Streams in the Desert

Streams in the Desert

Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed (John 20:29).

How strong is the snare of the things that are seen, and how necessary for God to keep us in the things that are unseen! If Peter is to walk on the water he must walk; if he is going to swim, he must swim, but he cannot do both. If the bird is going to fly it must keep away from fences and the trees, and trust to its buoyant wings. But if it tries to keep within easy reach of the ground, it will make poor work of flying.

God had to bring Abraham to the end of his own strength, and to let him see that in his own body he could do nothing. He had to consider his own body as good as dead, and then take God for the whole work; and when he looked away from himself, and trusted God alone, then he became fully persuaded that what He had promised, He was able to perform.

That is what God is teaching us, and He has to keep away encouraging results until we learn to trust without them, and then He loves to make His Word real in fact as well as faith.
--A. B. Simpson

I do not ask that He must prove
His Word is true to me,
And that before I can believe
He first must let me see.
It is enough for me to know
'Tis true because He says 'tis so;
On His unchanging Word I'll stand
And trust till I can understand.
--E. M. Winter 

Reasons to Surrender ..... Dr. Charles Stanley

Reasons to Surrender

Dr. Charles Stanley

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

As we learned yesterday, God tells us to surrender our lives to Him. This is no small task. All our plans, every desire we feel, each entitlement that once seemed our right—everything is put aside in order to make way for our King’s will. But perhaps you have wondered why God can ask this of us.

The Lord has every right to demand that we give Him our all. First, Scripture teaches us that He is sovereign—the King and Ruler over the entire universe. As a result, we are under His authority, whether we choose to submit or not. Next, through His death and resurrection, Jesus saved us from our sin and its consequences. Therefore, we are indebted to Him more than we could ever repay. And finally, He sustains us; we should consider each breath and heartbeat a gift from Him.

Undoubtedly, God is entitled to ask that we yield our life to Him. At the same time, surrender is in our best interest. The Father promises that following Him leads to hope and an established future. Psalm 31:19 states, “How great is Your goodness, which You have stored up for those who fear You . . .” So, while He is the Almighty One with all authority to demand our life, He promises to care for us and to do what will benefit us most.

Are you willing to put yourself aside in order to follow Jesus? His way is best, and it offers hope, joy, and peace. We will not always like everything He chooses at the moment, but He promises to work all things for good. Will you trust God enough to hand the reins over to Him?

Watching the Horizon for Your Prodigal .....SARAH GERINGER

Watching the Horizon for Your Prodigal
SARAH GERINGER

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” Luke 15:20b (NIV)

The last time I had seen my prodigal family member was in silhouette in late afternoon.

From my car, I happened to spot them walking into the mall, holding hands — a rare good day. My heart broke for the thousandth time as I left the scene, wondering if the situation would ever change.

My prodigal had refused to break up with the person who was causing tremendous pain, and as I watched the downward spiral, I’d cried out to God in confusion. Why isn’t my loved one changing for the good? Are my constant prayers making a difference? Should I just give up hoping for a turnaround? My heart trembled with fear as I desperately searched for signs of my loved one’s return.

Jesus knew many of us would be in a similar situation when He told the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32. In it, Jesus focuses on three people. First is the prodigal son who ran away. I’m pretty sure every sinner can relate to that one!

Then there was the father who selflessly sacrificed for this son and scanned the horizon for his return.

And last but not least, we see the older brother who was loyal to his father, yet simmering with anger.

I believe Jesus had several purposes for telling this story. One was to encourage those who love a prodigal. The Holy Spirit moved Luke to record this story to remind us we’re not alone. If you’ve ever loved a prodigal, God sees your soul-crushing heartache.

Maybe you’re the one looking for a return, except you’re the mother, sister, daughter, niece, cousin, friend or teacher in Jesus’ story. Longing to see your loved one return to their roots of faith.

Part of what helped me work through that difficult season was worship music. Every morning, I listened to four of my favorite songs in a particular order.

The first song reminded me I just need Jesus on my darkest days. The next prodded me to choose joy. The third song invited me to worship the One who died for me on a hill He created. Finally, another favorite song rallied me to remember how God takes all that’s wrong and makes it right.

This playlist became a musical life raft as my heart nearly drowned in despair, bringing much-needed comfort to my soul. Though I was close to hopelessness, those songs tethered me to God’s truth.

