The Power of Prayer (Forgiveness)

Recently I found myself very disappointed in someone I considered a good friend. They did something to me that I felt (and still feel) was totally unacceptable and it was hard for me to swallow. I knew that I needed to forgive them and let it go but I just couldn't wrap my head around it at the time.

Not wanting to hold a grudge, I began to quote any and every scripture I could remember (and maybe a few I made up) on forgiveness. But it seemed the moment I stopped quoting scripture, I got mad all over again.

Throughout that week, I kept rehearsing what happened and when I shared it with my husband and my sister, I got even angrier - it was like every time I told the story, the fire was being fueled. So I decided that I needed to stop talking about it because that was not helping the situation.

I'm sure you have all been there before ...maybe it wasn't a friend, perhaps it was a sibling, a co-worker, a neighbor or even someone at church. Whoever it was, they crossed you in some form or fashion and raised your blood pressure. You found yourself on this never ending cycle of anger because you couldn't quite let it go.

In time, I realized that forgiveness is very hard in our own power... and at some point, I cleared my head and took it to God in prayer ...and yet again, God amazed me with his ability to bring an inner peace in the midst of any situation.

Prayer is by far the greatest weapon we have. Prayer causes you to change your perspective on things.

While in prayer, God reminded me of the many times I had turned my back on Him. The many times I had disappointed Him. Yet, not once has He held back his forgiveness towards me.

He also reminded me that no one except Him is flawless, so I must not put people on a pedestal or expect them to never let me down. Yes, we expect certain things like respect from our friends, however at some point, we have probably all disrespected someone we cared about. How is it that we expect people to always be willing to forgive us but when the tables are turned - watch out!

Through prayer, I realized it was alright for me to be hurt by the situation, but it wasn't alright for me to dwell there. God healed my wounds and gave me the courage to step back out and not allow this situation to dictate my mood, attitude or behavior towards the person who offended me.

There is something to be said about the power of prayer ...next time I won't wait so long to use it!




Written by Tanya James, Founder and president of The Master Plan. Tanya James is the author of From Promiscuity to Proverbs 31: Getting Off the Fence of Sexual Immorality. For more information about Tanya, log onto www.armedanddangerous.biz or www.themasterplan.biz.

THE WORLD IS MINE

Today, upon a bus, I saw a very beautiful woman
And wished I were as beautiful.
When suddenly she rose to leave,
I saw her hobble down the aisle.
She had one leg and used a crutch.
But as she passed, she passed a smile.
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.
I have two legs; the world is mine.

I stopped to buy some candy.
The lad who sold it had such charm.
I talked with him, he seemed so glad.
If I were late, it'd do no harm.
And as I left, he said to me,
"I thank you, you've been so kind.
It's nice to talk with folks like you.
You see," he said, "I'm blind."
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.
I have two eyes; the world is mine.

Later while walking down the street,
I saw a child I knew.
He stood and watched the others play,
but he did not know what to do.
I stopped a moment and then I said,
"Why don't you join them dear?"
He looked ahead without a word.
I forgot, he couldn't hear.
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.
I have two ears; the world is mine.

With feet to take me where I'd go..
With eyes to see the sunset's glow.
With ears to hear what I'd know.
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.
I've been blessed indeed, the world is mine.

~ Arthur Unknown~

This is just a simple reminder that we have so much to be thankful for! Give the gift of love. It never comes back empty!

Build Your Trust

(REBUILD YOUR THINKING BY STUDYING GOD’S WORD AND TRUSTING HIM)

In the book of Exodus chpt 7-12 Moses listened to God over and over again (11 times to be exact) and did exactly what He had told him. Even though each time he went back Pharoah’s heart was just as hard, Moses did not give up and He continued to listen to what God had told him. God never told Moses in the beginning how many time he would have to go to Pharoah, so I’m sure after like the 5th time it must have been VERY DIFFICULT, but Moses trusted God and he kept going back, he kept on believing.

I think of how many times I’ve given up and gotten weary because the things that God has told me to do seem to not be working. The people he’s told me to minister to don’t seem to hear me or give me the time of day. Yet, the burden remains for me to help them.

In my relationship with God there has not always been a great level of trust. So over the years I’ve had to learn that although He doesn’t give me everything I want, He’s always given me much more than I’ve needed. And the fact that He hasn’t given me everything that I’ve asked Him for is so good! I’ve asked God for many things that would harm me and the calling on my life not being aware of the fact that it would.

