Praying in Faith..Craig Denison Ministries;

 Praying in Faith

Craig Denison Ministries;

Weekly Overview:

Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Faith is the undercurrent of everything we do as followers of Jesus. Without faith we lose all that Christ died to give us while here on earth. It is by faith we access the peace, joy, guidance, love, and purpose that comes from restored relationship with our heavenly Father. As we seek an increase in faith in response to God’s faithfulness this week, may you experience a greater depth of intimacy with your living, Almighty, and loving heavenly Father.

Scripture: “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:22-24

Devotional:

Prayer is our most powerful gift when done in faith. E. M. Bounds described the power of prayer in saying, “We can do nothing without prayer. All things can be done by importunate prayer. It surmounts or removes all obstacles, overcomes every resisting force and gains its ends in the face of invincible hindrances.” God loves to move when we pray. He is not a God who forces his will on his people, but in love waits for us to capture his heart and ask him to move and work in our lives and the lives of others. There is no more important task before us today than to learn what it is to pray in faith.

Mark 11:22-24 says, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Jesus illustrates an important link between prayer and faith. When we have faith that God will move as he has told us he would and we pray in response to that faith, the impossible happens.

Conversely, James 1:5-8 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” Where faith positions us to receive from God, doubt has the opposite effect. Scripture is clear that the prayers God responds to are prayers of faith. God has given us purpose here. He longs to co-labor with his people. Our job is to capture his heart by spending time in his presence and pray boldly in response to his faithfulness.

You and I have been given the incredible gift of conversation with a God who longs to move in response to our prayers. What obstacles stand in your way today? Where do you need a miracle? Who needs prayer around you? Spend time capturing the heart of your heavenly Father and praying with boldness. He waits to respond to your prayers and do the work only he can do.           

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on the power of prayer in faith.

“Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” > Mark 11:22-24

“Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” Matthew 21:21-22

2. Reflect on your life. What obstacles stand in your way? Where do you need God to work? Who around you needs the power of your prayer today?

3. Ask God what he thinks about the situations in which you desire to pray and then pray boldly according to his will. Seek out Scripture and pray in line with God’s word. Have faith that God will move according to his word in response to your prayer of faith.

Often we are turned off to the idea of praying boldly when we feel God hasn’t answered our prayers in the past. Don’t let past experience stand in the way of living your life in total alignment with the word of God. We will never fully understand all of God’s ways. All we can do is live as he has led us and trust in him. Scripture is clear that God cares for you and longs to help you. He desires to move and work in your midst on a daily basis. Have faith in your heavenly Father and pray to him boldly today.

Extended Reading: Mark 11

Standing Before God’s Open Door..Dr. Charles Stanley

 Standing Before God’s Open Door

Dr. Charles Stanley

1 Corinthians 16:8-9

The apostle Paul had passion and vision to reach the world with the good news about salvation. As he followed the Spirit’s leading, his determination proved effective. There’s no telling how many lives the Lord transformed through this man. And his influence is still impacting people today.

Paul knew that Jesus had instructed His followers to “make disciples of all the nations,” teaching them to observe everything He had commanded (Matt. 28:19). God led and enabled the apostle to do his part in carrying out this divine mission.

But think about life back then—that was a big task for a time when there was no mass communication. Paul could only teach, write, or train others to share the truth. In spite of limited means, however, he obeyed fervently and effectively.

God’s command is still relevant for us today. He has given us the work of telling all nations about redemption through Christ’s blood and resurrection. Compared to Paul, we have an abundance of communication capabilities—including radio, television, Internet, and cell phones—which provide easy access into countries all over the world. We could make more disciples by better utilizing these technologies. But how tragic if we get busy and fail to obey God’s command.

We stand at a critical moment in history for the church. The door of opportunity is wide open for us to share.

Soften My Heart, Lord ..Aaron D’Anthony Brown

 Soften My Heart, Lord

By Aaron D’Anthony Brown

"And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. This hope will not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." Romans 5:3-5

Made Better or Bitter
As people, we may differ in our language, culture, and values, but one experience we all have in common is suffering. No matter our age, sex, social status, or who we are, we all suffer. Unfortunately, that's true of our lives from beginning to end. Suffering comes to us in small doses, like sickness, and significant suffering through financial hardship or the death of a friend. There are countless examples of suffering, both in ourselves and the lives of those we know.

