video-It’s Good for Your Character

By Laura MacCorkle 


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1/2 Hour of God's Power by Scott Ralls 09/09/19

How to Talk to God: What Does the Bible Say about Prayer?

By Meg Bucher

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” -1 John 5:14

Human beings are relational. Created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27), our Father desires a personal relationship with us. (John 3:16) The all-transcending, omnipotently sovereign God (Isaiah 46:9) is incredibly personal. He is aware, present, and compassionately involved in every detail of who we are. (Psalm 18:30; 116:5) God does not require us to grow into a different version of ourselves in order to gain access to Him. (Micah 7:18-19) He is here . . . now. (Joshua 1:8-9); He hears us when we speak, especially to Him. (1 John 5:14) He faithfully holds true to His promise to be close to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18) and to love us unfailingly. (2 Peter 3:9)

God desires our communication with Him. The biggest stretch of our faith is perhaps the inaudible moving of our God. Present-day people claim to hear from God via dreams. He probably isn’t going to light a shrub on fire in our front yards to get our attention as He did through Moses and the burning bush. Yet, because of Jesus, His presence is no less palpable. How do we ignite conversation with our Almighty God? Through prayer. Because of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, we can talk to God and He back to us. Prayer teaches us how.

Is Talking to God the Same as Praying?

Prayer runs alongside worship in regard to the different ways in which we express our faith. Carefully memorized prayers repeated religiously, journaled thoughts, silent sacred moments with God, and hearts poured out through song all grab God’s attention. Our Father’s focus is on the content of the conversation more so than the delivery.

The invisible presence of our all-present God fuels the radical part of our faith. Talking to Him in the car, out on a run, in a church sanctuary or Bible study full of heads bowed. We can talk to God anywhere, anytime. In the real and raw life moments that leave us speechless, the gift of salvation flexes its most important muscle: The Holy Spirit.

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.” -Romans 8:26-27

What Does the Bible Say about Speaking to God?

Scripture is riddled with verses about prayer and verses instructing us how to pray. Jesus, Himself, gave us the greatest lesson on prayer in Matthew 6:9-13. A prayer that we have prayed in the English language for five hundred years.

“Pray then like this:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.”

In a desiringGod.org article, John Piper stated: “Jesus is teaching us how to pray to our Father -not to God in general, but to God as our Father.” In his study of these prayerful verses in Scripture, Piper further explained the definition of hallowed: “We regard him as holy, see him as holy, sense him as holy, stand in awe of him as holy.”He also reminds us it’s essential to feel reverence toward God beyond regarding it as fact. “The devil sees it,” Piper explained, “…the demon said to Jesus, ‘I know who you are- the Holy One of God’" (Mark 1:24).

Many biblical heroes prayed God’s will over their own. As Jesus faced the cross, He prayed for God to take it away — but then sealed His heart’s intentions with, “but your will be done.” The Book of Proverbs, written by the great and wise King Solomon, says the root of all wisdom is fear of the Lord. (Proverbs 1:7) Authentic prayer begins with a heart reverently devoted to God. The Holy Spirit searches our hearts and knows its intentions and motivations. Regularly watering our hearts in God’s Word fosters genuine prayer. When we submit our lives into His sovereign hands, we can confidently pray, “Your will be done,” just as Jesus taught.

3 Ways to Communicate with God
 

1. Talking to God through Prayer
There are many methods and acronyms to help guide us in how to pray, one of the most popular being A.C.T.S: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication. Adoration sets our hearts right, giving praise to God for who He is. Confession expresses what Christ accomplished. Through salvation, our confessed sins are forgiven (1 John 1:9). Thanksgiving moves our hearts toward a state of gratefulness (As we grow with Christ even our trials begin to make it onto to this list). Supplication represents our prayer requests for help, healing, blessing, and beyond. Click here for 6 steps of prayer that Jesus teaches us in the example of the Lord’s prayer.

2. Talking to God through Journaling
A.C.T.S. can also be helpful when journaling to God. Create a space dedicated to having quiet times with God. I, myself, use this method of prayer because, without an intent to stay focused, my mind drifts into my to-do list for the day. In fact, I keep a piece of paper next to my journal to jot down things that pop up to distract me. I write them down and then put it aside to return my focus to prayer.

Couple prayer journaling with daily devotional readings of Scripture to complete the conversation. God’s Word pops up applicably to address our prayer concerns. Sometimes immediately, others over time. Those breakthrough moments are the incredible miracles that cement our faith and cause us to crave more time with Him.

