How Important Is It?

It's been said a few times in the course of human existence that "actions speak louder than words". I don't think anyone would debate the truthfulness of the statement.  It's pretty much a no-brainer.  For example, we know you can't simply tell someone you love them and that be enough.  You must show them you love them through your actions. You would also be hard-pressed to convince someone of someone else's dependability that never follows through on their promises.

But what happens when words aren't actually said but good intentions are made in the heart? What happens when those intentions are never followed through on?  Is the message the same? Let me give you an example.  The other day I was getting ready to pray.  Now - I have a prayer system that keeps me faithful to praying.  I'm not trying to toot my own horn.  Just trying to say I feel like I've made good progress in my prayer life.  But the other day it dawned on me that they are circumstances and/or people that require a little bit more than a simple toss onto my list.  They require a little extra prayer and fervency.

I thought I was doing good but the question occurred to me: "How important is it?"  I mean - I know people who are really going through some hard times.  Do I pray for them? Yes. Is that good to do? Yes.  But what about putting a little heart into my prayers?  Is my desire for God to work in their lives important enough for me to dedicate actual time (say more than a minute) praying for them? Do I want God to "kind of" affect their lives or do I want God to SUPERSIZE blessings in their lives?

Here's another example: I know of some people who dedicate themselves to praying faithfully for their child's future spouse.  So I ask myself the same question. How important is it?  Do I want to give my daughter an "advantage" when it comes to meeting her mate?  Of course, I do.  Is it important enough to pray for?  Absolutely.  Is it important enough to actually do and not just say.  I hope so.

All prayers are important.  It's just that I'm beginning to see a correlation between the type of prayer I pray and how important the prayer is to me.  My hope is that I'll learn to put more of my heart and effort into my prayers than just my words.

Sunday Blogvotional: Redirecting Our Worship

What is worship?  The dictionary describes it as: extravagant respect or admiration for or devotion to an object of esteem.  Of course we naturally relate the word "worship" with God.  But I wonder how worship actually plays out in our day to day lives.  What about all those things or people readily available and accepting of our worship?  How much time do we spend "worshiping" them? 

As a teenager - I assure you my "extravagant admiration" towards my favorite rock band was not a one day a week kind of action or emotion.  I, along with my fellow teeny-boppers ate, drank and slept all things relating to them.  You may think it's a silly comparison but ask yourself what you spend your time thinking about or doing?  How does that time compare with how much time you spend worshiping God? 

Of course "worship" isn't a word we often use to describe our other behaviors.   But maybe we should.  If we called worship what it was, maybe we'd have a better understanding of what we're doing.  Then we can redirect our worship back to the One who deserves it.

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

Encouragement for the week:  Give up something non-God-focusing today that you typically spend your time on.  Give that time back to God.

Sunday Blogvotional: Satan's Real Goal

When it comes to a spiritual battle many believe that Satan's whole goal is to "convert us" if you will.  To get us to turn away from God and to follow him.  Unfortunately this view causes many Christians to stop thinking of the devil as a threat because they're confident they'll never turn away from God.

The devil isn't dumb, though.  He knows some will never turn away from God but that doesn't mean he's not a threat. You see, he isn't necessarily trying to "turn" us.  He's trying to neutralize us.  All he has to do is distract us - to keep us caught up in the trials or joys of life that we forget our purpose. 

When we take our eyes off the real battle, he's essentially taken us out of the game.  One less warrior on the field keeping him from winning the next battle.  If he can render us ineffective Christians, he has more power and more freedom to influence the world as he sees fit.   

But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:3

Encouragement for the week:  Pray everyday when you wake up that your eyes will be open to see how Satan is trying to distract you.  Pray against it.  You are not meant simply to exist - you have a purpose.  Don't let yourself be taken out of the fight. 

Praying For Your Spouse

I think for most of us married folk it's safe to say we love our spouse and want the best for them. But maybe, more often than we'd like to admit, we fail to pray for them on a consistent basis.

