When it Feels Like God Isn’t Listening to Our Prayers..... By: April Motl

 When it Feels Like God Isn’t Listening to Our Prayers (Matthew 15:21-28)

By: April Motl

“And Jesus went away from there, and withdrew into the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman came out from that region, and began to cry out, saying, ‘Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is cruelly demon-possessed.’ But He did not answer her a word. And His disciples came to Him and kept asking Him, saying, ‘Send her away, for she is shouting out after us.’ But He answered and said, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’ But she came and began to bow down before Him, saying, ‘Lord, help me!’ And He answered and said, ‘It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.’ But she said, ‘Yes, Lord; but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.’ Then Jesus answered and said to her, ‘O woman, your faith is great; be it done for you as you wish.’ And her daughter was healed at once.” ( Matthew 15:21-28 NASB)

This story is for those of us who have gone through seasons where we felt like God’s work went “quiet.”

Notice in verse 23 that Jesus “did not answer her a word.” And the disciples were even sick of hearing this woman crying out for help. It seemed like Jesus was ignoring her! Then when He finally did give her attention, He appeared to be less than immediately sympathetic.

Jesus wasn’t ignoring the Canaanite woman or lacking compassion toward her need. He was “setting the stage.” This woman who was an “outsider” to the Jewish faith displayed more belief than the very people who were supposed to have been ready and waiting for Jesus’ coming. In addition, her story prepared the way for the Gospel being preached to those outside the Jewish faith. She was a foreshadowing of the work God was planning to accomplish among the gentiles. And she was a great example of faith!

When you feel like the Lord isn’t hearing your prayers, take heart and emulate this woman’s example by doing the following:

1. Continue to pray.

Like the Canaanite woman who kept lifting her request, we also need to keep praying!

Read the parable of the persistent widow in  Luke 18:1-8 for another example Jesus highlighted pertaining to a steadfastness in our prayer life. The Lord cherishes a person whose faith keeps compelling them to come to Him.

2. Be completely humble.

The Canaanite woman engaged Jesus with total humility. She was on her face before Him.

Sometimes we are tempted to get frustrated in the Lord’s timing and spiritually shake our fists at Him, demanding an answer. That is simply not our place. A crucial piece of this woman’s availability to be a good witness was tied to her humility. We, too, need humble ourselves before the Lord.

3. Expect your Lord to meet you.

The Canaanite woman knew who she was talking to: the One who gives generously even to the littlest and weakest among us. She was there to receive from His hand whatever He saw fit to give her.

Regardless of your situation, remember who you are talking to: the One who has gone to the ends of Creation to meet you. The One who did not even withhold His very own Son in pursuit of you. Hang on to the truth that He will meet you.

4. Be thankful for whatever the Lord sees fit to give you.

The Canaanite woman declared that she would be content with crumbs, because even God’s crumbs were more than enough.

Sometimes crumbs are the very best because it leaves room for an appetite for the True Bread of Life. Sometimes, God opens the floodgates and we are shocked at His overflow of blessing. Whatever He chooses to give us, the right stance of our heart is gratitude.

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” ( 1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Experiencing God’s Promises through the Renewing of Your Mind... Denison Ministries

 Experiencing God’s Promises through the Renewing of Your Mind

Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview:

Our heavenly Father has made incredible promises to us, his children. And while our God is completely faithful to deliver on his promises, he does not force them on us. He’s promised his nearness, his affections, and an eternal life spent with him. But we have the power to choose our own way. He doesn’t force himself where there’s no space. God’s word won’t have power in our lives if we don’t read it. We won’t hear God effectively if we’re not listening. And we can’t experience his nearness if we constantly fill our lives with other things. So, this week we’re going to talk about different ways we can experience the promises of God so that they might come to full fruition in our lives. May you encounter God powerfully as you grow in fully experiencing the incredible promises of your heavenly Father.

Scripture:“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2

Devotional:

There is a battle being waged constantly for your mind. This battle isn’t about flesh and blood, but instead about experiencing the very promises of God. You see, your mind is the place where emotions, perspectives, and decisions all collide—where lies and truth wage war. It’s where you can choose to experience God and see the world as he does, or choose a different path and struggle in life to attain any sense of his promises at all. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” Paul makes it clear that there is a very real spiritual battle happening in which taking your thoughts captive is a chief weapon. So let’s look today at the weapon of renewing your mind and how to effectively use it to experience all that God has in store for you.