3. Talking to God in Spontaneous Prayer
Megan Hill wisely addressed spontaneous prayer in her article, “Why Spontaneous Prayer and Planned Prayer are Both Important: “We need spontaneous prayer because we are dependent every moment on the Lord, and we are together dependent on him. Praying about something right in the moment reminds us of that very dependence.” Scripture encourages us to “pray about everything” (Philippians 4:6-7). Though it’s important to devote a part of our day to the Lord in prayer, we are wise to carry our conversation with Him all throughout it. For a prayer to jumpstart your prayer life, click here.

Can God Speak to My Dreams?
 

“In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.” -Acts 2:17

Yes, God can speak to us in our dreams. He can do anything! He is our Creator, our Father, and our omnipotent and sovereign God. We know it’s possible because of first-hand accounts shared over time and biblical stories that reflect the power of God’s movement in our dreams. He protected Jesus from death after birth through a dream:

“When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. ‘Get up,’ he said, ‘take the child and his mother and escape Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him’" (Matthew 2:13). God’s ways are higher, and His timing is perfect.

“Dreams are simply night visions. And night or day, visions are one way God speaks to us.” Job reminds us: “For God does speak- now one way, now another- though no one perceives it. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they slumber in their beds, he may speak in their ears and terrify them with warnings, to turn them from wrongdoing and keep them from pride, to preserve them from the pit, their lives from perishing by the sword.” -Job 33:14-18

For more verses about dreams, click here.

How to Hear from God & How to Listen to God
 

• Does God speak to us directly? Yes. If we are willing and humbled to listen, we will hear directly from God. We may not experience the audible voice of God or experience a message delivered during a dream, but He is always evident in creation, His Word, answered prayers, and experienced miracles.

• How does God speak to us? God speaks to us through our lives. To hear God, we must be tuned into the right frequency, the proper state of our hearts. Our hearts become hallowed before Him as we seek Him daily in His Word.

• How does God's Word speak to us? God’s Word is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12). The Holy Spirit translates our prayers to God and reveals our breakthroughs via God’s Word, creation, and character. When we strain to see beyond our way and how we feel God should answer our prayers, we become open to His good, perfect, and just will. We begin to trust Him to defend us, guide us, and love us because of who He is.

• How can we discern God's voice? The Bible says we will find Him when we seek Him with all of our heart. The prophet Jeremiah, who spoke that verse in chapter 29:13, reached out to a people far from God and running farther. He wept for His people and begged them to listen, but they turned away from his warnings, God’s word, and toward their consequential destruction. When we seek God in His Word, we start to yearn for more than what we want to hear.
   

6 Bible Verses about Talking to God and Hearing from God
 

• “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people.” -Ephesians 1:18

• “You will pray to him, and he will hear you, and you will fulfill your vows.” -Job 22:27

• “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” -Mark 11:24

• “I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.” -Psalm 17:6

• “He will respond to the prayer of the destitute; he will not despise their plea.” -Psalm 102:17

• “Then you will come and pray to me, and I will listen.” -Jeremiah 29:12

For more verses about prayer, click here.

Prayer is a gift. We no longer have to go through religious motions to have an audience with the One True God. Jesus’ obedience to God’s will in dying on the cross forever cemented our opportunity to have a personal relationship with God through the acceptance of Him. Perhaps, you wish to know more about who He is and want to experience prayerful conversation with God through His creation, His miracles, and His Word. Click here for examples of salvation prayers or pray the following:

Father God,
Today we praise You for Your sovereignty, Your omnipotence, and Your abounding Love. We stand in awe, hallowed by Your name. Thank You for Jesus Christ, Your Son, who came to earth and walked where we walk. He felt what we feel. He chose death on a cross in order to save us. To save me. Forgive me for my sins, Father. Restore my heart to mirror Yours. Refine my mind and body and soul to align with Your will and purpose for my life. Bless each step of my life from here to move forward toward You as I follow Jesus for the rest of my days. I believe in You. I accept Christ’s sacrifice on my behalf, and I pray, today, to know you and seek you with all of my heart.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

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What Does the Bible Say about Being 'Not of this World?'

• Hope Bolinger

As Christians, we can often hear the phrase, “Be in this world, not of it.”

Although that phrase gets tossed around a lot in church circles, at youth group, and small groups, we don’t often pause long enough to discuss the meaning behind this saying.

This article will dive into the basic meaning of the phrase, what verses contribute to this saying, and what it can look like practically to be ‘in the world but not of it.’

What is the meaning of the phrase ‘not of this world?’

Because God has set us apart as His people, this makes us different from others in the world around us who do not know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Some differences that we may exercise are:

• A difference in belief about how the world works. For instance, we may believe God created the world (Genesis 1:1), but a person who does not believe in Christianity may not.
   
• A difference in behavior. For instance, the world may encourage people to sleep with anyone they love outside of the boundaries of marriage, but as Christians, we believe Christians should exercise sexual relationships within marriage (1 Corinthians 7:8-9).

