How many times, when praying, have I had the thought run through the back of my mind, "oh man, that will never happen"? Plenty, that's for sure. And for a while I didn't think anything of it. I was under the assumption it was normal, or okay to have those thoughts. I mean, isn't the whole purpose of prayer to ask God for help, or support or guidance? Yes, of course it is. But I've learned through the years that there is more to prayer than just folding your hands and asking God for a million bucks!
Never in my life have I had more answered prayer than in this past year and I believe it has nothing to do with luck or favor, rather the strength of my relationship with the Lord and, what I call my "prayer attitude." It's laid out for us pretty clearly in the Scriptures that prayer must be a cornerstone in the building of our faith.
But when he asks, he should believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. James 1:6
Believe in what you are asking of the Lord! It's not simply good enough to ask. For prayer to be powerful requires a faith of insurmountable proportion so that you can truly see, feel and experience the answer to the prayer as, or before, you pray. Herein lies the fundamental paradox of prayer: while prayer builds faith, faith builds prayer. To have powerful prayer you must have powerful faith.
And finally, be thankful for the answered prayer before it is answered. Giving thanks prior to the coming of the answer builds faith and strengthens the foundation of belief. You certainly wouldn't give thanks for something you didn't receive, therefore, giving thanks builds faith, confidence and belief in God and your relationship with him.
This is the day that the Lord has made...
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
No Control
Once again this morning I am reminded of how little control I have over life, and, how most of the things I thought I was in control of, really, I wasn't. And thank God I wasn't because the course that I was taking was not nearly as amazing as that of God.
I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps. Jeremiah 10:23
I feel, or more appropriately, know that at the top of the list of challenges for all people, including myself, is that of giving up the reins of life. Knowing that God loves me and always has my best interest, now but more importantly, in the future, in mind when he laid out my life path. However, when you're standing in a room full of horse manure, many times it's hard to recognize that somewhere there is a horse!
Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self controlled; set your hopes fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1Peter 1:13
It is in the mind that the battle for control takes place and 1 Peter says it eloquently. Open your mind to see what is possible for your life and be prepared to take action on the nudgings and directives of the Holy Spirit. Take control of the one thing you can control, your mind, so that you might live according to the greatest commandments. And lastly, keep your eyes focused on Jesus and the unending, undeserved blessings that he has for you.
While control of life and the circumstances set before us can never be controlled, I often feel that the Lord is watching my response to them. For when I live, controlling my thoughts and actions accordingly, even the darkest, scariest and most fearful of circumstances can be survived by keeping our eyes on the Lord and our mind open to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps. Jeremiah 10:23
I feel, or more appropriately, know that at the top of the list of challenges for all people, including myself, is that of giving up the reins of life. Knowing that God loves me and always has my best interest, now but more importantly, in the future, in mind when he laid out my life path. However, when you're standing in a room full of horse manure, many times it's hard to recognize that somewhere there is a horse!
Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self controlled; set your hopes fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1Peter 1:13
It is in the mind that the battle for control takes place and 1 Peter says it eloquently. Open your mind to see what is possible for your life and be prepared to take action on the nudgings and directives of the Holy Spirit. Take control of the one thing you can control, your mind, so that you might live according to the greatest commandments. And lastly, keep your eyes focused on Jesus and the unending, undeserved blessings that he has for you.
While control of life and the circumstances set before us can never be controlled, I often feel that the Lord is watching my response to them. For when I live, controlling my thoughts and actions accordingly, even the darkest, scariest and most fearful of circumstances can be survived by keeping our eyes on the Lord and our mind open to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Monday, January 10, 2011
One of the more difficult concepts for me to understand and comprehend, yet is what makes me hold to faith even stronger during challenging times, is that God chose me to be in his kingdom before I chose him. To know that I matter, that I count, that somebody wants me brings joy to my heart and peace to my mind. For so many, including myself, it is important to be and feel like we are a part of something bigger than ourselves.
The feeling of being alone in this world is scary and depressing. With all of our abilities to make this world a smaller place through media, communication and the internet, there are still friends, acquaintances and family members that go through daily life disconnected from everyone- feeling all alone. Somehow, some way, these people are to be introduced to Jesus and to know that they are a part of something bigger than them, more powerful than they can imagine and more perfect than they can dream.