I’m so sure I’m not the only one. So what I’ve done and continue to do is build on my relationship with Him and trust Him more and more. With trust come peace. That peace that people do a double take and look back at you, like “Why isn’t she/he falling apart right now?”

So has God given you very specific instructions, and a very unique assignment? Do people laugh at you or ignore you when you go to them with it? I want to tell you to never give up! Do what He has commanded you even if you never get to see the results! Martin Luther King Jr. never got to see President Obama in the white house, yet he marched and he marched didn’t he?

MARCH, GO, and may God’s plans always be yours.

Shared by The Relationship Stuff

IT FALLS WHEN YOU NEED IT

The treasures of heaven fall upon the body like a mantle when you need it. Your position must be one of movement. We find the Lord moves after you. How else can David write in Psalm 23 that goodness and mercy would follow him all the days of his life?  If you are bound by present fear let this encourage and empower you.

I am an introvert and public speaking produces for me a great fear, but I am here to tell you, It Falls when you need it. In the last few weeks, I have had many speaking engagements and each one was not without fear, however I can tell you, It falls when you need it and the peace of God that passes understanding and the wisdom of God produces the required fruit.

Some may say “Lord I am waiting for your power.” It falls when you need it. Not a moment sooner. While I am in the chair waiting to speak, I am afraid. While walking to the platform and then right before I speak, the mantle falls. It falls when you need it. Do not fear today. God will show up, you only have to move first to see his power.

Single person waiting on the Lord? God moves after you. Struggling married person waiting on the Lord? God moves after you. It falls when you need it, but only after you move first.

Walking in Christ is no different than receiving salvation. For one only receives salvation after they confess with their mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in the their heart that God raised them from the dead. It falls when you need it, only after you move first.

Post courtesy of Roger Tharpe

Scripture Meditation ~ Breaking The Chains

Some sat in darkness and the deepest gloom, prisoners suffering in iron chains, for they had rebelled against the words of God and despised the counsel of the Most High. Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away their chains. Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men, for he breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron. (Psa. 107:10,11,13-16 NIV)

Questions:

What grips you?

What has seized you?

What has you in its grasp?

Is there anything that makes you do what you do not want to do? 

Prayer: LORD, not all chains are made of iron. The pit of depression, the grip of addiction, or the pain of heartbreak and loss can be as strong as any chain of iron. I am grateful that You are able to deliver out of any kind of prison or break away any chains, no matter what they are made of. You can set me free anytime, anywhere, from anything that holds me in bondage. Give me courage to cry out to You and faith to believe that You hear me and will help me. Thank You that no matter how I feel, I am not alone, because You care about everything that concerns my life. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Build On The Rock

 
I’ve seen so many people try to build their loving relationships without Christ. This is impossible to do. You may stay together but being in love is so much better. I mean being alive isn’t enough, you have to be living! A man spends his life in jail, he’s alive but living, not. Most of us want more out of life, that’s why we do our best not to commit crimes that will land us in prison for life!

So to be in a prison of a relationship can be just as bad. A relationship can’t thrive unless God is in it. One of my favorite movies is “Not Easily Broken.” One of the things the Pastor told the newly married couple is that God had to always be in their relationship and the one steering the ship. Meaning, even though you want to do things your way, God’s word and His ways need to come above that, or else your relationship can end in shambles.

So I’m keeping it plane and simple today, only build on a solid foundation of Christ. God is the creator of relationships so He can be trusted.

Post courtesy of The Relationship Stuff

Scripture Meditation

7 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. (1 Pet 4:7 NKJV)

There are many scriptures that will back up a praying life style such as this one: 13 I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life. 14 And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. 15 And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for. (1 John 5:13-15 - NLT)

Ever tried to have a relationship with someone you never talk with?  That's never worked for me. How about for you?

Prayer: 
LORD, with so many things demanding my time every day, I fail to make time to pray as I should. Help me quiet the shouts for attention in my mind and do what I must do to maintain our relationship. I want a strong, dynamic relationship with You, and it begins with prayer. You are available, so it is up to me. Help me make it happen. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Block Haters

 
The Christian that turns their nose up to other Christians that are not in their opinion saved enough or saved at all are not being godly or spiritual, but they are in fact being worldly (ungodly).

Whether you turn your nose up in private or prideful in public, God still sees the direction in which it’s in.
Good relationships are hard to come by and keep when your heart is rooted and grounded in prideful, judgmental hate.

If this is you, do everyone a favor and start loving yourself so that you may love others and God.

