Murph
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Post by Murph on Aug 21, 2023 6:13:00 GMT -6
Sing Away Your Discouragement
"Don’t ever be afraid or discouraged." Joshua 10:25
Satan has gotten a lot of victories using his weapon of discouragement. Nowhere in the Bible are we ever told to be discouraged, but how often we fall for this negative emotion! The great hymnwriters addressed this often.
The hymn, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” says, “We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.”
The opening words of “His Eye Is on the Sparrow” say: “Why should I feel discouraged…. When Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is He. His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.”
Another favorite song says, “When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed, when you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, count your many blessings, name them one by one; and it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.”
When you’re discouraged, remember what a friend you have in Jesus. Take your burdens to Him in prayer, and remember He is your portion. The same eye that watches over the sparrow watches over you. Count your blessings, and cast out discouragement.
Discouraged I would often be—my heart remains so vile; except I know I’ll be like Him in just a little while. William C. Martin
Dr. David Jeremiah
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Aug 22, 2023 6:38:26 GMT -6
And the Answer Is…
"You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry." Psalm 10:17
During his battle with cancer, game show host Alex Trebek tried to keep everyone’s spirits up. He projected hope and confidence on camera. But behind the camera, Trebek was understandably emotional, and he later admitted he had “moments of complete discouragement.” He said that his role of being a beacon of hope was heavy and that in private he would often burst into tears.1
It’s hard to imagine a person who wouldn’t have the same emotional struggles in times of critical illness. Those kinds of emotions are expected. But as followers of Christ, we have the question to the answer. The answer is encouragement. The question is: What does God provide for His children in times of discouragement?
In times of discouragement, God is willing and able to help you. He hears the desire of the afflicted, and He encourages them and listens to their cries. If you’re emotional, prone to tears, or struggling with life, look to the Lord. Ask Him for divine encouragement today!
"God encourages His people to watch for His activity so they will know how they should respond and adjust their lives." Henry Blackaby
Dr. David Jeremiah
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Aug 23, 2023 6:04:20 GMT -6
God and Goodness
"Whoever is wise will observe these things, and they will understand the lovingkindness of the Lord." Psalm 107:43
We often think that the difficulties we face in our modern life are new to us. But the psalmist in Psalm 107 dispels that notion by detailing four different kinds of troubles that, in general terms, are not unlike the trials we face today. And throughout this lengthy psalm his message is the same: “Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!” (verses 8, 15, 21, 31)
He describes four categories of trials that people go through: being lost in the wilderness (verses 4-9), being imprisoned (verses 10-16), being ill (verses 17-22), and being in a storm (verses 23-32). Whether literally or figuratively, we can all identify with those trials. But through all their trials, the wise will “understand the lovingkindness of the Lord” (verse 43)—“lovingkindness” in Hebrew is the idea of God’s faithful, or loyal, love. Throughout our trials, we can give thanks to God for His goodness and loyal love.
The psalmist desires that His readers be those who “give thanks to the Lord” (verse 1). Let us be among those who respond with thanksgiving.
"The Lord’s goodness surrounds us at every moment." R. W. Barbour
Dr. David Jeremiah
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Aug 24, 2023 6:33:50 GMT -6
He Quiets the Storm
"He calms the storm, so that its waves are still. Then they are glad because they are quiet; so He guides them to their desired haven." Psalm 107:29-30
According to the U. S. Geological Survey, about 96.5 percent of the earth’s water is in the oceans. In biblical days, sailing on either saltwater bodies, like the Mediterranean Sea, or freshwater bodies, like the Sea of Galilee, presented potential dangers. Storms could be violent, and ships of the day were vulnerable.
It is no surprise that in Psalm 107, one of the four categories of troubles mentioned was violent storms at sea (verses 23-32). But the response of the psalmist is one we can copy for any kind of storm in which we find ourselves: “Then they cry out to the Lord in their trouble, and He brings them out of their distresses” (verse 28). When Jesus and His disciples were swept up in a storm on the Sea of Galilee, the disciples cried out, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” (Matthew 8:25) And He did.