In God we have an incredible ally in the war for our minds. We’ve been given the Holy Spirit to help us think like God. We’ve been given the word of God to meditate on so that we can share in God’s wisdom. But we must engage in this process of transformation to experience all God has in store. Ephesians 4:21-24 says, “Assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” God has given you an opportunity for new life “created after the very likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” But in order to experience that new life, you must “be renewed in the spirit of your [mind].” Real action is required to experience God’s promise of a “new self.” You have to see yourself as God sees you. Your perspective must shift and be aligned with God’s perspective.

You see, renewing your mind positions you to fully experience God’s promises. For example, Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” In the renewing of your mind, you are able to discern the will of God. It’s a real and practical step to receiving the knowledge of what God would have you do. Joshua 1:8 says, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” In the renewing of your mind to God’s word, your way will be made prosperous. Meditating on God’s word has the power to lead you to success.

God’s made a way for you to experience abundant life every day. He’s made incredible promises to you of his will, his peace, his nearness, and his victory over the enemy. But the battle for experiencing those promises is waged in your mind. Renew your mind today to the truth of God. Take captive any lies that run through your mind. Choose to align your thinking with his word. Filter your emotions and decisions through the word of God. And experience today the abundant life God has in store for you in the goodness of his promises.

Guided Prayer:       

1. Meditate for a moment on the power of renewing your mind. Allow Scripture to fill you with a desire to engage in this spiritual discipline.

“For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:4-5

2. Where in your thoughts do you need victory today? Where do you feel like your perspective of yourself, others, or situations might not align with God’s perspective?

3. Renew your mind to God’s truth in those areas. Find Scripture that speaks to those areas. Ask the Spirit to guide you in renewing your mind to the truth you need.

You can take inventory of the battle being waged for your mind by simply looking at your life. Look at your emotions. Look at the decisions you’re making. You have the power to control those areas of your life by renewing your mind. God’s word is unchanging. His perspective is sure, steadfast, and perfect. He’s given you the tools you need to align your thinking with his in his Spirit and his word. Choose to engage in the life-giving process of renewing your mind. If you’ll choose to act on God’s word, to believe him, your heart will become steadfast and unshakable. You’ll experience a life full of the abundance of God’s promises. May your day be filled with the promises of God fulfilled in your life.

Extended Reading: Romans 12

You Are Chosen and Enough..... by Lauren Sanchez

 You Are Chosen and Enough

by Lauren Sanchez

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Psalm 139:14)

While watching The Bachelor recently, I was struck by the surprising empathy that one woman chose to display to another woman who’d hurt her. Instead of angrily keeping her distance, Kendall confronted another contestant, Krystal, about her wrong-doing and even took it a step further. She called out the goodness in Krystal and told her that she understood why she did the things she did, but that she didn’t have to act this way. She could be vulnerable. She could be real.

Real. Why does this seem like such a foreign concept?

We have gotten so used to, as a society, living behind facades. We present ourselves a certain way for job interviews. We edit our Instagram accounts to show only the most interesting moments of our lives. We try to appear as the perfect Christian, parent, or leader instead of just being transparent about our brokenness.

This only works but for so long. Eventually, we are found out or become exhausted keeping up the charade. Christian author Shauna Niequist explains this struggle in her book, Present Over Perfect:

“What kept me running? That’s the question I keep returning to, the lock I keep fiddling with. I was highly invested in maintaining my reputation as a very capable person. I thought that how other people felt about me or thought about me could determine my happiness. When I see that on the page now, staring back at me in black and white, I see how deeply flawed this idea is, how silly even.”

Niequist continues, “The crucial journey, then, for me, has been from dependence on external expectations, down into my own self, deeper still into God’s view of me, his love for me that doesn’t change, that will not change, that defines and grounds everything.”

What I’ve learned is that when we choose to let others see us in a polished manner, a version of ourselves that is partly us (or not us at all), we miss out on the true joy of feeling fully known and fully loved. It is only when we take off the mask and let others see us that we can really experience the freedom to be ourselves.

You are enough. There is freedom in letting go of control over others’ perceptions of us. We can breathe. We find the space to relax and rest in God. He will carry our burdens (Matthew 11:28-30). And, He will build us up in Him so that we have a new idea of our worth, one that is based on our identity in Him.