During that difficult time, God’s Word also kept me grounded. I reread the prodigal son story, and the Holy Spirit used this verse to keep me focused on the horizon:

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him” (Luke 15:20b).

The father in this story is our Father God. He watches the horizon every single day for our prodigals. He never stops hoping for them to return. Our loving, compassionate Father longs to welcome your prodigal back home.

It takes courage to watch the horizon and stay focused on your prodigal’s return, courage to keep hoping and praying, despite knowing they’re still a long way off. It takes courage only God can provide to overcome the rage, despair, dread and injustice you feel. Yet, isn’t that what faith truly means? Believing in a future we can’t yet see?

Our Father God is standing on the horizon, holding out His hand. He’s inviting you and me to watch the rising sun with Him, where His mercies are new every morning. On the worst of days, He alone holds us up as helplessness looms large. He’s right there by our side, urging us to keep watching the horizon with hope.

Today, I’m thanking God because my prodigal eventually returned home. I know this isn’t everyone’s story, so I’m praying for those who are still waiting.

Never give up hope. God is standing beside you.

Heavenly Father, I praise You for watching the horizon for my prodigal, even when I lose hope. Remind me I can find strength and courage to keep watching with You by my side. Help me trust You more in this difficult journey each day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Hebrews 10:23, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” (NIV)

Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” (NIV)

The Forgotten Vital Organ..... by Katherine Britton

The Forgotten Vital Organ
by Katherine Britton

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. - Proverbs 18:21

I have decided that many, many medical textbooks are wrong. Each and every one of them has actually left out a vital organ. Yes, they've remembered the heart and the brain and even that strange thing called a pancreas (I know it's important, I just forget why sometimes). But look through the books all you want, and you'll find not one mention of the most obvious vital organ of all: the tongue.

Then again, I myself often choose to ignore the importance of the tongue. I'd rather not believe it has "the power of life and death." I'd like to pretend my tongue is more like an appendix or a gall bladder - easy to forget about because it's not that important - but that's just not the case. Snapping at my family when I'm tired, nagging, and complaining all release a poison from my tongue that works its way through my whole being (James 3:6). Not only that, I infect others with my attitudes and motivations. I begin to spread a disease.

Contrast that with the "words of the wise," as Proverbs says many times. Their words heal and strengthen as they spread encouragement, wisdom, peace, and the Gospel message. Oh, and - get this - the wise actually use their tongues less than other people. The more powerful the tongue, the less it needs to be used. It's like the heart of a well-trained athlete - when someone is really in shape, the beats per minute actually decrease as the heart becomes more and more efficient. In the same way, why don't I condition my tongue to speak fewer words with more meaning?

In Genesis 1, God spoke into the darkness, and there was light. Those "mere words" created something from nothing, showing the power of speaking out. My pastor in college told us that this verse had meaning for us, too, since we are created in God's image. We are meant to speak out and bring light from the darkness as He did. That's the power of the tongue in a crazy world. The question is whether we choose to speak light or just add to the darkness.

That little muscle called the tongue holds the power of life and death. That's no small matter. So let's be careful how we exercise it.

Intersecting Faith & Life: Grab a concordance and look up the words "mouth" and "tongue." The reference lists are extensive. It gets even bigger if you include the words "speak" and words." Then, take a seven day challenge to "tame the tongue" in just one way. Perhaps try encouraging instead of complaining. Even taming just that one area is like trying to control a wildfire (James 3:5). Don't get discouraged, but take each opportunity to thank God for the "new song" that He has given you to sing (Psalm 40:3).

He Will Quiet You with His Love..... By: Betsy St. Amant Haddox

He Will Quiet You with His Love
By: Betsy St. Amant Haddox

The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. - Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV)

A month after my husband of nine years left me, I went on a women’s retreat to Colorado, led by Staci Eldredge with Ransomed Heart Ministries. The first few days, I was numb—numb to the March snow piled around me, numb to the new reality of single motherhood waiting for me back home, and numb to the boiling storm inside my heart begging for release. But the Lord didn’t let me stay numb long. After days of fellowship, comfort food, corporate worship, intense workshops, and a ton of quiet time alone with the Lord and my raging thoughts, He broke through.

My husband didn’t love me anymore, but my Bridegroom did.

Once I was home and the power of those emotions faded, a dear friend mailed me a card that I still have to this day in my dresser, some seven years later. It simply contained the verse from Zephaniah 3:17, reminding me of God’s love. He wouldn’t let me forget. He still loved me.