Whatever kind of storm you are in, let your first action be to ask the Lord to quiet the storm—and to quiet you in the storm.
"God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform. He plants His footsteps in the sea, and rides upon the storm." William Cowper
Dr. David Jeremiah
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Aug 25, 2023 6:24:52 GMT -6
Order out of Chaos
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1
Before God began to form the earth, it was formless, empty, and dark. Even in that state, “the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters” (Genesis 1:2). On day three of Creation, God pulled back the waters and dry land appeared. Chaos turned into order on earth.
In Psalm 46, the psalmist seems to call upon that Creation imagery. Instead of the land and mountains appearing out of the sea, he sees the earth being “removed” and “the mountains [being] carried into the midst of the sea.” The sea roared and was troubled (verses 2-3). Instead of God bringing order out of chaos, as He did at Creation, it seems that the psalmist’s life (and Israel’s) is devolving into chaos. But he knows one thing is true: Just as the Spirit of God was hovering over the earth, so God is “a very present help in [his time of] trouble.... The Lord of hosts is with us” (Psalm 46:1, 7).
When you sense that chaos is replacing order in your life, remember that God is your always-present help. Call on Him to calm the chaos and restore the order.
"If you don’t surrender to Christ, you surrender to chaos." E. Stanley Jones
Dr. David Jeremiah
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Aug 26, 2023 6:15:27 GMT -6
Our Ultimate Home
"Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord." 1 Thessalonians 4:17
When A. P. Carter wrote his now-famous Gospel song “This World Is Not My Home” in 1931, he was borrowing from a solid biblical reference. All who embrace a biblical worldview live with a tension between their earthly home and their eternal home. Jesus cautioned about laying up treasures on earth, choosing to invest in heavenly treasures instead (Matthew 6:19-21).
And the writer of the letter to the Hebrews cited numerous heroes of the faith who lived as “strangers and pilgrims on the earth” (Hebrews 11:13). They were looking for a “better” home, “that is, a heavenly country” that would be their ultimate, forever home. Indeed, God “has prepared a city for them” and for us (Hebrews 11:16). Our first step toward that ultimate home will happen at the Rapture of the Church—“and thus we shall always be with the Lord.”
Ask God to make your home a doorway to eternity for all who live and visit there.
"This world is not my home, I’m just a passing through, my treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue." A. P. Carter
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Aug 27, 2023 6:20:15 GMT -6
"He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved. How long will ye imagine mischief against a man? ye shall be slain all of you: as a bowing wall shall ye be, and as a tottering fence. They only consult to cast him down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah. My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God." (Psalm 62:2-7)
Because of our incredible salvation in Christ, we can depend upon Him in times of turmoil and suffering. He alone is our refuge and strength as our soul silently waits in great expectation for His second coming.
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Aug 28, 2023 7:00:19 GMT -6
Help in All Ages
"Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God." Psalm 90:1-2
The American Bible Society released a report earlier this year showing two things: Bible reading in America has dramatically decreased; people who do read their Bibles experience significant hope in their lives.^1 When we read the Bible daily, it reminds us of how God has worked in ages past and what He will do for us in years to come.
It’s also a good idea to think back over our own life and remember how God has led us in times of indecision, moved us forward when we were stalled, protected us in times of danger, comforted us during days of grief, and helped us in times of need.
During times of difficulty, remember all God has done for you in the past. Remembering His character and all He has done for you will encourage and strengthen you. When you combine daily Bible study with constant thanksgiving, you’ll find yourself developing an unbeatable attitude.
"O God our Help in ages past, our Hope for years to come, be Thou our Guide while life shall last, and our eternal Home." Isaac Watts
Dr. David Jeremaih
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Aug 29, 2023 6:21:40 GMT -6
Not a Baaaad Friend!
"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Kanchi showed definite signs of prolonged depression because her male partner died. She stopped eating as much, her weight fell, and she stopped communicating. She wasn’t just any widow. She was a rhinoceros at a Bangladesh zoo. Animal workers introduced a sheep into the enclosure, and the two became unlikely friends. A picture of them appeared in newspapers, with the sheep rubbing herself against her giant companion’s belly.1
Even animals need fellowship, companionship, and encouragement.