Similar to the Israelites during the Old Testament, God has called us to a higher standard than everyone else around us. Although He has placed us in the world, we are not of it in the sense that we do not practice or engage with the same things the world around us does.

Where in the Bible does it say ‘not of this world?’

The ‘not of this world’ part comes from John 18:36, where Jesus claims His kingdom is ‘not of this world.’

John 15:19 calls Christians out of this world, as it says: If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.

John 17:14 claims the world will hate Christians because they are ‘not of the world.’

In many other passages in the New Testament, believers are referred to as aliens, pilgrims, and sojourners. This means, we will stand out from the crowd.

1 John 2:15 tells us not to love things in the world. Multiple parables Jesus preached had warned against storing treasure or casting great value on anything the world has to offer, as moth and dust will destroy them in the long run.

Although we may be part of the same country or work in the same office as someone else, we will always stick out.

What world are believers to be ‘of?’

Only two kingdoms truly exist, the kingdom of this world ruled by the prince of this world, and God’s kingdom (John 18:33-37). These two kingdoms battle constantly and will continue to do so until the end of time.

No matter what groups we’re are a part of in this world, we have to remember that we are also a part of a greater kingdom. Our status as citizens of the kingdom of heaven will lead to broken friendships, loss of opportunities or jobs, and danger down the road as we approach the End Times.

We do have to keep in mind living ‘in but not of’ does not mean hiding away from dangerous powers, like a group in the New Testament times known as the Essenes had.

Many heroes in the Old and New Testament continued to obey God’s commands whilst being in the midst of lifestyles far from perfect.

For instance, Daniel, an Israelite captive in Babylon, lived in one of the most corrupt cities in the world at the time. Nevertheless, he excelled in his Babylonian education, in his occupation within the palace, and never disobeyed God’s commands once.

What does it look like to live ‘not of this world’ practically?

How do we live in the world—without hiding away—but still not be of it?

Where we draw the line can sometimes differ amongst Christians. Questions like, “Should I attend a gay wedding of one of my relatives?” or “What television shows and movies should I or should I not watch?” can differ in answers depending on one’s upbringing, or one’s likelihood to fall into temptation with certain activities. Humor the world may find funny may make us uncomfortable.

To live in, but not of, the world, we abstain from activities that are encouraged but reap personal and social consequences.

Although this article can’t offer a clear-cut answer for every case, consider implementing the following criteria:

• Will it cause me to stumble or sin? For instance, some Christians may have no issues with grabbing a drink with coworkers after a long shift. But others may struggle with alcoholic consumption and may have to turn down the offer because they will have an impeded judgment under the influence.
   
• Does it offer a way to bring God glory or to think of things from above? Some Christians struggle with what they can watch for entertainment. Many families may go as far as to cut television completely out of their lives. But others may want to engage in some forms of art of entertainment to get them to think more about the kingdom of above. One way we can be in the world but not of it is to analyze what we put into our minds based on this criterion.
   
• What areas do I have to compromise to grow closer to Christ? This may look like taking a fast from social media or avoiding gossip around the watercooler.

Often, being in the world but not of it means we have to make those difficult choices that will isolate us or make us stick out like a sore thumb.

Whenever this happens, take heart. We are foreigners in a foreign land, and our true home rests in heaven. For the time being, in this temporary living space, we’ll live to glorify Him.

The Gift God Has Given You

The Gift God Has Given You
by Max Lucado

A cynic asked an elderly woman about the security of her salvation. He said, “How can you be so sure that after all these years God won’t let you sink into hell?” Her answer: “He would lose more than I would. All I would lose would be my own soul, but He would lose his good name.”

What a gift God has given to you! You’ve won the greatest lottery in the history of humanity, and you didn’t even pay for the ticket. Your soul is secure, your salvation guaranteed. Your name is written in the only book that matters. This is the message of God, the promise of grace. The Bible says “there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ” (Romans 8:1). This is a promise from God. And because God’s promises are unbreakable our hope is unshakable!

Even When Nobody Notices

Even When Nobody Notices 
KAREN EHMAN

“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. Otherwise, you have no reward with your Father in heaven.” Matthew 6:1 (CSB)

Recently I took a train trip to spend a few days with a friend. After making a scheduled stop, the train pulled out of the depot, slowly meandering through the countryside.

Before it reached full speed, we came to a wide space of fields, where mostly brown and beige weeds and overgrown briars grew as far as the eye could see. However, ahead in the distance, my eye caught a sudden splash of brilliant lavender standing in stark contrast to the bland, unbecoming foliage.

