It’s almost funny how some odd things of the Bible holds your interest. I’ve been reading the Old Testament in the chronological order and I am almost done, a bit of Nehemiah and then just Malachi left this time around. Anyway. About the odd things that keep you thinking. The prayer in chapter nine in Nehemiah is a powerful prayer…but…there’s no ‘Amen’ at the end. Does it even matter? This is what puzzled me. Amen is a beautiful word meaning…
Today I have a pleasure to welcome Jared Brock to Flowing Faith as a guest blogger. Jared is the author of A Year of Living Prayerfully, a humorous travel memoir about prayer. He is the cofounder of Hope for the Sold, an abolitionist charity that fights human trafficking one word at a time. Jared is happily married to his best friend, Michelle, whom he first kissed in the seventh grade. Here’s Jared: I recently traveled 37,000 miles around the world…
Are you spiritually protected? Do you use all the spiritual weapons God has placed at your disposal? Because, you should. That is the only way we can stand up to everything the Devil throws at our way. We really do need spiritual protection. More than we know. Because, as Paul put it, we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies but against against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world. 10 In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through…
Do you surrender to Jesus daily? Good for you if you do. It does not have to be anything extravagant. We can just whisper “I am yours, Lord” and experience God’s sweet, loving presence right then and there. I am Yours, therefore save me [Your own]; for I have sought (inquired of and for) Your precepts and required them [as my urgent need]. (Psalm 119:94, AMP) When we breath in the Spirit of God, we breath out our worries, regrets,…
Do you pray without ceasing? Do you spend enough time with Jesus? Here’s some incentive to pray more. I was reading the fifth chapter of The Revelation to John when I came across this “they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. (Rev.5:8, NIV) Our prayers are honored more than we can ever know. They are lovingly brought to God by angels. Our prayers join the eternal worship of God. Our prayers matter….
Do you know how to get through the impossible? It’s not a question about planning or working hard. It’s a question of knowing Who does the work through you. It’s God’s work to get through the impossible, not yours. Your part is still important though. Here are three steps to show you how to get through the impossible. They go nicely with the words of James Hudson Taylor “There are three stages to every great work of God; first it…
I always enjoy checking out the verse of the day provided by Biblegateway.com . Today I was blessed to read a familiar passage in the Message translation. It put it in a new light. The content is the same but the wording is so empowering. I will emphasize what especially touched my core being. “You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your…
Do you know that you’re called to zealous prayer life? For real. We are all called not just to pray once in awhile but to have zealous prayer life. Prayer is a gift from God to us. Just think about having a direct prayer line to God Almighty! Pretty awesome!! We are called to be faithful in prayer and to pray without ceasing. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope,…
It feels awful when you are not heard. It undermines your core being and it does not feel good. At all. But even though other people don’t value us or listen to us we have someone who always does. And that is Jesus. If he is our rock, no one can erode our foundation. Sometimes we complain that even God does not hear us. But he always does even when we feel that he doesn’t hear us. We are always…
As we approach Thanksgiving and other big family celebrations, it is good to remember how to be at peace in demanding situations. We can’t be peaceful without being centered on God. We can’t be gracious without resting in grace ourselves. We can’t be loving without feeling God’s love. What to do then? Before you enter into difficult situations (or any day for that matter) spend time with God. Not just a hasty prayer here and there but pray until praise…