The Bible compares us to sheep, and we can be good companions for others in our life. We need to remember our job is to encourage and comfort someone every day. It’s hard to do that when we’re complaining. We should complain less and comfort more.
One of the blessings God gives us during trials is the support and encouragement of other believers. Thank God for the people He has brought alongside you during trials. Ask Him to show you how you can best encourage others who are currently walking through troubled times.
Somebody needs your encouragement. Somebody is glad that you are their friend…. Somebody needs your support. Emilie Barnes
Dr. David Jeremiah
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Aug 30, 2023 6:42:20 GMT -6
What If…?
"I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven." 2 Corinthians 12:2 What if you could be caught up to Paradise for ten minutes, and you were able to see the great city of New Jerusalem, smell the fragrant air, and see the burnished streets, the translucent buildings, the glorious light, and the multi-colored flowers? What if you could hear the choirs, the bands, the orchestras, and the songs of praise? What if you could see the throne of God, from which was gushing the crystal waters of the great river that flows through the heart of the city?
And then, what if you were returned to earth for the rest of your life to await your next (and permanent) trip there? That happened to the apostle Paul! He was caught up above the first heaven of the clouds and the second heaven of the stars—all the way to God’s heaven!
As Christians we can study all the Bible says about our eternal home and rejoice because we know that regardless of what we face here on earth, we have heaven ahead of us to enjoy for eternity. That should make a difference in how you manage today!
"What shall we do in heaven?...We shall see and love Jesus, our Savior, Master, and Friend." J. I. Packer
Dr. David Jeremiah
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Aug 31, 2023 6:36:11 GMT -6
500 Circles
"You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord." Leviticus 19:18
If you went through the Bible and drew a circle around every occurrence of the word love, you’d end up with more than 500 circles. It first appears in Genesis 22:2 to describe Abraham’s love for his son Isaac. You’ll have 25 circles in the book of Deuteronomy, 44 in Psalms, and 57 in John’s Gospel. One chapter in the Bible is called the Love Chapter (1 Corinthians 13), and the last reference to love in the Bible is in Revelation 22, although there the word is used in a negative sense, to condemn anyone who “loves and practices a lie” (verse 15).
Love is God’s priority, and it should be ours as well. Nothing is harder than to give up a grudge, overlook an insult, or cast out a root of bitterness from our hearts. But that is God’s way and His will, and we can accomplish those things through His strength and His Spirit.
Look for a way to love someone well today, maybe even someone you’ve recently failed to love very well!
"When a human act does not conform to the standard of love, then it is not right, nor good, nor perfect." Thomas Aquinas
Dr. David Jeremiah
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Sept 1, 2023 6:52:31 GMT -6
The Soul of Faith
"On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." Matthew 22:40
In William Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet, Polonius says to Claudius, the King of Denmark, “Brevity is the soul of wit.” In Hamlet, Polonius is verbose. But regarding brevity, Polonius got it right: Powerful points can be made with just a few words.
Jesus would have agreed. When a lawyer asked Him to identify the greatest commandment in the law, Jesus replied succinctly that the greatest commandment is to love God with all one’s being—a summary of the first four of the Ten Commandments. Then Jesus went further and named the second most important commandment: to love one’s neighbor as oneself—a summary of the remaining six of the Ten Commandments. Then came the jewel of brevity: “On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” The entire Old Testament can be summarized by loving God and loving other people. And in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus put it in practical terms: Do to others what you would like them to do to you—“for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12).
Summarize your Christian life today by loving God and loving others. Everything depends on love.
"Divine love, unlike human love, is not dependent on its object." R. B. Kuiper
Dr. David Jeremiah
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Sept 2, 2023 6:47:27 GMT -6
The Marks of Faith: Mark
"Mark…is useful to me for ministry." 2 Timothy 4:11
The Gospel of Mark was written by John Mark whose life was shaped by three men. First, his cousin Barnabas invited him to join him and Paul on their first missionary trip. Sadly, Mark deserted Paul and Barnabas along the way. That upset Paul, who was the second great influence on Mark’s life. Paul refused to take the young man on their next trip, and Paul’s rebuke must have stung like a rod.