Suffering leaves us with a choice in how we respond. Chances are, like me, you know numerous people who once upon a time called themselves Christians. Then after a traumatic experience with God not matching a prayer request or a fellow believer being a poor representation of the faith, the person you know decides to become faithless. That was their choice. From the outside looking in, we could call this perspective wrong, short-sighted, or sinful, but how often are we in the same position?

Maybe we haven't forfeited our faith, but what have we given up - hope, trust, servitude? Time after time, we've been let down by a relative, a friend, or a job, and eventually, we've decided enough is enough. No more trying. Not because giving up was the right thing to do but because giving up was the thing we wanted to do. We give up because we've suffered enough hardship and don't want to suffer anymore. How many have let go of marriages, relationships, jobs, and even our dreams? Then what? We have the choice of growing bitter, or we can use the hardship to become better. We can learn to bear our burdens, relying on more than just our own strength. We can go before the Lord with a prayer, and we can ask Him to soften our hearts

Intersecting Faith and Life:
When we allow suffering to make us better instead of bitter, we grow closer to God and people and find more ways to endure than to give up. We feel more confident in ourselves and optimistic about life in general. Truly, our hearts emit warmth and compassion instead of not cold callousness. Here are several signs of a softer heart.

Patience
Our human nature leads us to search for an escape from suffering. However, Scripture tells us to be thankful in all circumstances and to learn from them. As a result, we'll be less likely to become enraged or spiteful towards anyone, including God.

Joy
People made bitter through circumstances often develop caustic and selfish personalities. As a result, they find themselves miserable and alone. The opposite is true of people made better.

Wisdom & Maturity
When we focus solely on the bad things that happen to us, we lack a full perspective of how God operates in our lives. With a softer heart, we see God's activity's full extent. That leads to our maturation and wisdom.

Servitude
A person with a soft heart finds ways to serve others, even when the other person would qualify as an enemy.

Stronger Faith
A stronger faith awaits those who learn from their trials. While suffering is a part of life, God doesn't allow these tough situations to torment us. Rather, He is refining our characters, shaping us into people who resemble Christ.

A Prayer for a Softer Heart
God,
I come before you now with a request for a softer heart. Too often have I allowed circumstances to make me cynical, callous, and selfish. Then, finally, I reach a certain threshold and don't think I can take it anymore. I don't want to take it anymore. But I'm afraid if I'm being honest with you and myself. I'm afraid of continuing to be hurt. I'm afraid of being misused, abused, and abandoned. I'm afraid of the past repeating itself.

Lord, I ask that you take away this fear. Please soften my heart so I would better serve you and those you've placed in my life. Help me to live a life dedicated to you, one without fear of suffering and one where the trials make me better, not bitter. Please soften my heart, Lord. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Further Reading:

• 1 Thessalonians 5:18
• Ephesians 4:32
• 1 Peter 5:10

3 Lessons Gideon Teaches Us about Prayer..Janelle Alberts

 3 Lessons Gideon Teaches Us about Prayer

by Janelle Alberts

“And the angel of the LORD appeared to him and said to him, “The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor.” - Judges 6:12

Our questions of faith often remain unanswered or confusing. Like our questions about prayer.

Prayer is somewhat a mystery, but there are still plenty of things we can know for sure about prayer. I’m especially grateful for what the story of Gideon (found in Judges) is currently teaching me about prayer.

1. Prayer Engages Someone Who is Already with You.

We know what it feels like when someone is with us, and a lot of the time God’s involvement in our lives can feel…unpredictable. But prayer reminds us that God is already always with us.

Gideon hit the Bible scene after the Israelites had been freed from Egypt (with the help of God), survived a stiff-necked wandering in the desert (with the help of God), dispossessed the bad guys and finally scored the Promised Land (with the help of God), and enjoyed years of peace, glorious peace (thanks to God)!

Then they blew off God.

Of course, their world came crashing in, and it was during that crushingly oppressive and lonely time that God visited Gideon. We read in Judges that an angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon and said to him, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior” (Judges 6).

And Gideon, in one of the most under-excited-to-see-God moments in Bible history, wondered aloud: God? Where have you been?

2. Prayer is All about Honesty – Not Just Saying What We Think God Wants to Hear

Gideon takes some hits in church circles for this seemingly whiny response. I mean, God’s here! Buck up and be glad! Who wouldn’t respond that way?

Um, God.

God did not treat Gideon that way at all. Here was a man who had heard stories about God’s benevolent leadership and love, but where had God been all this time when Gideon needed him?