After that, encouragement piled in from all sides. Text messages, gift cards, surprises in the mail, offers to help mow my yard or prepare my house to sell. Eventually, these efforts faded as time went by—understandably so.

But you know what never stopped? The hearts.

I began to see hearts everywhere. In the rocks under my feet, in the celery in my soup, in the crack in the table, in the crumb from my bread, in the dirt on the carpet from my shoe…literally anywhere and everywhere. And they usually came during a rough time—days when I felt the most lonely or unwanted or unlovable.

At first, I thought it was just me seeing something out of nothing. Why would God intentionally send me hearts? There was no Scriptural evidence that He would do that. Then I started realizing that if I believed in God’s sovereignty, then He was absolutely in control of whether or not that heart appeared in that cloud or rock or in that bowl of soup. And He was absolutely in control of whether or not I saw it.

One day I was pumping gas, and my tears were about to spill over. It’d been a hard day. I had a bad case of the “it’s not fair”s and was feeling completely incapable and unforgotten. I glanced down and there it was—a giant heart in the oil stain on the pavement. I started giggling-crying. I was seen. I was loved.

God loves you, too. And He’s not limited to predictive or expected measures of demonstrating that love. We know that ultimately, God demonstrated His love for us through His Son, Jesus, on the cross. Through His death and resurrection, we know God’s love.

1 John 4:9-10 (ESV) In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Romans 5:8 (ESV) but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

You might not see hearts, but maybe you see something else. Maybe you sense or remember God’s presence the most when you feel the wind on your face. Or when you sink into a hot bath. Or when you see a butterfly or a particular flower in an open field.

His options for expressing love are limitless. Why not ask Him to open your eyes to the love around you? Pour into His Word. Bask in His presence through prayer and worship. And find Him in the unexpected.

A Prayer to Thank God for His Sovereign Control..... By Meg Bucher

A Prayer to Thank God for His Sovereign Control
By Meg Bucher

He set the earth on its foundations,
   never to be moved.
You covered it with the deep like a garment;
  the waters stood above the mountains.
At Your rebuke the waters fled;
  at the sound of Your thunder they hurried away—
the mountains rose and the valleys sank
  to the place You appointed for them—
You set a boundary they cannot cross;
  they will never again cover the earth. - Psalm 104:5-9

When my kids were still little, I longed for a magical solution to cure all aches and boo-boos. The constant clamoring for Band-Aids, boo-boo bunnies, and mommy hugs was everyday life for a long time. Long after the initial hurt had passed, that little Band-Aid on their finger or on their knee would remind them the rest of the day why they needed me, if only just to whine about what happened or add pity to the pain.

One day, I decided to use the clear, thick baby ointment that cures everything… maybe this would be the magical, cure-all solution? Clearing up a diaper rash is no joke, so I figured a paper cut should be a cakewalk for that stuff. I figured right, and they bought it. Problem solved …for a while.

In the search to heal what ails us, there are plenty of worldly solutions claiming to right wrongs and undo hurts. But, today’s verse reminds us of God’s sovereign healing. He secures the world. God set the borders of the ocean and perimeters of the sky, the depths of the ocean and heights of mountainous ranges. The sun rises and the sun sets, day after day, dependably.

Max Lucado wrote this about God’s power and control: “What controls you doesn’t control Him. What troubles you doesn’t trouble Him. What fatigues you doesn’t fatigue Him. Is an eagle disturbed by traffic? No, he rises above it. Is the whale perturbed by a hurricane? Of course not, he plunges beneath it. Is the lion flustered by the mouse standing directly in his way? No, he steps over it. How much more is God able to soar above, plunge beneath, and step over the troubles of the earth! As Matthew 19:26 tells us, 'With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'”

We need each other for comfort, and we benefit from the medicine the earth provides, but neither is as powerful as His sovereign hand of love. It is a love Jesus died for on the cross so that we may come to Him and be healed …over and over again. When solutions seem senseless, look to Him.

Father, we praise You for the delicate way You powerfully align our lives to Your creation. Thank You for the waters and mountains that remind us of You. Forgive us for overlooking Your presence in every aspect of our lives, and bless us to notice and give glory to You, for You are our healer. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Streams in the Desert

Streams in the Desert

They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; these see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep (Ps. 107:23-24).

