Thursday, May 18, 2017

Faith Without Prayer Isn't


Sounds absolutely right doesn’t it? Faith without prayer isn’t.

I had a young woman tell me she believed in Jesus, but didn’t like to pray, didn’t feel the need to pray. She said Jesus knew everything about her; so, why should she waste her time telling Him what He already knows.

The Bible tells us that “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

Faith is believing God is who He says He is and can do what He says He can do.

But if you never pray, how is faith sustained? Is it not through prayer that we draw closer to God? Isn’t our faith about having a relationship with God? And how do we cultivate that relationship or listen to that still small voice if we don’t pray?

John Bunyan says, “Prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge for Satan.”

So I went on a mission to find out why prayer is an essential part of faith.

I found a wonderful article from Focus on the Family by Robert Velarde. I am going to recap it here, but if you would like to read the article in its entirety, please go to the link at the end of the post.

12 reasons to Pray:

1.     God’s Word Calls Us to Pray. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6

2.     Jesus Prayed Regularly. “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Luke 5:16

3.     Prayer is How We Communicate with God. “…if my people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

4.     Prayer Allows us to Participate in God’s Works. “Does God need our help? No. He is all powerful and in control of everything in His creation. Why do we need to pray? Prayer helps others know the love of Jesus. Prayer is part of His plan for accomplishing His will in this world.

5.     Prayers Gives Us Power Over Evil. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” Matthew 26:41

6.     Prayer Is Always Available. Prayer can happen at any time or anywhere. The only thing that keeps us from praying is our choice to do so.

7.     Prayer Keeps Us Humble. “Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:4

8.     Prayer Grants Us the Privilege of Experiencing God. It’s during prayer that we feel closer to God. It’s during prayer that we begin to let the worries of the world slid by and we are faced with the greatest of offerings, peace.

9.     Answered Prayer is a Potential Witness.

10.  Prayers Strengthens the Bonds Between Believers.

11.  Prayer Can Succeed Where Other Means Have Failed.

12.  Prayer Fulfills Emotional Needs. C. S. Lewis said, “God designed the human machine to run On Himself. He Himself is the fuel our spirits were designed to burn, or the food our spirits were designed to feed on. There is no other.”

 Prayer is essential to faith. It enriches our faith and draws us closer to God.

Take time today to go to God in prayer. If at first it feels uncomfortable, be persistent. In a short while you will be looking forward to your time set aside for Jesus. Your reward will be immeasurable and gratifying, drawing you closer and closer into a rich relationship with the Father.
Faith without prayer just isn't.

God bless you, Angela










Friday, May 12, 2017

Faith Meets at the Cross


Dreams kept piercing my sleep. Overlaying images caused intense restlessness until one night I finally got up, grabbed paper and a pen, and began to draw. This is not the first time this has happened. Draw? Really? I kept telling Christ, “I’m not a sketcher.” Still, I felt the deep desire to draw what I kept seeing in my dreams, images and words.

As you can see, I kept it very elemental. I have prayed over this image for weeks. I kept wondering if there was more to it than the simple words that I saw. But there’s not. It’s simple. Faith meets at the cross. That’s where we find our Shepherd, Redeemer, and the powerful blood of Jesus Christ that was shed for us. It’s all wrapped up here.

Shepherd. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” John 10:11

Redeemer. “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.” Isaiah 43:1

Blood and power of Jesus. By faith you see His face, His torment, His love poured out on the cross. For all suffering, God has a plan. At the cross, we are humbled to see the glorious exhibition of God’s love – one we cannot fully comprehend in our human state. But we are told it’s Jesus’ blood that offers mankind redemption and freedom from the bondage of sin.

“Now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been made near by the blood of Christ.” Ephesians 2:13

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” Ephesians 1:7

At the Last Supper, Christ explained to His diciples, “For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Matthew 26:28

Songs upon songs have cried out the blessings in the power of Christ’s blood.

“What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. Oh! Precious is the flow that makes me white as snow; no other font I know, nothing but the blood of Jesus!”

The Good Shepherd shed His blood for us. He was the last sacrifice and we can trust the righteousness of Christ. Every day I ponder Christ’s sacrifice. I want to honor Christ by remembering and living my life to glorify Him. I’ve been rescued out of a sinful life. 1 Peter 1:18-19 states, “You were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.”

Thank you, Father.

I also know Christ, the Good Shepherd, is still working on me, leading me, and protecting me. Because of His death, I am redeemed. The power of Jesus’ blood offers me salvation for my soul, forgiveness for my sins, access to God and victory over Satan. Praise God.

Remembering is important. It keeps your mind focused and your heart engaged to do the good works Christ has prepared in advance. Remembering keeps us headed in the right direction. When we are Christ focused, our burdens are light and our joy is abundant. Even in hard times we still sing a song of victory because of Jesus’ sacrifice. This is when remembering is even more crucial.

Praise be to God, our Shepherd, Redeemer, and Deliverer, Jesus Christ!

Take a moment today to reflect on all that Christ has done for you. Never forget His sacrifice to give you a life of purpose and commitment to Him.

God bless you,

Angela