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Unlock the Mystery of Prayer

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“And if we know that he hears us–whatever we ask–we know that we have what we asked of him.”
 1 John 5:15
1 John 5:15
 And if we know that he hears us–whatever we ask–we know that we have what we asked of him.

Think of a time where you had to approach someone about an important topic (maybe your spouse, friend or even boss) and consider the different approaches you could take depending on if you thought your voice would be heard or dismissed.

HEARD:

  • you have confidence in your voice and your viewpoint.
  • speak in authority

DISMISSED:

  • lack confidence in your voice
  • question yourself

Confidence in asking makes a difference in HOW we ask and WHAT we ask. No request is too small or too large for our God.

Having the confidence in knowing that we are heard allows us to claim the power God has waiting for us in prayer.

” we know that we have what we ask of him.” NIV

Let’s look at this part of the verse in some other versions.

AMP: “we [also] know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that we have [granted to us] the requests which we have asked from Him.”

NLT:  “we also know that he will give us what we ask for.”

MSG: “and if we’re confident that he’s listening, we know that what we’ve asked for is as good as ours.”

Does this mean that a raise at work, new house, new car and free beach vacation we pray for is ours as long as we’re confident and bold in our request?

Most likely not. The good news is though, the things that we do ask for that are in His will, are the very things He already has waiting to give us. Being aligned with God in prayer allows us to ask for things he already plans to give us.

Prayer is less about a gift being given to us, and more about a door being unlocked for us.

“Prayer is not asking. Prayer is putting oneself in the hands of God, at His disposition, and listening to His voice in the depth of our hearts.” – Mother Teresa

Blessings and Love,

Stephanie Miller

 

Photo Credit: image created via wordswag

 

Playing Hide and Seek

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 I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.

Psalm 119:176 NIV

Do you remembers playing hide and seek as kids? The feeling of retreating to your hiding spot in hopes that you won’t get caught before you made it back to “base” or “safety”. The object of the entire game is for others to HIDE while one person is to SEEK those people out.

GOD IS OUR SEEKER

We may attempt to hide from Him, either as a lost person or a believer plagued with shame and guilt, but either way He seeks us out and He will find us.

While we may try to hide from God, to hide those ugly and messy parts, God sees and He knows. He sees us in the good, bad and the ugly (even when you lose your temper with your spouse/kids or when you backslide in a unhealthy habit)

He sees. He knows. He loves us still.

Psalm 119:176 – I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.

When we hide and we don’t feel worthy of going before him, we give the enemy an advantage. He will do anything and everything he can to steal, kill and destroy what God is doing. That tug that you feel to apologize or ask for forgiveness is Godly sorrow.

When “the seeker” finds us, we are far from put together, but when we use that tug to pull us towards God and not away from Him, we are made new in His grace.

To experience the fullness of God you must embrace the fullness of forgiveness.

Just like the actual game of hide and seek, we can be relieved when we are found, because that means that we don’t have to take matters into our own hands and try to find our way back to “base” or “safety”. When we follow the one that “seeks” us we will be found, and never have to “hide” again. Praise God!

Many blessings sweet friends,

Stephanie

 

Photo credit: image created via wordswag

NANA’S MEMORIES: CONFUSED AND LOST

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I’m in a new season of life now. Gone are the days wrestling with three little boys. Almost gone are the days of wrestling with six fantastic little grandkids. How sad. However, the memories of stories and time spent – and the lessons learned – will last a lifetime. Join me this week as I share meaningful lessons learned from the children in my life…one of those children was even me.

 

CONFUSED AND LOST

 

MASON_WNANA_&_PAPA_JUNE_2009_030“Stay right here in front of Mommy’s chair”, I’d told him. Pointing to the lifeguard and umbrella stand, I said, “We are right here in front of the lifeguard stand so you won’t get lost. Keep your eyes on us, and don’t go into the water without Mommy or Daddy. Ok?”  “Ok Mommy” Brady said. “Four adults and one two year old. How could he have gotten away from us so quickly”, I wondered.

Athletes train for years to try to be the fastest person on earth. But, I can tell you who is faster than the fastest… a two year old with a two-minute head start!

As I ran further south on the strand, I spotted a very tall lifeguard walking towards me with a little boy on his shoulders.”Lord, please…”  Then I recognized my baby’s voice calling, “Mommy! Mommy!”

Jumping into my arms, he cried and told me of looking up from his sand castle to see an umbrella stand down the beach. He thought he had wandered away from us and took off as fast as his little legs could carry him. “I thought I had lost you Mommy,” he cried.

“No son”, I cried with him. “You haven’t lost me – you just ran in the wrong direction because you got confused.”

Jesus is the same way with us. He’s looking for us because He knows we’re lost. He hasn’t moved away from us; we’ve moved away from Him. We don’t start looking for Him until we realize we’re lost.

That’s the only silver lining in being lost.

“Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. 14 

I will be found by you, declares the LORD…”

Jeremiah 29:12-14(NASB)

Just as our little one was tearfully searching for his Mom and Dad on the beach that day – we are to search for our Lord, who loves us with an everlasting love. He loves us so much He was willing to go to hell and back to find our freedom.

Have you been looking for love in all the wrong places, and find yourself lost and alone? Then look for Him today! He’s looking for you too!

To get to know Him today…read more

You’ll be glad you did.

Until tomorrow,

Your Traveling Partner,

Brenda