Seemingly absent. Gideon was wrong, of course, but God didn’t hold that against him.

If you have read the backstory, you know it was not that God left the Israelites, but the Israelites who had left God. After all, God had done to build a relationship with his children, they still had turned away from God. God said, “You have not listened to me” (Judges 6:10).

God could have justifiably gotten smoking mad at Gideon with an accusing “You’re not listening to me!”

However, it’s one thing to be obstinate, but another thing altogether to be unsure.

This is a God who cares about that difference.

Gideon was hearing God say great things, but Gideon did not know if God would actually do the greatest thing of all.

3. Prayer Teaches Us to Have Eyes that See God

God has a much greater mission than demonstrating his greatness. His mission is to demonstrate his love. His greatest challenge was getting his people to receive that from him.

“Don’t go away…” Gideon said to God. “And the Lord said, ‘I will stay here until you return’” (Judges 6:18).
So commenced a bit of fire that lit up a little meat and unleavened bread. There was later a bit of fleece and then later a big barley loaf in the middle of someone else’s dream.

Over and over, God reinforced how much he loved and cared about Gideon and the Israelites.

If the Israelites hadn’t listened before, Gideon was listening now. Intently. What transpired was a monumentally triumphant turn of events for Gideon and his people. And Gideon came to believe that the hiding place of God’s word was a place he could trust.

Expect that God is already waiting for you to spend time with Him. Be honest. He has told us from page one to page 700 plus in the Bible not to fear for one reason. He tells his children over and over, I am with you.

A Prayer to Stand Up for Righteousness..Alicia Searl

 A Prayer to Stand Up for Righteousness

By Alicia Searl

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” - Micah 6:8

As a former public school teacher, I attended several professional development days. On one such day, the topic of testing was being addressed. There must have been over a hundred teachers talking about state standards and how to administer the tests. At the end of the discussion, we had to choose a corner of the room based on what we believed about the standardized tests. Feeling totally convicted and a tad bit foolish, I sauntered over to the corner I felt led to. I ended up being the only one there! I wanted to move, just to appease the crowd, but my feet (and heart) wouldn’t let me.

This situation reminds me a lot of what is going on in our world today. Many are choosing a corner to stand in, and the four corners presented are – your way, society’s way, the church’s way, and God’s way. Truthfully, we are faced with this choice every single day. Begs to question, where would you stand?

Each corner looks enticing and has its own appeal. They all hold different worldly viewpoints and various perspectives. However, as believers, there is only one corner to stand in! Sounds easy enough, right? Yet, in saying that, there are so many times I don’t even realize I take a stand for my own way, bend to the way of society, or fall into a misconception of what the church offers, dismissing the whole truth.

Friend, we are in strange times, unchartered territory, I would even add. God’s laws are all but removed in most places or sadly being replaced with personal narratives and motives. It is not only happening within the walls of nearly every public building, including our schools, but it is sadly happening within the walls of our congregations too. Currently, our society is easily bending and swaying to the ways of the flesh, which costs the safety of many, especially our innocent children.

So, what do we do? We choose to stand up for righteousness by getting in God’s corner! But, with all the misinformation and misleading truths out there, how do we know it is truly His corner? We must know Him – deeply. We can tell His way apart from the others because it has His Word written all over it. It acts justly, loves mercy, and walks humbly (Micah 6:8). If we really want to take a stand for righteousness and speak out for injustice, we need to be submerged in His Word and etch it in the depth of our hearts (Proverbs 3:3).

Our actions must show others that our God is a God of law and order and that He craves justice. We act justly by speaking out for what is true, noble, and right in God’s eyes, all while repenting and seeking forgiveness of our fleshly desires. We share that God’s love is full of mercy and grace and that forgiveness is wrapped in freedom. And lastly, we walk in humility, knowing God has our back as we boldly posture our hearts towards Him rather than our abilities or the ways of this world. Will you join me in standing up for righteousness?

Let’s pray:
Father God,
You are a righteous God, and we are so thankful that You provide us with an instruction manual on how to live this life. Help us etch Your precious Word into our hearts. Give us the courage to stand firm in our convictions and stand up for what is true and right. Give us the wisdom and words to speak out against the evil surrounding us daily, and lead us back to Your corner! Help us act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly while submitting to Your will and ways. Please forgive us where we fail You and have grace upon us. Lord, direct Your church and people to the truth in Your Word and help us stand on that bedrock and not depart from it. We love you, Lord, and praise your Holy name. Amen.