"To God's elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout..., who have been chosen according to the foreknowldege of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and Peace be yours in abundance."
Being a part of the chosen family God has perks- grace and peace. And not just some, or a little, but an abundance of it. What does that mean though-grace and peace? Grace is a reflection of God's love for us in that we receive more than we deserve. God, through his Grace, gives us all that we require and then some, no matter what type of situations or challenges that we may be facing. God is enough. And peace is a state of unlimited balance and harmony.
To be chosen by God to live with his favor, with his strength going before us and with harmony and tranquility- all overflowing and more than we can comprehend- is what belonging to the Lord brings about. Praise him today for his grace and peace in abundance in our lives.
The feeling of being alone in this world is scary and depressing. With all of our abilities to make this world a smaller place through media, communication and the internet, there are still friends, acquaintances and family members that go through daily life disconnected from everyone- feeling all alone. Somehow, some way, these people are to be introduced to Jesus and to know that they are a part of something bigger than them, more powerful than they can imagine and more perfect than they can dream.
"To God's elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout..., who have been chosen according to the foreknowldege of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and Peace be yours in abundance."
Being a part of the chosen family God has perks- grace and peace. And not just some, or a little, but an abundance of it. What does that mean though-grace and peace? Grace is a reflection of God's love for us in that we receive more than we deserve. God, through his Grace, gives us all that we require and then some, no matter what type of situations or challenges that we may be facing. God is enough. And peace is a state of unlimited balance and harmony.
To be chosen by God to live with his favor, with his strength going before us and with harmony and tranquility- all overflowing and more than we can comprehend- is what belonging to the Lord brings about. Praise him today for his grace and peace in abundance in our lives.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Rebuked
I sat down yesterday morning to continue writing about needs, wants and desires and the Holy Spirit rebuked me. "What makes you think you know more about this than I?" was the message I was given. For a few minutes I continued to search scripture for verses and dialogue that supported my points, and, in the end, I could not find any. I got it Lord. Loud and clear. So I prayed instead of writing yesterday.
When I finished my quiet time with Lord, I wanted to read scripture for a while. I had just finished the book of Acts and was needing a new book to study. Earlier, while searching, I ran across a verse from 2 Timothy that caught my eye so I decided to start with that small book.
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 2Timothy 1:7
It is easy to get excited thinking about having more power and more love in our lives through the Holy Spirit. It's the self-discipline that's the kicker. Self discipline is having the ability to listen to the spirit and follow his lead, rather than going on your own. Self discipline is about not giving into the wants, needs and desires of the flesh of this world in return for the salvation, glory and honor of Heaven.
What do you think, how do you act, where do you go, who do you hang out with, etc when no one is watching? If you knew no one would find out, would you skip your morning reading for a few minutes of extra sleep? Or, if you were in private, would you find a XXX website? If you've been told, and you know that certain people are trouble, would you still choose to hang out with them if you could? Self discipline is having the internal fortitude to the stay the course, follow Christ and live according to his will EVEN when no one is looking.
I could have continued writing on my previous topics and no one would have known about my scolding from the Holy Spirit. But I would, and, in the end, that is what matters.
When I finished my quiet time with Lord, I wanted to read scripture for a while. I had just finished the book of Acts and was needing a new book to study. Earlier, while searching, I ran across a verse from 2 Timothy that caught my eye so I decided to start with that small book.
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 2Timothy 1:7
It is easy to get excited thinking about having more power and more love in our lives through the Holy Spirit. It's the self-discipline that's the kicker. Self discipline is having the ability to listen to the spirit and follow his lead, rather than going on your own. Self discipline is about not giving into the wants, needs and desires of the flesh of this world in return for the salvation, glory and honor of Heaven.
What do you think, how do you act, where do you go, who do you hang out with, etc when no one is watching? If you knew no one would find out, would you skip your morning reading for a few minutes of extra sleep? Or, if you were in private, would you find a XXX website? If you've been told, and you know that certain people are trouble, would you still choose to hang out with them if you could? Self discipline is having the internal fortitude to the stay the course, follow Christ and live according to his will EVEN when no one is looking.