That’s when Peter stepped in. We know from trustworthy traditions that Peter took Mark under his wing, traveled with him, and used him as an interpreter. Mark listened to Peter’s stories of Christ over and over, and Mark put it all down on paper, writing his Gospel based largely on Peter’s accounts.
God sends various people into our life. Some encourage us. Some rebuke us. Some help us recover. They all play a part in shaping us to be the person God wants us to be, and we should be thankful for them. What people have left a mark on your life?
"The kindly tutelage of Barnabas…. The stern discipline of Paul…. The influence of Peter…. The Holy Spirit may well have used all three factors…to perform his marvelous work in Mark’s life." William Hendricksen
Dr. David Jeremiah
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Sept 3, 2023 6:10:22 GMT -6
"The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy." Psalm 147:11
A Prayer: Oh Lord, may there be in our hearts, at the same time, both a reverence of Your majesty and a resting in Your goodness, both a believing dread of Your wrath and a believing expectation of Your favour; not that we must hang in suspense between hope and fear, but we must act under the gracious influences of hope and fear. May our fear save our hope from swelling into presumption, and our hope save our fear from sinking into despair. May we hope in Your mercy, even when we cannot find a particular promise to stay ourselves upon!
-Matthew Henry
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Sept 4, 2023 6:32:02 GMT -6
Ten Plus One
"Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ." 2 Thessalonians 3:5
A self-help website recently listed ten everyday situations that try our patience: waiting in line, sitting in traffic, slow Internet speeds, parenting, dealing with customer service, waiting for a package, listening to others, assembling Ikea furniture, grocery shopping, and living with others.1 We could all add to the list (waiting for the doctor!), and most of us wisely try to avoid unnecessary situations that test our patience. Sometimes, however, we simply can’t avoid frustrating delays or aggravating problems.
We must learn to manage our tempers. Whenever we lose our tempers, we’re testing the patience of others who are affected by our outbursts. That’s not of the Spirit. According to Galatians 5:22, “The fruit of the Spirit is…patience” (ESV). The Holy Spirit is patient with us, and we should be patient with others.
The Lord Jesus wants to channel His patience through you by His Holy Spirit. Tell Him you want the same. Learn to pray, “Lord, may I have Your patience today.” He can help you mature in this vital life skill!
"Be patient and understanding. Life is too short to be vengeful or malicious." Phillips Brooks
Dr. David Jeremiah
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Sept 5, 2023 6:48:59 GMT -6
Getting Their Goat
"Add to your faith…brotherly kindness." 2 Peter 1:5, 7
Earlier this year two police offers in Oklahoma received a report of someone yelling for help. They responded to the call and tracked the voice. When they came upon the distressed individual, they found not a human but a goat. Its cry sounded like “Help!” The animal had become separated from its mate, and the officers kindly guided it back to its companion.1
If we listen carefully nowadays, we can hear cries for help coming from many different places. People need a kind shoulder to lean on, a kind friend to talk with, a kind word to encourage them, or some help kindly given.
Showing kindness to others is something we as Christians simply do! Proverbs 19:22 says, “What is desired in a man is kindness.” And Romans 12:10 says, “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another.”
Kindness is among the items we call the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Praise God today that the kindness of Jesus is available for you to duplicate in the power of the Holy Spirit.
"Kindness has been called the small coin of love." J. R. Miller
Dr. David Jeremiah
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Sept 6, 2023 7:07:43 GMT -6
The Pitt of Jealousy
"Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt." Acts 7:9
Could one of the biggest movie stars in history be jealous of another actor? Of course! They have big egos. Hollywood insiders say Tom Cruise is perpetually jealous of Brad Pitt, especially since the two of them have competed through the years for the same roles. When Pitt was recently cast as the driver in a racing movie, Cruise reportedly had his feathers ruffled.1
Just imagine how many forgotten actors are jealous of both men! Envy is a problem that consumes us if we let it. Just think about it. Everyone we ever meet in life is better than us in some way. They may be better looking, have more money, be smarter, have traveled more widely, be able to speak more languages, have more grandchildren, or whatever. Jealousy destroys the qualities of love. It hurts both the source and the object of the jealousy—both you and the person you envy.
