Sunday Blogvotional: Giving is an Act of Trust

Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything--all she had to live on."  Matthew 12:41-44

When we look at this passage we tend to look at it as a lesson in giving.  But maybe it's also a lesson in trust.  In Biblical times widows and orphans were the ones who usually needed the most help.  They were generally uncared for.  The woman in this passage, being a widow, likely didn't know where her next meal was coming from or how long she'd be able to stay under her roof.  She was poor and by human standards had every right to hold onto what little money she had.  But she didn't.  She gave Him all she had (including her complete trust).  How many of us could do the same even when we have so much more?

Encouragement for the week:   Developing a good sense of trust sometimes requires practice - maybe even baby steps.  Find something you have a hard time trusting God with and try to let go. Even if you can only manage a piece of it for now.  The more pieces you let go, the more trust you'll have.

Growing A Prayer Warrior

It's that time of year again.  School is back in session.  Along with that realization comes many different emotions.  For instance - shock that the summer is already over (I don't even know how that happened), sad because my little baby isn't a baby anymore (3rd grade - wasn't she in preschool last year???) and excitement for what the new year brings.  The new school year represents new beginnings. 

You may have picked up from my blog that I'm an avid believer in praying.  I believe it makes a difference in people's lives and it's not simply conversation time with our Maker.  Over the years I tried many different praying plans and failed at a lot of them.  Finally I stumbled on one that works for me.  It's a 40 day plan.  You can read more about it here and here.  My hope is that in some way I can encourage, inspire, and spread the joy of praying with others.  Hopefully you're one of them.

But what about at home?  What about training my little one?  I believe by teaching my daughter to pray I will be creating a praying habit that she'll carry on into the future.  Remember - not all habits are bad.  When we're young we develop a habit of brushing our teeth, washing our hands, saying please and thank you.  None of those come naturally to young ones.  Why do we neglect habitizing (okay it's not a word but it sounds cool) them in the area of prayer.  This is one of the most valuable life tools that exist.  Teaching them to call on the name of the Lord for their battles and their needs and to praise God for all that He is will get your children through more struggles than you alone ever will.

I suggest teaching your children to go beyond the normal prayers before meals and at bedtime.  As I mentioned, it's a new school year which means a new set of classmates.  A perfect time to begin a new praying program.  One of the things I like to do with my daughter is to create a 30 day chart.  In each slot we put in the name or names (depending on how big the class is) of each of her classmates.  With extra slots we add her teacher, principal, staff, etc.

I believe that by teaching my daughter to pray for others now means it will come more naturally for her as she gets older.  I've found this method of praying for her classmates is particularly helpful when she encounters a problem with one of them.  She's learning that even though we may not always get along with somebody, God still loves them and still wants to bless them.  And through prayer we can send His blessings their way (and make the world a better place in the process).

Pray The Love of God on Them

The other day I sat down to write out my prayer list and got to thinking about each of the individuals.  I know the stories of some of them - what their struggles are at the moment.  But for others - sometimes they're on my list simply because they're friends or family.  They may not have a particular need or struggle at the moment.

Not everyone is currently experiencing a hardship (financial, physical, marital, emotional, spiritual, etc). And because of that we may tend to think there's no particular need to pray for them.  But as I thought about this I was struck by the realization of a universal desire. The truth is, whether we know it or not, we all want to feel the love of God.

Tell me - who wouldn't want to feel loved (I mean the kind of love that wraps you up and makes nothing else matter) from the God of all creation?  Sure - you might answer by saying those who don't have a relationship with God or don't care to have a relationship with God. But here is what I believe to be true.  Even those who are the most anti-God would be hard pressed to turn away that kind of love. 

We all want to be loved.  It's who we are - it's how God made us.  It's the kind of love that says "Don't worry, I got this.", that says "I value you to the nth degree.", or says "It's okay! Let me comfort you".  It's the kind of love that says (and actually means it) "I'd move Heaven and Earth to save you and you alone." 