I could have continued writing on my previous topics and no one would have known about my scolding from the Holy Spirit. But I would, and, in the end, that is what matters.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Resolution of Needs
Yesterday I was focused understanding needs and how, when fully committed to the Lord, our needs can be met naturally, and, supernaturally. I've decided to continue delving into these topics of needs, wants and desires over the next few days of writing, in an effort to gain more clarity in my thinking and understanding.
Living life in a constant state of lack, whether it be emotionally, financially or spiritually, forces the heart and mind to act in an unhealthy and unloving manner. Living in perpetual state of need causes the focus of life to be on you, rather than on serving God (and others), which is where he has told us we should focus.
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Mark 10:45
When the focus of life is you, it is easy to look around and see what is "missing" in your life compared to "what's available" in life. This in turn creates needs, which are nothing more than the manifestation of the lack of faith in the Lord.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. James 1:2-8
Resolving needs arises from returning our focus of life to the Lord. For we know that he is mighty, powerful and has the will to bless us beyond our comprehension, when we lay down our life, and pick up his.
One who uses the word "need" inappropriately, as in using it to state a directive or desire, has lost focus in life, and, consequently, if you look and dig deep enough, will not have the level of love in life that they desire. "I need you to do...", "I need a new ....", "I need more..." are all phrases used by someone living in lack.
Yes, I know, we do have needs, and unfortunately for some, they are not being met. Yet needs are basic, fundamental necessities for existence- things like food, shelter, clothing, family, love. This, however, is not the level of need that we are discussing. For individuals living with lack mentality or "poverty consciousness", the conversation in the mind is always the same...."I need....".
So, how do I change? How do I lose the focus on me, on what is lacking in my life? How do I stop saying and thinking "I need..."? I wish I had all the answers, but I don't. I leave all the answers to the One who does have them all. Which, I feel, is where the change starts: by changing your focus in life. Get off of you and onto Him and I can promise an immediate change in the quality of life and love in your life. When I focus on the bigness of God and all that he controls, it's easier to see how perfect my life is...for me. Focus on God. Who cares what the Anderson's "have" or "don't have"! Turn the focus upward and inward.
Along with that, start paying closer attention to the words you use because words have power and meaning both to you, the speaker, to God the observer, and to the receiver of those words.
For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. Matthew 12:37
Substitute higher, positive energy words into your vocabulary when speaking of things you perceive as necessary in your life: "I would love a new car", "I would like a vacation right now", "Would you please (insert action here)". By changing the words you choose you can change the way you think. And, we all know that our mind is constant battlefield.
I pray that the Spirit has touched you in a powerful way today and I, personally, hope that you continue to follow along as I explore wants and desires in my upcoming writings. God is good...all the time. He me more than my mind can comprehend, and, because of that love, I am free to serve him with all my heart, mind, soul and body.
Living life in a constant state of lack, whether it be emotionally, financially or spiritually, forces the heart and mind to act in an unhealthy and unloving manner. Living in perpetual state of need causes the focus of life to be on you, rather than on serving God (and others), which is where he has told us we should focus.
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Mark 10:45
When the focus of life is you, it is easy to look around and see what is "missing" in your life compared to "what's available" in life. This in turn creates needs, which are nothing more than the manifestation of the lack of faith in the Lord.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. James 1:2-8
Resolving needs arises from returning our focus of life to the Lord. For we know that he is mighty, powerful and has the will to bless us beyond our comprehension, when we lay down our life, and pick up his.
One who uses the word "need" inappropriately, as in using it to state a directive or desire, has lost focus in life, and, consequently, if you look and dig deep enough, will not have the level of love in life that they desire. "I need you to do...", "I need a new ....", "I need more..." are all phrases used by someone living in lack.
Yes, I know, we do have needs, and unfortunately for some, they are not being met. Yet needs are basic, fundamental necessities for existence- things like food, shelter, clothing, family, love. This, however, is not the level of need that we are discussing. For individuals living with lack mentality or "poverty consciousness", the conversation in the mind is always the same...."I need....".
So, how do I change? How do I lose the focus on me, on what is lacking in my life? How do I stop saying and thinking "I need..."? I wish I had all the answers, but I don't. I leave all the answers to the One who does have them all. Which, I feel, is where the change starts: by changing your focus in life. Get off of you and onto Him and I can promise an immediate change in the quality of life and love in your life. When I focus on the bigness of God and all that he controls, it's easier to see how perfect my life is...for me. Focus on God. Who cares what the Anderson's "have" or "don't have"! Turn the focus upward and inward.
Along with that, start paying closer attention to the words you use because words have power and meaning both to you, the speaker, to God the observer, and to the receiver of those words.
For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. Matthew 12:37
Substitute higher, positive energy words into your vocabulary when speaking of things you perceive as necessary in your life: "I would love a new car", "I would like a vacation right now", "Would you please (insert action here)". By changing the words you choose you can change the way you think. And, we all know that our mind is constant battlefield.
I pray that the Spirit has touched you in a powerful way today and I, personally, hope that you continue to follow along as I explore wants and desires in my upcoming writings. God is good...all the time. He me more than my mind can comprehend, and, because of that love, I am free to serve him with all my heart, mind, soul and body.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Needs
A word that permeates our conversations, whether you are 10 years old or 60, is the word- need. As I am engaged in conversations with friends, my children, other family members and people I work with, I am struck by the number of times a "need" is involved.
I looked up the definition of need, and there are many, yet they all seem focus on two concepts- lack and requirement. For the most part, when using the word need in a sentence structure indicates that the one speaking is lacking something in their life. We, as adults, can spend a lot of time living from the lack perspective. Especially if, and when, we get caught up in the world and take our eyes off the goal. When we forget to count our blessings and give thanks for all the abundance the Lord has given us, that word "need" begins to creep into our heads, hearts and words.
A close friend of mine and I frequently discuss the concept of conscious vs. unconscious parenting. When parenting in the un-mode, it is easy to use the word need with our children. "I need you to clean up your room", "I need 15 minutes of quiet time", etc. How many times have we all used statements like that? A lot! Need is almost the default verb or noun for most of the directives we give our children.
So why all the time focused on "need" today? I think it is important for us to understand the difference between needs, wants and desires. Some might say it's semantics, but I disagree. The difference emotionally and psychologically between needs, wants and desires is huge. The three words cannot be successfully interchanged, as so many do, and produce healthy, emotionally and spiritually-engaged minds.
Let's just understand that their is a hierarchy with these three words and the higher the chain you climb, the more inspired your thoughts and actions are. Functioning at a needs level in life indicates that you are seeing your life as lacking, void, less than what it is. Needs indicate desperation, lack of inspiration. Needs are the basics of existence and if they aren't there, the survival is challenging. The need level of living is about survival.
Spiritually, the Scriptures outline the needs of a Christian in many ways. The basic necessities to survive as a Christian in this world are not many, yet profound. One of my favorite verses is in second Peter:
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
We need to know Jesus, and, by doing so, we open the abundance of the entire universe that God has created. We don't need to be perfect. We don't need to be blameless. We don't need to have great wealth or power. We don't need to be socially connected. By knowing Jesus, we have access to all that is necessary to live a healthful, prosperous and abundant life.
Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption of the world caused by evil desires. 2Peter 1:4
I looked up the definition of need, and there are many, yet they all seem focus on two concepts- lack and requirement. For the most part, when using the word need in a sentence structure indicates that the one speaking is lacking something in their life. We, as adults, can spend a lot of time living from the lack perspective. Especially if, and when, we get caught up in the world and take our eyes off the goal. When we forget to count our blessings and give thanks for all the abundance the Lord has given us, that word "need" begins to creep into our heads, hearts and words.
A close friend of mine and I frequently discuss the concept of conscious vs. unconscious parenting. When parenting in the un-mode, it is easy to use the word need with our children. "I need you to clean up your room", "I need 15 minutes of quiet time", etc. How many times have we all used statements like that? A lot! Need is almost the default verb or noun for most of the directives we give our children.
So why all the time focused on "need" today? I think it is important for us to understand the difference between needs, wants and desires. Some might say it's semantics, but I disagree. The difference emotionally and psychologically between needs, wants and desires is huge. The three words cannot be successfully interchanged, as so many do, and produce healthy, emotionally and spiritually-engaged minds.