For years I was sporadic in praying for my husband. Once I finally found a praying plan that worked for me, I then incorporated praying for my husband into that system.  It's amazing how God works. With consistent prayer I began to see God working in my husband's life. Some things I could notice right away while others took more time.

Prayer is one of those things you have to pay attention to. Otherwise how will you notice when an answer comes your way? Praying consistently will help you be aware and notice the changes God is making through your prayer life.

For a lot of us the problem with praying is not that we don't have a desire to pray. Instead it's that we get overwhelmed and simply don't know where to begin.  Sometimes we just need a little bit of help and encouragement to get us started.  Below are a couple of 30 day prayer guides I created to help get you on your way to being a more consistent prayer warrior for your spouse. 

*30 Days of Prayer for your Wife (Click to get your free printable copy)

*30 Days of Prayer for your Husband (Click to get your free printable copy)

Mark Batterson said in The Circle Maker: "The greatest tragedy in life is the prayers that go unanswered because they go unasked."  We want to bless our spouses. There's no better way to begin doing that than with prayer.   I promise you that over time you WILL see the effects of your prayers on your spouse. Delaying to pray only delays the blessings.  So commit to start the flow of blessings now!

Sunday Blogvotional: Don't Be So Hard On the Doubter

So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." John 20:25-29

Have you ever thought that when Jesus said to "Doubting Thomas", "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." it meant Thomas would not have a blessed life and was suddenly the black sheep of the twelve?  If so, consider the passage differently.

There are many dedicated Christians who struggle with needing proof.  They constantly long for and need signs from God.  When Jesus spoke those words maybe He was simply explaining the difference between people who don't need proof and those that do.  One group is blessed by living a life of peaceful faith and acceptance while the other group often needs reassurance in what they believe (their peace is almost conditional). 

We are all wired differently with different personalities but this reality doesn't mean God prefers or values one group over the other.  We see this by the way Jesus interacted with Thomas.  Jesus didn't shun him or kick him out of the "twelve".  Jesus entered the room, reached out His hands and gave Thomas what he needed.  He showed Thomas His scars and then went a step further by inviting him to touch the scars as well.  These are not actions of a man who was annoyed by someone's need for proof but rather the actions of a man who loves.

Encouragement for the week:   God knows our personalities.  He knows what triggers our doubts.  He loves and values us whether we need "proof" or not.  He will always meet us where we are and help us get where He knows we can be.

It's Not Easy Being A Parent

As a parent we sometimes have to make tough decisions with regards to our children's wants.  In a child's eyes it's a simple "yes" or "no" question.  But in reality there's more to our answer than that.  We often have to evaluate the effect giving them what they want will have on not only them but on other family members as well.

If I give Johnny something, then don't I need to give Suzie and Bobby something as well?  Or what if giving Bobby what he wants means I'm actually encouraging him not to work for it on his own.  Just because I may have the ability to give freely doesn't necessarily mean I should.  Other factors may be in play.

Not too long ago I put myself in a child's position as I asked God for something.  What I was asking for didn't seem like that big of a deal.  But then I believe God put it on my heart that not everything is as it seems.  The decisions God makes in my life do have an affect on those (my brothers and sisters) around me.  I was reminded that God has the responsibility of caring for the good of all His children.  And sometimes that means our desires are either put on hold or simply won't happen.

Here's an example:  You pray and pray for God to help you get your dream job.  But what if you not getting your dream job leads you into another position - a position where you will actually reach more souls?  The result is better for God's whole family not just the happiness of one.

Sometimes the decisions God makes seems like He's being mean or that He doesn't care.  But if we look at it from His perspective we see that He sometimes has to make difficult choices.  Yes, sometimes we get our feelings hurt when the answer isn't what we want.  But if we can remember God's responsible for the whole and not just the parts, those decisions start to make a little more sense.  And then maybe we can be satisfied knowing our sacrifices (or the sacrifices made on our behalf) are helping make our family healthier and stronger.