Oh, the pain Joseph felt and the guilt that haunted his brothers because of envy! We should be thankful for the success of others. Thank God for being good to them, and count your own blessings too!
"Jealousy materializes when you resent the success of your peers rather than celebrate it." Doug Dickerson
Dr. David Jeremiah
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Sept 7, 2023 6:26:18 GMT -6
Having All We Need
"Now godliness with contentment is great gain." 1 Timothy 6:6
Leaders in various religious movements are often discovered to be living lavish lifestyles: mansions, private jets, expensive belongings, and large salaries. But this is not a modern phenomenon. In the apostle Paul’s day, there were traveling teachers and philosophers who demanded payments before they would dispense their “wisdom.” In fact, some of them criticized Paul because he refused to take payments for his ministry (2 Corinthians 11).
When Paul wrote to the young pastor Timothy, he warned him to have nothing to do with any such teachers who thought that “godliness is a means of gain” (1 Timothy 6:5). Then he reminded Timothy that godliness can be a source of gain if it is coupled with one thing: contentment (1 Timothy 6:6). Paul wrote a long section of his epistle on the subject of riches and contentment and the spiritual gain that comes from finding wealth in Christ, not in the things of this world. Money is not the problem; the love of money is (1 Timothy 6:10). To be content frees us to be “rich in good works” and to lay a foundation for the age to come (1 Timothy 6:18-19).
Are you content in Christ today? In Him we have all we will ever need.
Deep, contented joy comes from a place of complete security and confidence [in God]. Charles Swindoll
Dr. David Jeremiah
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Sept 8, 2023 6:59:46 GMT -6
Neither High nor Low
"For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith." Romans 12:3
The Bible suggests that pride led to Satan’s downfall and, subsequently, man’s as well (1 Timothy 3:6). Satan wanted to be like God (Isaiah 14:12-15), and he tempted man with the same desire (Genesis 3:4-5). Ever since, we are tempted to “think of ourselves more highly than we ought to think.”
Paul wrote that we each have “gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us” (Romans 12:6). His warning about thinking pridefully about our gifts has a flip side: Neither should we think more lowly than we ought to about our gifts from God. Instead of thinking about ourselves, we should think about God and the grace He has given. No member of the Body of Christ is more or less important than any other. We are to walk in the calling whereby we have been gifted and called (Ephesians 4:1).
Thank God today for who He has created and called you to be. Let your focus be on Him and His glory.
"Pride of gifts robs us of God’s blessing in the use of them." William Gurnall
Dr. David Jeremiah
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Sept 9, 2023 6:42:26 GMT -6
The Marks of Faith: The Marks of Prayer
"Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them." Mark 11:24
Wonder how Steve Woodmore prayed? He was a British electronics salesman known for his ability to talk rapidly. It all started at age seven when a teacher punished him for talkativeness. He had to memorize and recite an eight-minute speech. He did it in only two minutes. Today he holds the Guinness record as the fastest talker on earth. There’s no account of how long it took him to say the Lord’s Prayer.
It’s not our talkativeness that impresses God when we pray nor the speed of our prayers. It’s the faith behind them, the certain confidence that He will respond to our prayers. When we sincerely bring our needs and burdens to Him and pray with perseverance, He will always answer in the wisest possible way. His answer may not always be what we envision, but that’s where faith comes in. First, we trust God to answer; second, we trust His answer to be what is best in the situation.
"Prayer is asking God for something, and for something which He has promised. Prayer is using the divinely appointed means for obtaining what we need and for accomplishing what God proposes to do on earth." E. M. Bounds
Dr. David Jeremiah
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