Let's just understand that their is a hierarchy with these three words and the higher the chain you climb, the more inspired your thoughts and actions are. Functioning at a needs level in life indicates that you are seeing your life as lacking, void, less than what it is. Needs indicate desperation, lack of inspiration. Needs are the basics of existence and if they aren't there, the survival is challenging. The need level of living is about survival.
Spiritually, the Scriptures outline the needs of a Christian in many ways. The basic necessities to survive as a Christian in this world are not many, yet profound. One of my favorite verses is in second Peter:
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
We need to know Jesus, and, by doing so, we open the abundance of the entire universe that God has created. We don't need to be perfect. We don't need to be blameless. We don't need to have great wealth or power. We don't need to be socially connected. By knowing Jesus, we have access to all that is necessary to live a healthful, prosperous and abundant life.
Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption of the world caused by evil desires. 2Peter 1:4
Monday, January 3, 2011
Our Foundation
I often wonder if we, as Americans, take our freedom for granted? I am amazed at how many liberties we have and at the opportunities we have to express ourselves. So much so, that I, and I am sure many others would agree, believe we have lost touch with what life in America is really like and no matter how tough it may feel here, it is still the best and free-est place on Earth to live.
Reading in the book of Acts about Paul and his unlawful imprisonment got me thinking about this topic today. Here is Paul, traveling around the region sharing the teachings of Jesus and he gets thrown in jail because of his beliefs. Not because he threatened anyone or cursed anyone, but simply because he believed in the resurrection of the dead.
How blessed by God is our nation that we have the freedom to express our beliefs publicly and openly! As I pray this morning I can't help but wonder the consequences of our leaders' decisions to increase the separation of Church and State. Simple things like stopping the pledge of allegiance in schools or changing its words to exclude God have got to push our Lord to edge of his seat. The secular society and it's over-reaching desire for Political Correctness is edging God out of our society, even though we were built on the foundations of God fearing beliefs and Christian values.
We have freedoms because men and women died for us. We have everlasting life in Christ because he died for us. A lot has been sacrificed for us to enjoy the lives that we have been so blessed with. We, as a whole, must stop taking our freedoms and liberties for granted. And even more so, we must continue to stand up for our God-centered views and the principles and values for which we stand.
I was once told that if you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anythings and be good nothing. I pray today that we, as Christians- men and women who live the best we can according to the teachings of Jesus- continue to stand up for each other and the sacrifices of those who have gone before us so that we might continue to enjoy of freedoms, liberties and the Lord's blessing. I fear the result of our nation losing sight of the principles upon which it was founded. Stand up. Praise God today. Give him the Glory and Honor he is so worthy of receiving. Do it today.
Reading in the book of Acts about Paul and his unlawful imprisonment got me thinking about this topic today. Here is Paul, traveling around the region sharing the teachings of Jesus and he gets thrown in jail because of his beliefs. Not because he threatened anyone or cursed anyone, but simply because he believed in the resurrection of the dead.
How blessed by God is our nation that we have the freedom to express our beliefs publicly and openly! As I pray this morning I can't help but wonder the consequences of our leaders' decisions to increase the separation of Church and State. Simple things like stopping the pledge of allegiance in schools or changing its words to exclude God have got to push our Lord to edge of his seat. The secular society and it's over-reaching desire for Political Correctness is edging God out of our society, even though we were built on the foundations of God fearing beliefs and Christian values.
We have freedoms because men and women died for us. We have everlasting life in Christ because he died for us. A lot has been sacrificed for us to enjoy the lives that we have been so blessed with. We, as a whole, must stop taking our freedoms and liberties for granted. And even more so, we must continue to stand up for our God-centered views and the principles and values for which we stand.
I was once told that if you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anythings and be good nothing. I pray today that we, as Christians- men and women who live the best we can according to the teachings of Jesus- continue to stand up for each other and the sacrifices of those who have gone before us so that we might continue to enjoy of freedoms, liberties and the Lord's blessing. I fear the result of our nation losing sight of the principles upon which it was founded. Stand up. Praise God today. Give him the Glory and Honor he is so worthy of receiving. Do it today.
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