1 John 4:19-21
 We love, because He first loved us. If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.


Post shared via Relationship Stuff

God's Word vs. Your Feelings

Every day, we are faced with a decision: Will we respond to life's circumstances according to God's Word or will we react emotionally? The initial temptation is to react emotionally, but in every circumstance, it's truly your decision. 

Let's examine three circumstances you're going to have to face at some point in your life. I've also included some questions to ask yourself, which I encourage you to answer honestly. They will give you a good idea of how big a part your feelings play in these circumstances.

Circumstance #1: Change

Everything changes except God, and letting all the changes in our lives upset us won't keep them from occurring. People change, circumstances change, our bodies change, our desires and passions change. 

Most changes take place without our permission. But we can choose to adapt. Adapting doesn't change the circumstances, but it does keep you living in peace and joy as you go through change.

First Things First

Our thoughts are the first thing we need to deal with during change because thoughts directly affect emotions. When circumstances change, make the transition mentally, and your emotions will be a lot easier to manage. If something changes that you are not ready for and did not choose, you will more than likely have a variety of emotions about it.

The Power of God's Word

“Emotions rise up and then move out, wanting us to follow them. When I feel that, I know I need to take action.”

By acting on God's Word and not merely reacting to the situation, you'll be able to manage your emotions instead of allowing them to manage you. I strongly recommend confessing the Word of God out loud. Even though what you confess may be the opposite of how you feel, keep doing it. God's Word has inherent power to change our feelings, bring comfort to us, and quiet our distraught emotions.

Ask Yourself

1. How do I respond to change?
2. Do I act on God's Word or merely react to the situation?
3. After the initial shock, am I willing to make a transition mentally and emotionally?

Circumstance #2: Waiting

If you have not developed patience, then having to wait may bring out the worst in you. At least that was the case with me until I finally realized my emotional reactions were not making things go any faster. 

We would all like to be patient, but we don't want to develop patience because that means behaving well while we are not getting what we want. And that's hard!

The Road to Peacefulness

The more we want something, the more our emotions will act up if we do not get it. Common sense tells us it is rather foolish to get into a rage over a parking space or other simple things people tend to get upset about. As you develop patience, don't merely think about how hard and frustrating it is, think about how peaceful you will be when waiting never bothers you (see James 1:4).

Ask Yourself

1. How do I behave when I have to wait?
2. What situations are difficult for me?
3. How do I act when I'm working with someone who is really slow?
4. How do I act if someone takes the parking space I've been waiting for?
5. On a scale of 1 to 10, how well do I handle myself when things don't go my way?

Circumstance #3: Difficult People

No one likes being around difficult people. I think there are a lot of people in the world like that today, largely because of the stressful lives most of them have. People are trying to do too much in too little time and have more responsibility than they can realistically handle. 

When someone is rude to me, I can feel my emotions rise up and then move out, wanting me to follow them. That's when I know I need to take action. I have to remember that the person being rude probably has a lot of problems. She may not even realize how she sounds.

Working with the Holy Spirit

I certainly remember lots of times in my life when people asked me why I was being so harsh. I didn't realize that I was. I just had a lot going on and felt pressured, so the pressure came through in harsh voice tones. That didn't excuse my bad behavior, but it was the root of the problem. 

I am very thankful I know the Word of God and have Him in my life to help and comfort me. But a lot of difficult people don't have that. I have had to work very hard with the Holy Spirit for the ability to act on God's Word when people are rude…instead of merely reacting with a behavior that matches or tops theirs. 

Jesus teaches us how to respond to those who treat us well and those who do not (see Luke 6:32–35).

If you are in a situation that requires you to be with one of these hard-to-get-along-with people every day, I urge you to pray for them instead of reacting emotionally to them. Our prayers open a door for God to work through.

Ask Yourself

1. How do I react to people who are rude?
2. Do I respond in love as the Word says we should, or do I join them in their ungodly behavior?
3. Will I act on the Word of God and love them for His sake? Or will I react emotionally, perhaps acting worse than they act?
4. Have I ever let a rude person ruin my day?

Live Beyond Your Feelings

Feelings will come and go. We can't escape them, but we can choose to live by God's Word and not our feelings. Even when it doesn't feel right, we can live with an incredible peace and joy. I encourage you to go through the questions again and search God's Word in every circumstance you face. He will help you live beyond your feelings!

 
This article is taken from Joyce's book, Living BeyondYour Feelings.