He is but an apprentice and no master in the art, who has not learned that every wind that blows is fair for Heaven. The only thing that helps nobody, is a dead calm. North or south, cast or west, it matters not, every wind may help towards that blessed port. Seek one thing only: keep well out to sea, and then have no fear of stormy winds. Let our prayer be that of an old Cornishman: "O Lord, send us out to sea--out in the deep water. Here we are so close to the rocks that the first bit of breeze with the devil, we are all knocked to pieces. Lord, send us out to sea--out in the deep water, where we shall have room enough to get a glorious victory."
--Mark Guy Pearse

Remember that we have no more faith at any time than we have in the hour of trial. All that will not bear to be tested is mere carnal confidence. Fair-weather faith is no faith.
--C. H. Spurgeon

The Hardest Prayer You Can Pray..... by Liz Kanoy

The Hardest Prayer You Can Pray
by Liz Kanoy

“Jesus said, ’Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing’” ( Luke 23:34).

The context of this verse occurs when Jesus is being crucified. Though He was innocent, He carried His cross alongside two criminals to the place where they would be crucified, called The Skull (Golgotha). On the cross, the Son of God—situated between two sinners deserving of death—spoke to His Father and said, ’Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing’” ( Luke 23:34). This was and is the worst crime in the history of the world; the only innocent Man to live on this earth, the only Man undeserving of death and punishment was put to death in the most humiliating and unfair way … and He said what?

This prayer was directed toward the taunting crowd, religious leaders happily observing His death, apathetic Roman soldiers placing bets for His clothing, and the criminals on either side of Him. Could you forgive someone for a terrible crime simply because they do not know God? This is the hardest prayer anyone can pray. To forgive someone undeserving of forgiveness; to forgive someone who does not even recognize their need for forgiveness.

Could you pray this prayer for terrorists, for killers, for gunmen, for bullies, for family members who hurt you deeply, for friends who stab you in the back, for co-workers who use you, for any number of circumstances that cause you or someone you love pain.

On my own, I know I cannot pray this prayer—for I am far too angered by injustice, by acts of evil, by selfish deceit. But with the Holy Spirit as my Helper and my Advocate, I can seek to grow in this prayer. To see people as not just wrong or evil but incredibly lost … and to pray most of all for God to make Himself known to them, for He is the One whom all wrongs are ultimately committed against.

Jesus forgave those who murdered Him not only on the cross but also in their hearts. He saw their state of lostness and just as He had compassion on the crowds who surrounded him during his ministry he had compassion on His persecutors.

Intersecting Faith and Life: If Jesus is our utmost example for Holy living according to God’s will, then we can follow His example even in this—the offering of forgiveness to those who persecute us. Let us pray for our persecutors and our enemies that they might know the love of God and the freedom of forgiveness and grace.

Further Reading:
Acts 3:17
Acts 13:27
Acts 14:16
Acts 17:30
Acts 26:9

How to Recognize a Rebellious Heart (Isaiah 14:13)..... By Lynette Kittle

How to Recognize a Rebellious Heart (Isaiah 14:13)By Lynette Kittle

“How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ But you are brought down to Sheol, to the far reaches of the pit.” – Isaiah 14:12-15

My family was surprised with my results from the online quiz we took just for fun, designed to see which of a favorite classic TV show’s character we’re most like.

Yet when my answer identified me with the rebellious one, I wasn’t shocked. “You’re not rebellious at all,” they said, dismissing the outcome, trying to comfort me and make me feel better.

While I know the silly quiz was a marketing tool designed to engage online readers’ participation, it still seemed as if God was gently speaking to me. Inside, I know the truth. And God knows the truth, too. Sometimes my heart has been rebellious.

So what is rebellion, where does it come from, and do I need to be concerned?

Although worldly culture celebrates rebellion and loves the heart of a rebel, like the 1955 classic film Rebel Without a Cause, rebellion is nothing to celebrate. There is arrogance behind it. It is all about rejecting and challenging God’s authority, setting ourselves above Him.

Isaiah 14:13-14 describes the scene where Satan rebelled against God. “You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’” Satan’s rebellion was the height of arrogance, rejection and challenge.

Unlike the world’s opinion, God sees rebellion as a serious issue. In response to Satan’s rebellious uprising, Isaiah 14:12 reports the results. “How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You’ve been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations!”

