circumstances.  But today we choose to pray, to lay our lives at Your feet.  Your Word says to pray in every situation, large or small, no matter how dark the day, You will listen.  In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Don’t Complain…Instead Know That I Am God

July 6, 2015 by

SeekingHimLogo

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God;
He is the faithful God,
keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations
of those who love Him and keep His commands.
Deuteronomy 7:9

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

The context surrounding this verse is speaking to the Israelites about the Promised Land—the Promised Land that took the Israelites five books in the Bible to get to.  It isn’t until Joshua that we finally see these travelers enter into the promise of God. Many are familiar with the story of the Israelites.  I’ve heard it said that the journey they took should have only taken 11 days.  However, their journey took them 40 years.

How does one take an 11 day journey and turn it into a 40 year journey?  Simple.  With God it’s all about timing…His timing. Deuteronomy 7:9 starts off, “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God…”.  God decides when we are ready for something. But often how we choose to look at our circumstances effects how long something takes.  The Israelites complained and complained and complained.  {They loved to do them some complaining!}

  • Numbers 11:1a says, “Now the people complained about their hardships…”
  • Exodus 15:24a says, “So the people grumbled…”
  • Exodus 16:2a says, “In the desert the whole community grumbled…”
  • Exodus 17:2a says, “So they quarreled…”

From all the complaining they did, one would have never guessed that God would free them from captivity.  I mean, that’s kind of big!  I myself have never been physically enslaved, but I would imagine it’s a horrible predicament to be in. Yet, and still, they complained.

Here’s the deal: God doesn’t forget His promises.  Solomon said it this way,

…O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like You in heaven or on earth –
You who keep Your covenant of love with Your servants
who continue wholeheartedly in Your way.
2 Chronicles 6:14

We don’t need to complain.  We do it because it is an easy habit to start.  However, complaining focuses on the negative while praise focuses on the positive.  Anytime we choose to complain, we just as easily could have chosen to praise.  Praising isn’t overlooking the bad or just ignoring it.  It’s simply focusing on the better things in life.  Just like complaining is simply focusing on the ‘worser’ things in life.  God has done so many things for us, why not focus on those things rather than the things that are wrong.  And pray.  Philippians 4:6 says,

Do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything,
by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God.

Instead of the Israelites complaining about the fact that they had no water, they should have done as Moses did and prayed. Out of all of those people (a whole community), one person prayed.  One.  The nation had a negative focus.  God is faithful and follows through with His promises.

Trust Him.  
Do not complain, but pray.  
Then… wait.
And that doesn’t mean complain while you are waiting.
It means wait.

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Lord, help us to keep our eyes focused on You.  Let us not forget all the good that You have done for us.  I know that it is so easy to complain about the things that we don’t like in our lives or the things that are “wrong”, but this does not glorify You.  Why should we draw attention to the negative in our lives when drawing attention to You should be our number one goal? People aren’t going to be drawn to You by hearing about all we do not have…but rather hearing about all that You have done for us.  Thank You, Lord.

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The Warrior Is A Child

May 7, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Lately I’ve been winning battles left and right
But even winners can get wounded in the fight
People say that I’m amazing
Strong beyond my years
But they don’t see inside of me
I’m hiding all the tears

They don’t know that I go running home when I fall down
They don’t know Who picks me up when no one is around
I drop my sword and cry for just a while
‘Cause deep inside this armor
The warrior is a child

Unafraid because His armor is the best
But even soldiers need a quiet place to rest
People say that I’m amazing
Never face retreat
But they don’t see the enemies

‘Cause deep inside this armor
Deep inside this armor
Deep inside this armor
The warrior is a child

Twila Paris
written along with Gary Valenciano

  *   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Today, here in the United States, Christians nation-wide come together in unity without any concern for denomination to stand heart-to-heart before our God and intercede on our nation’s behalf.  Now, more than ever, we must daily put on the armor that God has provided.

This is why you must take up the full armor of God,
so that you may be able to resist in the evil day,
and having prepared everything, to take your stand.
Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist,
righteousness like armor on your chest,
and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace.
In every situation take the shield of faith,
and with it you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s word.
Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request,
and stay alert in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.