“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves (Ephesians 1:4-6)."

Intersecting Faith & Life:

I challenge you this week to begin taking off that mask that is insecurity. Take little steps to let others in. Share something with a coworker or friend that they may not know about you. As you let others see the real you, remind yourself what God’s Word says and build your self-confidence on that.

A Prayer for Those Who Are Battle Weary..... By: Debbie McDaniel

 A Prayer for Those Who Are Battle Weary

By: Debbie McDaniel

“The Lord is my banner…For hands were lifted up to the throne of the Lord.” -Exodus 17:15-16

Some days get hard. We feel exhausted. Worn. Tired of fighting. About ready to give up. Feeling like we can’t go on. Struggling through defeat. The enemy seems to be hot on our trail. And we wonder if we’ve been left on our own.

For those who are battle-weary, His Truth over us for this day…

We’re not alone. Not ever. God won’t let go, though we may struggle with the lies that He’s left us fending for ourselves in hard times. His Word is filled with reminders that He fights for us still today. It never says this life will be easy. He never promises that we won’t get weary, or that we won’t face an enemy or a giant. But He does say we can come to Him and He will give us rest. He does promise to fill us with the power of His Spirit and that His joy will be our strength. He does remind us that the battle is not ours but the Lord’s. He does say that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces of darkness in this life.

None of us are immune. Life is hard some days. And often there’s not even just one “big” thing, but just lots of little battles that can drain us dry. Parenting, marriage, job, relationships, fears, worries about the future, experiencing loss, discouragement, illness, money problems – it all can leave us beaten down and worn. But, praise God, He gives us one another to help in times when we just feel like, “I can’t anymore…”

We’re all in this life thing together; let’s help each other today. Give an encouraging word, smile at someone, write a note, send a text, buy someone a coffee, pray for another soul and let them know that you’re praying, anything, just to remind a fellow believer that you’re holding up their battle-weary arms. And that you’re with them.

And God is with us.

Dear God,

The battle feels intense some days. We get tired and weak, weary and worn. It’s hard to keep going in the face of defeat. But help us to remember that you will never leave us, that you’re our Refuge and our Strength, an ever-present help in trouble. We know that the enemy wouldn’t be fighting so hard against us, if we weren’t making a difference for your Kingdom. He wouldn’t be trying so hard to stop us, if he didn’t think you had so much good still in store. Remind us that the battle belongs to you, and whatever we’re up against can be taken down in one fail swoop by your Mighty Hand.

Help us to trust you more, to never waste time spinning our wheels and wrestling or fighting in our strength. Please forgive us Lord for the times we’ve failed to lift our hands to you, for the days we’ve forgotten to come to you first. Fill us with the Power of your Holy Spirit this day. Fill us with your joy, fill us with your wisdom and discernment, fill us with constant reminders that Your Presence will go with us, and you will give us rest.

Amen.

Easter Brings Hope..... Greg Laurie

 Easter Brings Hope

Greg Laurie

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live." 
—John 11:25

Easter is not about brightly colored eggs, wearing pastels, or enjoying a big meal, although it could include these. Easter is about the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

For some, Easter will be a great day, spent surrounded by family and friends. But for others, it will be a sad day, because Easter is a reminder of a loved one who has died and is now desperately missed.

Death seems so cruel, so harsh, and so final. That is what the disciples were feeling when they saw their Lord, whom they had left everything to follow, hanging on the cross. They were devastated. Death had crushed them. But if they would have gone back in their memories, they would have recalled an important event and statement Jesus had made.

They would have remembered Jesus standing at the tomb of his close friend Lazarus. They would have remembered that Jesus did something completely unexpected: He wept (see John 11:35). Jesus wept, because He knew that death was not part of God's original plan. Humanity was not meant to grow old, to suffer with disease, or to die. But because of the sin of Adam and Eve, sin entered the human race, and death followed with it. And death spread to all of us. Jesus wept, because it broke His heart.

But standing there at Lazarus' tomb, Jesus also delivered these hope-filled words: "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live" (John 11:25). Death is not the end. And the resurrection of Jesus Christ proves it.

If you have put your faith in Christ, then Easter means that you will live forever in the presence of God. Easter brings hope to the person who has been devastated by death.