Luke 10:18, further describes the scene. “He (Jesus) replied, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.’”

Revelation 12:9 gives us another angle on the story. “The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.”

Why does this all matter? Finding where rebellion originated and the consequences of it helps to lessen its day-to-day appeal. Still, simply identifying the origin of our rebellion doesn’t mean we are aware of the ways it might express itself in our lives. Here are just a few ways rebellion shows up:

• Refusing to listen to God’s instructions for life (Isaiah 30:9)
• Being disloyal to God in our thoughts and actions (Psalm 78:8)
• Carrying out our own plans rather than God’s will for our lives (Isaiah 30:1)

• Forming alliances with ungodly businesses, entertainment, and personalities (Isaiah 30:1)
• Turning away from God and going our own way (Jeremiah 5:23)
• Selling out to the world by following their counsel rather than God’s Word (Isaiah 1:23)

The next time we’re tempted to be rebellious, instead of turning away from God, let’s choose to turn toward Him. Joel 2:13, urges us to return to God, who is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.

A Prayer for Walking in the Unknown..... By: Chelsey DeMatteis­

A Prayer for Walking in the UnknownBy: Chelsey DeMatteis­

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. - Isaiah 41:10

The unknown isn’t a season any of us enjoy. It causes us to look deep inside ourselves and examine our faith. We wrestle with questions that look a lot like these; Do I really trust what God is doing? Do I really trust that He knows how to handle this?

I believe these are natural things to ask when we’re suddenly in the fire. Here, we suddenly see we have little to no control over what’s ahead of us. If you’re like me, you’ve asked these questions - not because you doubt who God is, but because your heart is so heavy from what’s taking place.

The question I typically ask is, “Do I really trust what God is doing?” I know God is good, but I know God’s version of good and my version of good can look drastically different. Which will I turn toward? God’s goodness or mine?

As my husband and I have been journeying through an issue with his eye health, I’ve had to continue refocusing on Jesus. I have to remember that God is good and I can trust what He’s doing while we’re in the limbo of things being completely fine or something serious.

Your season of unknown may not be a medical diagnosis, but I’m certain whatever it is, it’s been one that has left you questioning God. I’m sure you’ve also had to refocus your heart and mind on the truth that God is good.

One of my friends shared Isaiah 41:10 with me while we’ve been in this season of the unknown. She prompted me to place my husband's name in place of “your” in this scripture. This was powerful. It was in this conversation that I was reminded why we must pray God’s Word back to Him. While there isn’t much clarity in the season of the unknown, I believe when we begin to cry out to God through His Word, we begin to get heavenly clarity in our hearts. That clarity results in His peace.

Peace and unknowns don’t seem like they should go together, but what if these two things are exactly what God uses so we can sense His presence in a supernatural way. Only He can turn unknowns into holy ground, and I’ve watched Him turn this season into holy ground for us. It’s caused me to pray aloud over my husband more than ever before, we’ve reached out for prayer to our whole church community in a way we’ve not done before, we’ve called friends to pray in very specific ways, and we’ve seen God move in detailed ways. Ways that without this circumstance we’d never see or experience.

God desires this same thing for you. He wants to take the unknowns in your life and turn them to holy ground. He wants to turn them into seasons where you learn more about Him and His deep love for you.

Pray with me:

Lord, today as we walk through the seasons of the unknown help us to see you. God, encourage my heart with the truth of your word - you are with me, I am yours, you will strengthen me, you will help me, and you will hold me. Jesus, as I look at my circumstances help me to be overcome with your peace. Blanket my family in your protection and please give us discernment as we journey this out with you leading the way. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

Streams in the Desert

Streams in the Desert

And he went out carrying his own cross (John 19:17).

There is a poem called "The Changed Cross." It represents a weary one who thought that her cross was surely heavier than those of others whom she saw about her, and she wished that she might choose an other instead of her own. She slept, and in her dream she was led to a place where many crosses lay, crosses of different shapes and sizes. There was a little one most beauteous to behold, set in jewels and gold. "Ah, this I can wear with comfort," she said. So she took it up, but her weak form shook beneath it. The jewels and the gold were beautiful, but they were far too heavy for her.

Next she saw a lovely cross with fair flowers entwined around its sculptured form. Surely that was the one for her. She lifted it, but beneath the flowers were piercing thorns which tore her flesh.