We, humans, dilute the meaning of the word love.  But love from God is the truest, purest and most passionate kind of love there is.  Nothing on earth can even come close.  Who wouldn't want to feel that kind of love even if for just a moment in time?  So my point is this - we may not know people's earthly struggles to pray for but we can rest assured in knowing that everyone wants love.  I don't think there's a bigger blessing that exists for which we can pray.

Sunday Blogvotional: Watch and Pray

"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”  Matthew 26:41

Jesus spoke these words to his disciples as he went off to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane.   These words aren’t simply an admonishment for them to stay awake and keep guard.  There was something on His mind.  He was sharing His own real struggle as well as giving them some advice. 

Even though He was fully God, He was also fully human.  At that moment Jesus understood far too well the temptations of the body – how our human emotions and physical exhaustion can interfere with our Spirit’s desire.  He was about to be arrested, tried and crucified. The human in him pleaded desperately for God to take away “this cup”.   He understood what it takes to overcome temptations -strengthening our Spirit by communing with God.  He spent the night in prayer and the Spirit in Him prevailed.  He committed His body and said: “Thy will be done.”  

If Jesus understood the necessity of prayer in order to combat temptations. We should heed His advice in fighting our own battles?  The more time we spend with God, the stronger we are and the easier it is to fight off temptations. 

Encouragement for the week:  Make a determined effort to take time to pray each day.  Prayer isn’t simply a tool of communication but a tool for strengthening our souls.

On My Heart

Do you ever have those moments when you feel like God is working in you?  The other night I had one of those moments.  I don't know exactly what to do with it or what His plan is but I'm sure He'll let me know when He's ready.

I was watching a segment on 60 Minutes with my husband.  The piece contained an interview with Bill Gates (Microsoft gazillionaire if you weren't sure who that was).  The story was about his desire and efforts to eliminate certain diseases from the world through advanced research and technology.  For example - creating machines to kill mosquitoes to rid Africa of malaria or creating refrigeration devices to hold antibiotics without the use of electricity (which is hard to come by in third world countries).

Although I was impressed with what the Gates Foundation is doing I was more struck by something Bill said. And it's been on my heart ever since.  He made reference to the fact that people in this country spend money on all sorts of frivolous things while people in other countries die because they don't have basics like medicine, clean water, or refrigeration.

I think his comment was meant more to explain his desire to use his money on something worthwhile than him making a statement about our selfish culture. But still I couldn't get away from the reality of what he said.  We want our excess regardless of whether we could make things better for someone else.

This is what I feel we say without actually saying it: "I see you need clean water and that you might die from some water-born bacteria.  I could help a little bit and probably with some friends we could help a lot.  But, I'm sorry.  I've got plans to go to a movie tonight and then after that I'm going to buy some new shoes.  Maybe next time when I get some extra extra money I can help."  

Please don't misunderstand.  I'm not writing this to make anyone feel guilty.  I'm simply sharing what's on my heart.  I don't know what to do with this anymore than, maybe, you do.  All I know is that if it's on my heart - chances are God is working in me. Where that leads remains to be seen.

Sunday Blogvotional: The Problem With Fear

It's natural for us to have fears but when we grab and hold onto them we open a door for the evil one to attack us.  What's worse is we give him the opportunity to attack us in the very areas we fear the most.  It's only logical - if you were intent on hurting someone, you'd attack their fears. 

If you fear death, the devil may attack you with constant thoughts of impending ailments.  If you fear losing all your money, you may become obsessed with holding onto it. If you fear losing your loved ones, he may attack you with paranoid thoughts.  In this process he gains a victory. We become immobilized by our worries.

To gain freedom from our fears, we have to first recognize what they are and then turn them over to God. Once we are free from the hold they have on us - the evil one is rendered ineffective.

For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba Father."  Romans 8:15

Encouragement for the week:  God doesn't want us to be in bondage.  He wants us to be free - to live a blessed life.  Ridding ourselves of our fears is hard to do on our own and God is more than happy to help.  Verbally hand them over to God every morning.  Eventually they will lose their hold on you.