Ephesians 6:14-18

We are encouraged, in this passage, to put the Armor of God on each day.  We are reminded that the pieces of God’s armor are TRUTH, RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE, FAITH, and SALVATION—a strong foundation on which to take our stand.  And we see that, clothed with this Armor of God, we are equipped and enabled to stand, resisting all the tactics and wiles of the enemy.

Now, consider this…. We garb ourselves in this protective suit of armor.  We gather up our shield of faith.  We put on the helmet of salvation.  We take up the sword of the Spirit.  One would think that we are ready to go, right?  But then we are told to “pray at all times.”  Truly prayer is the final piece of the Armor of God—the item that links all the pieces together.  It reminds me of a football player…outfitted with all those pieces of his uniform (pads, helmet, cleats, etc.) that are designed to protect him…ready to head out of the locker room to battle his ‘enemy’—the other team.  And the coach says, ‘Take a knee.’

This final piece—prayer—is not a half-hearted whisper.  Rather, prayer is spoken with passion, with faith, with ‘strong purpose and perseverance.’  Prayer is uttered with humility and wholeheartedness to the One Who hears our prayers and answers our prayers.

So often when the Scriptures communicate to us on the matter of prayer, the words used are compelling.  As you read these next few verses see which words jump out at you.

Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything,
but in every circumstance and in everything,
by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving,
continue to make your wants known to God.
Philippians 4:6

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
Colossians 4:2

Rejoice and exult in hope;
be steadfast and patient in suffering and tribulation;
be constant in prayer.
Romans 12:12

Which words did you find grabbed your attention?  Were they words like, ‘every circumstance’ ‘steadfast’ ‘constant’ ‘everything’  and ‘watchful?’

So as you put on your armor, my sisters, never forget that the last piece—the prayer piece—is not put ON but rather put IN—into your heart!  Prayer is a truly important part of the equipping of a Jesus girl who desires to be a hero…a warrior.

  *   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

My prayer for you is that as you draw near to Your heavenly Father, seeking His guidance and direction, His help and protection, you would recognize how tenderly He looks on you…His daughter, His child, His warrior, His hero.  He loves you with an everlasting love, and He never EVER will leave you…You are His!

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Staying in the Presence

January 27, 2015 by

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Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow,
because tomorrow will worry about itself.
Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:34 HCSB

One of my favorite quotes is…
“Worry is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do,
but it doesn’t get you anywhere.”

We look at the past and worry about what has happened.  We look to the future and borrow trouble worrying about what will happen.  Neither is helpful…and neither gets us anywhere.

How many times have you heard the phrase “One day at a time…”? Hundreds, maybe even thousands?  It sounds trite but it is exactly what we need to do—take one day at a time.  But HOW do we do that?  By staying in His Presence. Philippians 4:6 gives us the best advice and provides step-by-step instructions for staying in His Presence.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.
Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.

When we quit worrying—and instead—tell God everything, we shift our burdens to Him.  Psalm 55:22 (NLT) reminds us to “Give your burdens to the Lord, and He will take care of you.”  He will take care of us.  He is in control.  All we need to do is ask.  That is where telling Him what we need comes in.  John 11:22 (AMP) says “And even now I know that whatever You ask from God, He will grant it to You.” (BTW – God already knows what we need, but He likes to hear us ask.  It opens a conversation with Him.)

As we begin to thank God for all He has done, it causes us to reflect back on our life.  Psalm 77:11 (NLT) encourages us to recall what He has done and remember the miracles He has performed in our lives.

But then I recall all You have done, O Lord;
I remember Your wonderful deeds of long ago.

In reflection, we can see all the times God has been there for us…we see His mighty hand at work…we recall His great grace, His faithfulness, and His unending love.  Then we know with assurance Who holds our future.

Psalm 85:9a (AMP) states “Surely His salvation is near to those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him….”  When we remain in His Presence, we have no need to worry.  He knows the plans He has for us…plans that give us hope (Jeremiah 29:11).  So let’s stop the worry and enjoy this day in His Presence.

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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