In a few minutes, this patch of purple came more clearly into view. When it did, I spied the biggest and most gorgeous lilac bush I’ve ever seen, with blooms so enormous I thought they might topple the bush right over. I thought to myself, What a shame this magnificent plant was situated way out there in the boondocks where hardly anyone could see it.

But you know what? The remote location of that breathtaking bush does not detract from its splendor. It matters not that it draws few onlookers. It is still a stunning display of growth and life. Not having an audience doesn’t make it any less lovely.

I’m learning that much of what God calls us to do in day-to-day life isn’t all flashy and post-worthy. Instead, it’s ordinary, intended to be done quietly, with no spotlight drawing attention to it.

Before it reached full speed, we came to a wide space of fields, where mostly brown and beige weeds and overgrown briars grew as far as the eye could see. However, ahead in the distance, my eye caught a sudden splash of brilliant lavender standing in stark contrast to the bland, unbecoming foliage.

In a few minutes, this patch of purple came more clearly into view. When it did, I spied the biggest and most gorgeous lilac bush I’ve ever seen, with blooms so enormous I thought they might topple the bush right over. I thought to myself, What a shame this magnificent plant was situated way out there in the boondocks where hardly anyone could see it.

But you know what? The remote location of that breathtaking bush does not detract from its splendor. It matters not that it draws few onlookers. It is still a stunning display of growth and life. Not having an audience doesn’t make it any less lovely.

I’m learning that much of what God calls us to do in day-to-day life isn’t all flashy and post-worthy. Instead, it’s ordinary, intended to be done quietly, with no spotlight drawing attention to it.

In this verse, the word “righteousness” in the original Greek means an action having God’s approval and deemed to be right in His eyes. We’re cautioned that doing such actions in order to be seen by others gains us no reward in heaven. When we perform these deeds merely to elevate ourselves in others’ eyes, it’s nothing more than a spiritual show.

On the flip side, we can also conclude that doing righteous acts with the right perspective — because they please God — is how we are to behave and will be rewarded by Him.

As we grow and blossom in our walk with the Lord, let’s be on the lookout for ways to show kind and compassionate service to others, doing so only to glorify God rather than promote ourselves. You may not gather a large audience. But let’s keep serving Jesus by serving others, even when He’s the only one who notices.

Father, help me to love and serve others out of a pure heart, with my only motive being to glorify You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Colossians 3:17, “And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (CSB) 

Ephesians 2:8-9, “For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift — not from works, so that no one can boast.” (CSB)

I Want Answers Now!

I Want Answers Now!
by Laura MacCorkle

In his heart, a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9, NIV

Living in the Information Age, we’re so used to getting what we want as soon as we want it.

We’re becoming more and more accustomed to not having to wait for anything, as instant gratification is the norm in many areas of our lives.

• A gourmet, meat-and-three meal ready in less than three minutes from the microwave. Check. 
• Instant text messages sent directly to our handheld communication devices. Check.
• Mobile phone reception and extensive coverage wherever we may travel. Check. 
• Wireless Internet access so we can log on whenever and wherever we want. Check.
• A new group of “friends” in an online social network who we don’t have to spend face-time with in order to call friends. Check.

Can you relate? God forbid that we should ever have to wait on something, because that’s when the real whining and the complaining kick in. I should know.

I’ve been struggling with an ongoing life situation that has got me journaling and praying and reading and discussing up a storm. I don’t understand what God is doing, and I want answers and a flowchart of how this will all be worked out. Right now.

I want to plan my course and make something happen—move the situation along, if I can, and get the results that I think should be had and on my time schedule.

Not long after I have a mental outburst such as this, I am immediately convicted. And I know that this is not the right way to respond. How must God interpret this type of thinking? Does he lovingly shake his head and murmur, “Oh, sweet child. Someday she’ll learn.” Or perhaps I disappoint him because I cannot trust in him without struggling with my desire to first know all the steps he’s planning for me to get from Point A to Point Z.

While flipping through my Bible this week, I found that the words of Psalm 145:3-7 have helped me to see this struggle in a different light: 

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,
and I will proclaim your great deeds.
They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

After reading this passage, I was reminded that it doesn’t matter that I understand what is going on in the world. It doesn’t matter that I can’t control what is or isn’t happening. What matters is that I know and profess that God is great, and that he is good. Period.

Why even struggle with trying to understand the ways of a sovereign God? He alone is worthy of our praise and adoration. Why not just immediately respond with celebration for who he is? Why not just surrender and rest in him? For his answers for our lives are never late and always arrive at just the right time. 

Intersecting Faith & Life: Are you wrestling with God, as Jacob did at Peniel (Gen. 32)? It is God—not you—who holds your destiny in his hands. Ask him to help you take one day at a time as you trust in him and his plan and timetable for your life.