Category Archives: Prayer

Too Busy for Jesus, Part 2

Posted on by under Desires, God's Presence, Lifestyle, Obedience, Prayer, Priorities, Worship

busy (1)Jesus First

Jesus clearly states what our priorities as Christians should look like in Matthew 6:31-33:

“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

God knows we need to get things done, need to make money, and need to take care of our commitments.  However, seeking His kingdom, not ours, is what He requires to be “first.”  This is what sets us apart from the world.  While the world maximizes their time on the “cares of life,” we are to focus on the eternal priority of God’s kingdom.  His kingdom is not made up of things or possessions, but on an eternal relationship with Jesus.

Where our love lies is found in what we seek the most.  When we “seek first” our productivity and financial increase above God’s kingdom, it is proof that we love these things greater than we love Jesus.  Our “treasure” is forever connected to our heart . .  . and where heart is, there will be our love.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:21)

And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. (Mark 12:30)

Seeking Jesus first – making Him the highest priority – is an indication of our love for Him.  In fact, we are commanded to love Him with all we are, not just some of it.  However, when our time and physical efforts are solely focused on our agenda and our needs, the proof of our love is weak.  We may say that we love Jesus, but consistently, our actions speak louder than words.

Prioritize Like Jesus

If there was anyone who could make the excuse by saying “I’m too busy,” it was Jesus.  People were constantly drawing on His time and attention.  The religious leaders often sought for His death.  Even His disciples were needy.  But despite all His needs, He was the perfect example of godly prioritization.  He wouldn’t ask us to do something He wasn’t willing to do or hadn’t done Himself.  We will never find an example of Him worrying about tomorrow, or seeking His agenda first.  He was consistently getting away from the crowds to spend time with the Father, and He obeyed God in every area (John 5:19, John 6:38).

As His disciples, we are to do the same:

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps . . . (Peter 2:21)

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. (Ephesians 5: 1-2)

So practically, how would we live a life where Jesus is first?  How would we prioritize so we’re never too busy for Him? Here are a few areas we can daily subject to Jesus for His review:

Commit to Jesus – Every day we should be saying, “Not My will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42).  God is looking for a life of surrender.  He is, after all, our Lord.  His commitment to our salvation meant we have eternal life.  This should be enough for us to completely give all of ourselves – including our work and schedules – to Him.

Consult Jesus – Jesus should always have a say in every decision we make.  We are to “acknowledge Him” so He can make our paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6).  This includes the use of our time and money, as well as the relationships we make and the towns we live in.  Nothing is left untouched by His directive.

Live for Jesus – We can commit and consult all day, but unless we act on what He tells us, our words are meaningless.  Our lives should reflect His Word and nature living on the inside of us.  Our daily walk should be marked with holiness, obedience, and selfless living for Him and no one else.

Trust Jesus – We are not only called to love Him with all our heart, but also to trust Him with all our heart.  When we trust Him, we are confident that when He tells us to give up a habit, adjust our schedule, or serve the Body of Christ, He will do what He promised. We know He is doing it for our good as well as His, and will make sure all our need are met.  We can rest assured that it will be “more than we could ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20)!

Faithful Servant

Busyness, and other misplaced priorities, can be a great weight in our lives.  In fact, it can even be a sin if it excludes Jesus as Lord, or goes against something God has specifically told us to do.  The point of losing the “weight” of busyness is so we can run free and easy in our relationship with God and His call on our lives.  It enables us to hear His voice when He gives us guidance and encouragement.  It keeps us ready to get up and go the moment He tells us to.  It keeps our focus on what it most important – Jesus, the Author and the Finisher of our faith.

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,  looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2)

God is looking for those who will be faithful, or trustworthy.  Our lives are not just about us trusting Him, but also Him trusting us.  Will we honor His commitment to us by making Him number one in our lives?  Will we put aside our own plans to join His?  Will we give our time, money, possessions, and skills to His use? If we do, it is proof that He has our hearts. He then knows that possessions, busy schedules, and the lure of money does not possess us.  He now possesses our hearts.

“Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.” Matthew 25:23

The result of that faithfulness is being trusted with more – but more of what He says is important!  It won’t be a burden, for His “yoke is easy and His burden is light” (Matthew 1:30).  Spending time with Him and putting Him first is far easier and less stressful than slaving away in the kitchen!

(If you want to catch up and read part 2, go the the September archives at the bottom of this page!)

 

Let’s Pray!

Posted on by under Desires, Prayer, Priorities, Supernatural

We’ve recently seen God move in our nation in a supernatural way.  What seemed to be impossible was made possible!  Why?  Because the Body of Christ PRAYED and VOTED. If you’re like me, though, you wondered if your one, lone prayer would make a difference.  If you had that thought, know it was just the devil trying to keep you from praying at all – because he knows it does work!  If every Christian believed that their prayer wouldn’t accomplish anything, then nothing would be accomplished in the Kingdom of God! Obviously, if God commands us to pray, it’s because He knows the power in it!

I am so thankful for my brothers and sisters in Christ who prayed and will continue to pray for the USA.  Though we may have rallied during the most important election of our nation, we still need God desperately.  The battle isn’t over, but as we pray, much will be accomplished! (James 5:16)

Please see below a powerful gathering of believers in Israel as they prayed for our election. We are blessed to have other countries rallying in prayer to help us! Below is a list of prayer Scriptures to build your faith.  Don’t stop praying!

Prayer Scriptures

Matthew 7:7-15 7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

John 16:24 24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

John 14:13 13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

James 5:15-16 15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

1 John 5:14-15 14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

Ephesians 6:17-18 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

Jeremiah 29:12 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.

Mark 11:23-24 23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

Luke 18:1-20 18 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart. . .

Philippians 4:6 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. . .

Colossians 4:2-32 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;

1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing. . .

1 Timothy 2:8 8 I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting;