April 20, 2024

Rejoice, Pray, Give Thanks, Repeat

November 16, 2014 by

seekingHimthanksgivinggraphic

Rejoice always!
Pray constantly.
Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 HCSB

You know that feeling you get when you look at a Scripture passage and think “I already know this stuff!” and then God gives you a head slap and says ”Oh, yeah? Check this out!”…?

Yep, just happened to me.

This passage is one of the staples of Christian life.  We learn it at a young age.  It gets used in the hard times.  We offer it to others in times of distress.  It becomes a platitude and we cease to think about what it really means.

I have always looked at this passage as three separate verses— three different directives.  But today God showed me these are a cycle…meant be used together as stepping-stones.

Rejoice always

How on earth are we supposed to always have joy?  There are so many things to worry about or deal with.  Philippians 4:6 (NLT) gives us a clue:

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

Only through prayer are we able to rejoice always. As Charles Spurgeon puts it “The more praying, the more rejoicing.”  Joy is not based on our circumstances or emotions.  Circumstances and emotions change as quickly as the weather.  But God doesn’t!

Pray constantly

And just how are we supposed to do that?  Praying doesn’t mean we have to use our voice, be on our knees, or bow our heads.  Anytime is the right time for prayer.  Think of prayer as having an ongoing conversation with your best friend.  Prayer can change our perspective.  Things we see as trials or struggles may actually be bigger blessings in disguise.  Prayer gives God the opportunity to help us see life from His perspective. Colossians 4:2 (NASB) tells us:

Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.

Prayer helps us to have an ‘attitude of gratitude.‘

 Give thanks in everything

Notice it doesn’t say FOR everything or in SOME things.  We don’t get to pick and choose what suits us.  We are to be thankful in everything.  I love this quote by Charles Spurgeon: “When joy and prayer are married, their firstborn child is gratitude.”

You may be thinking, “Well, this just takes the cake! How am I supposed to do all this?” Hebrews 13:15 (AMP) holds the key:

Through Him, therefore, let us constantly and at all times
offer up to God a sacrifice of praise,
which is the fruit of lips
that thankfully acknowledge and confess and glorify His name.

Through Jesus we are able to do this. It is not we MUST do it because it is God’s will for us; it is we CAN do it because it is God’s will for us. That one little shift in perspective changes everything. It is cycle…a circle of behavior…that never ends.

Prayer changes our perspective and helps us find joy.  ➛
➛ Joy causes us to rejoice . ➛
➛ Rejoicing makes us thankful. ➛
➛ When we are thankful we offer up prayer and praise.  ➛
➛ Praying reveals and restores our joy…and round and round we go!

Now that is one endless circle I don’t mind being a part of!

  *   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~   ♥   ~   *

Lord, thank You for revealing this passage to me in a new light.  Thank You helping me to see each part is a stepping-stone pointing the way to the next step.  I rejoice in You, for You have made me glad.  In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen – it is so!

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ChristLife: Prayer Warrior

January 18, 2014 by

saturdayprayersandpraisesshortAnd pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.
With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Ephesians 6:18

This verse is given at the end of a passage of Scripture that we all know and love—the putting on of the Armor of God. Whenever I read through these verses I am so strongly reminded of the provision of God. After all, it is His Armor…not mine. I just take it and put it on. The Scriptures tell us that this Armor is TRUTH, RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE, FAITH, and SALVATION—a strong foundation on which to take a stand. And then, clothed with this Armor of God, we are equipped and enabled to stand.  Then we are told to pray.

This final piece of the Armor of God—prayer—is not the half-hearted whispering of a prayer. But rather it is prayer spoken with passion, with faith, with ‘strong purpose and perseverance.’ It is prayer uttered with humble wholeheartedness to the One Who hears our prayers and answers. It is prayer with faith and believing, with expectation and trust.

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. (Hint: they are NOT the words outlined in red!)

Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything,
but in every circumstance and in everything,
by prayer and petition, 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 grabbing your attention…were they words like, ‘steadfast’ and ‘constant’ and ‘everything’ and ‘watchful?’  Yes, these are the attitudes of prayer…the mindset of a prayer warrior.  This is how we prepare our hearts so that we can take on the ministry of prayer and intercession.  And we remember to do so guarded with LOVE, with GRACE, and with MERCY.

But you, beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy faith,
praying in the Holy Spirit; Guard and keep yourselves
in the love of God; expect and patiently wait for the mercy of
our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)—[which will bring you] unto life eternal.
Jude verses 20-22

So put on the Armor that God has provided for you, my sisters!  Never forget that the final piece of the Armor—the prayer piece—is not put ON but rather put IN…into your heart!  Prayer is a vitally important part of the equipping of a woman who desires to be a prayer warrior.  Never doubt that you CAN do this.  Don’t let lies get placed into your heart. God has equipped you; you are enabled. And there is much praying to be done for ‘all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying….’

 

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Stay in Control and Conquer Anxiety

December 11, 2013 by

You have been doing well by eating healthy and exercising.  You feel good about yourself because you are in control and know what to eat and then……. THE PARTY! Now what do you do?  The feelings of control have now been replaced with fear and a sense of powerlessness.  You wonder if you will have the will have the will power to stay in control overcome this anxiety.

To make things worse, it’s not just one party, but its party after party. The holidays are not just two days, but six weeks of continual celebrations that, of course, bring lots of treats and goodies to eat. There is the office and family party for you and your spouse, the church function and festivities for each child.  Then at the last minute, a group of girlfriends decide you need to go out after work for a gift exchange. To feel confident, determine your party eating  strategy.

Knowing how to handle these situations can be crucial in maintaining your weight and avoiding the average weight gain of five pounds during the holiday season.  There are so many tips and strategies to avoid the holiday weight gain, but I have found two that may be the most helpful. To stay in control and not let the stress of all the food get the best of you, I have two simple strategies.

1. Use a Small Plate     

The number one rule, in my book, when attending a party with a buffet is to pick a small plate. A smaller plate means less food. Choose the dessert plate to use for your main course and only fill it once.

2. Fill Your Plate Wisely   

Second to fill that plate wisely, choose only the things that are important to you. There are certain desserts and dishes that are my favorites and only get during Christmas or special occasions.  I am not going to waste my calories and take up room on that small plate with items that are available to me at any time. 

Right now you are busy planning all of your holiday gifts and festivities; make a plan that will enable you to have control of your eating.  Don’t worry. You can be just as successful maintaining your weight as you are with everything else in your life.  You can stay in control and conquer anxiety.

 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication

 with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Philippians 4:6

In Good Health, family 2012

Crystal

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Prayer is the Final Piece

April 13, 2013 by

Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by the strength of His might.
Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil.
For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities,
against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.
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 6:10-18

In our current study of Lisa Bevere’s book, Girls With Swords haven’t we SO loved looking at this encouraging section in the Scriptures?!?  We have considered the various pieces of the Armor of God.  We have been encouraged to put them on each morning as we prepare for our day. We have been reminded that they are TRUTH, RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE, FAITH, and SALVATION—a strong foundation on which to take our stand.  We have seen 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 take up the sword of the spirit.  And then we are told “pray.”  One would think that we are ready to go, right?  But truly prayer is the final piece, 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, 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 the half-hearted whispering of a prayer.  But rather it is prayer spoken with passion, with faith, with ‘strong purpose and perseverance.’  It is prayer uttered with humble wholeheartedness to the One Who hears our prayers and answers.

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.  (Clue: they are NOT the words marked in red!)

Philippians 4:6
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.

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

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

Which words did you find grabbing your attention…were they words like, ‘steadfast’ and ‘constant’ and ‘everything’ and ‘watchful?’

prayer

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 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!

Praying for each of you!

♥ coleen

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If you would like to send a personal message to Coleen, you may email her at: Coleen@girlfriendscoffeehour.com, or leave a comment below.

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