At last, as she went on, she came to a plain cross, without jewels, without carvings, with only a few words of love inscribed upon it. This she took up and it proved the best of all, the easiest to be borne. And as she looked upon it, bathed in the radiance that fell from Heaven, she recognized her own old cross. She had found it again, and it was the best of all and lightest for her.

God knows best what cross we need to bear. We do not know how heavy other people's crosses are. We envy someone who is rich; his is a golden cross set with jewels, but we do not know how heavy it is. Here is another whose life seems very lovely. She bears a cross twined with flowers. If we could try all the other crosses that we think lighter than our own, we would at last find that not one of them suited us so well as our own.
--Glimpses through Life's Windows

If thou, impatient, dost let slip thy cross,
Thou wilt not find it in this world again;
Nor in another: here and here alone
Is given thee to suffer for God's sake.
In other worlds we may more perfectly
Love Him and serve Him, praise Him,
Grow nearer and nearer to Him with delight.
But then we shall not any more
Be called to suffer, which is our appointment here.
Canst thou not suffer, then, one hour or two?
If He should call thee from thy cross today,
Saying: "It is finished-that hard cross of thine
From which thou prayest for deliverance,
"Thinkest thou not some passion of regret
Would overcome thee? Thou would'st say,
"So soon? Let me go back and suffer yet awhile
More patiently. I have not yet praised God."
Whensoe'er it comes, that summons that we look for,
It will seem soon, too soon. Let us take heed in time
That God may now be glorified in us.
--Ugo Bassi's Sermon in a Hospital

James 5:16..... Dr. Charles Stanley

James 5:16

Dr. Charles Stanley

Hanging above the door in our house, my mother's favorite plaque constantly reminded us, "Prayer changes things." From an early age, I witnessed this powerful truth through her example. She'd tell me about some difficulties she was facing and then have me pray about them with her. And later, she'd always be sure to give God the glory when sharing the awesome news that He had answered those prayers.

Indeed, this is our confidence: Anything we pray for that aligns with the Father's plan will be granted. And the more time we spend with Him, the more we'll come to understand His will and how to pray for it.

Remember, prayer doesn't change God's mind, but it does transform the believer's heart. Some requests are granted immediately, simply because we asked with the realization that our Father loves to give us good gifts. Other requests may require time or certain divine preparations before they can be given. We, meanwhile, must simply be diligent to persevere in prayer.

Whatever the Lord's response or timing, we trust that He has only the very best in store for His children. That means we might not receive exactly what we're asking for, but something even better. Such is God's great pleasure, for He alone perfectly knows each heart's desire and wishes to fulfill it.

Our most powerful tool for shaping the world and lives around us is always available. Prayer lets us witness God's hand in any situation. And as we give attention, time, and perseverance to conversation with Him, we find no limit to what He can achieve in people's hearts and circumstances.

Sweet Perfume..... by Ryan Duncan

Sweet Perfume
by Ryan Duncan

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. – Philippians 2:3-4

Some time ago a stranger visited my church's Sunday service. He arrived early, while the worship team was still setting up, and the minute I saw him I became nervous. It was clear from his appearance that he’d made a lot of bad decisions in life. His cloths were worn and dirty, while his body had been grossly contorted by years of unhealthy living. I remember doing my best to avoid him as I went about my work, hoping that if I ignored him long enough he’d just go away.

Not exactly my finest moment. In fact, I’d say my attitude was no different than Simon the Pharisee in Luke 7:

“Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, ‘If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is--that she is a sinner.’" - Luke 7:36-40

This is one of the biggest dangers we face as Christians: becoming exclusive with the grace of Jesus Christ. The Church is not a showcase for saints, but a place where people of all backgrounds can come and say “I need Jesus”. Neither is God’s love ours to withhold, nor are we more deserving of His mercy than the stranger off the street. In fact, the Bible is pretty clear that Jesus made a habit of knocking “Holy” individuals down to size:

Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven--for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little." Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?" Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace" - Luke 7:44-50

As for the man at the service, my friend reacted much more graciously. He struck up a conversation with the man and welcomed him to the service. He even agreed to help him go grocery shopping later on in the week. I learned a valuable lesson that Sunday; you cannot love someone by omission, you can only love them through action.

Intersecting Faith and Life: “The way to love anything is to realize that it may be lost.” – G.K. Chesterton

Further Reading
Matthew 15:21-28