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Beverly Lussi

Perk Up Your Prayer Life

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It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, after He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray. . . “  
Luke 11:1 NASB

As a follower of Christ, I have enjoyed fellowship with Him for over 50 years now. However, being a creature of habit, time with God can become just that – HABIT – if I’m not careful. To develop a growing, vibrant relationship requires time, effort, desire, and a whole lot of love. The same applies to our prayer life.

Let’s look at the discipline of praying. Simply stated, it’s being with God, talking to and communing with Him, which includes, but isn’t limited to, praise and adoration, confession, thanksgiving, requests, appeals, and complaints.

How do you spend time in prayer with God? Do you do the same thing every day? Do you feel that your prayers are just falling to the floor and going nowhere? Has it become just a ritual?

If so, check out these recommendations to help bring new life to your prayer time.

  • Stand with hands lifted and pray aloud to the Father.
  • Go for a walk in the woods or the neighborhood, praying as you go – aka prayer walking.
  • Literally make space in your closet to get alone with God. The times I’ve done this have proven to be very intimate times with Him. In fact, I think I need to try that again soon.
  • Conversation is a two-way street. Intentionally implement times of silence to listen to God.
  • If physically possible, lay prostrate on the floor before the Lord. Consider kneeling or simply covering your head with a cloth to shut out distractions.
  • Meet with a friend at the playground and spend time together conversing with God while the kids play. After all, whoever said you had to bow your head and close your eyes to pray?

What a blessing to know the Father longs to be with us. Seek Him for His input as you converse with Him. Think outside the box; don’t be afraid to try something new when it comes to being in His presence and sharing life with Him.                                                                                                     [Digging deeper – 1 Kings 8:54; Matthew 6:6, 26:39; Mark 1:35, 6:46; Luke 18:13]

Starting anew,

Beverly <><

ANTICIPATION!!!

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When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.”
Luke 2:15 NASB

I ascended the stairs to the top of the platform. The instructor ran through the instructions one last time. Harness was properly fastened and stable; carabiners hooked and checked; helmet secure. I was ready to go. I leaped off the platform! Woooowheeeee! After all the waiting, I was not disappointed. It was my birthday present from my husband – two hours of ziplining!

Anticipation. It’s one of the spices of life. You plan and wait. The days seem to drag on forever. Then suddenly, the expectation you’ve longed for becomes a reality. There’s just nothing quite like it.

Amid the hoopla of the Christmas season, I encourage you to read the story of Jesus’ birth in a not so familiar translation (Luke 2). Read it with the expectancy that Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, Simeon, or Anna might have felt. Put yourself in their place and let your mind and emotions envision the hope and exhilaration of that first glance of baby Jesus – the Child – the Savior who is Christ the Lord – the Messiah! Imagine and feel the wonder of His birth as they held Him in their arms and kissed His little face.

May the anticipation of the celebration of Christ’s birthday and His imminent return find fresh meaning and a sense of renewed joy in your heart today and in the coming year. Merry Christmas, beloved ones, and be blessed beyond measure!

Eagerly awaiting,

Beverly <><

photo credit: Photo provided by: www.brianreese.com/images/Christmas/Nativity.jpg

When Your World is Rocked

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“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.”
Isaiah 7:14 NASB

What do you do when your world is rocked? You know, when something happens and everything, at least for the moment, changes and forces you to rearrange your life. Over the past few years, unforeseen incidents such as cancer, injuries from a car wreck, a retinal tear, and even brain surgery have shaken my husband and me to the very core of our being and sent us to our knees. . . often.

With Christmas quickly approaching, I find myself pondering the immense life changing experience of the young virgin Mary. She was engaged to marry Joseph; I expect her excitement in becoming a wife was like that of most women.

However, an unexpected visit and a ringing announcement from the angel Gabriel would forever alter Mary’s life. Chosen by God Himself, she was to be the mother of His son, Jesus Christ. The conception would be a miracle performed by the Holy Spirit. Wow! Talk about rocking her world!

I can only imagine the anticipation, uncertainty, and ridicule she must have experienced during the ensuing months. This young girl had to grow up in a hurry. She not only experienced the joy of pregnancy, but most likely the shameful gossip and unkindness displayed by those unaware of God’s purpose for her life. But, according to what we see in the Scriptures, she hung in there, never giving up or losing her faith.

Yes, Mary’s precious Child would be the very One to bring hope, help, and healing in her time of need and chaos, as well as ours. When our world turns upside down, rest assured Jesus is the Rock on which we can stand.  [Digging deeper – Ps. 18:2, 62:2; Matt.1:18-25; Luke 1:30-31, 2:7, 19, 33-35]

Because of Him,

Beverly <><