Prayer

Well, we've been talking about prayer at church in my girls' class. They are sooo cute and I just love to hear them and discuss these things with them. I just thought I'd share what we have learned so far.

What is prayer? Talking to God and listening to Him talk to us. It is easy for prayer to be a one-sided conversation if we're not careful. It's soooo easy to get into the habit of rattling off our needs to Him and then abruptly ending the conversation with an AMEN. I dare say most of the time we don't expect a response and certainly don't wait for one (I'm GUILTY of this!).

So how does God talk to us? Well, He can do it however He wants. I've never heard Him audibly, but He can do it that way. Most of the time for me He speaks to me through the Bible or in my heart (you could call it His "still small voice", sometimes it's a strong feeling about what I should or should not do, or a thought about something good to do for others). Sometimes He speaks through other christian friends or through a song. I think He probably speaks a lot more often than we notice because these days we are all so busy and distracted.

Tonight's lesson was about the 4 kinds of prayer.

Adoration - praising God for who He is in general.
Who doesn't like to hear the good things about himself? God likes to hear it and I think when we talk about how He is faithful, trustworthy, loving, caring, kind, awesome, all powerful, etc. it reminds us too and builds our faith.

Confession - telling Him what you have done wrong or didn't do that you should have done, telling Him you're sorry and asking Him to forgive you and help you change.
Think about when you know you've done something wrong. It feels like such a heavy weight until you "get it off your chest". This part of prayer leaves you feeling lighter and totally clean! It's so good to know that once He's forgiven you He forgets that you ever did wrong! WOW!

Thanksgiving - praising and thanking God for the things He's done for you
Coming to God with a grateful heart is something we all can do! He does so much for us everyday! He provides, protects, heals, encourages us, ETC! This is a good time to recall your blessings and the ways God has answered you already! What has He done for you that you can thank Him for? Even on your worst day, I PROMISE you, you can still find something to be thankful for!

Supplication - telling God what you need and want
If you have already done the first 3 parts of prayer, by the time you get to this part you have already been reminded of who God is, you've gotten rid the sin that was weighing you down, you've also been reminded of how has God answered your prayers before...by the time you get here, your heart is full of faith and feeling light and free, what a great time to ask God for what you need and know that you have His full attention!

Hebrews 4:14-16 - Inasmuch then as we have a great High Priest Who has [already] ascended and passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession [of faith in Him].

For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning.

Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God's unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it].

Well, just had this to share, I hope you will enjoy it! Have a great week!

Dina

Trading Worry For Peace

In the class I teach for girls at church we are about to study about prayer. Our memory verse will be Philippians 4:6,7 (NIV):

Do not be anxious for anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

With that in mind I decided to study this verse in depth. This happens to be my very favorite scripture, and one I try to live by daily, so I'm sure I've probably quoted it in this blog before and may have even studied it before, but I just wanted to study it again, so here goes:

Amplified version:
Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.

And God's peace (shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace) which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Life application notes:
God's peace is different from the world's peace, true peace is not found in positive thinking, in absence of conflict, or in good feelings. It comes from knowing that God is in control. Our citizenship in Christ's kingdom is sure, our destiny is set, we can have victory over sin. Let God's peace guard your heart against anxiety.

My interpretation:
1. Don't worry about anything
INSTEAD OF WORRYING:
2. Pray, tell God what you need and want
3. be thankful, have a good attitude
4. leave your requests and burdens in God's hands
5. expect God's peace to guard your heart and mind
6. if you start to worry again, pray and give your need to God again

So what am I trading?

worry
- to torment oneself with or suffer from disturbing thoughts, fret
- to torment with cares, anxieties, etc, trouble, plague
- a worried condition or feeling; uneasiness or anxiety
- to disturb or interfere with someone's comfort or peace of mind
- to cause anxiety, apprehension or care

fret
- to feel or express worry, annoyance, discontent or the like
- to torment, irritate annoy or vex
- an irritated state of mind, annoyance, or vexation

anxiety
- distress or uneasiness of mind caused by fear of danger or misfortune
- fear, foreboding, worry, disquiet
- a state of uneasiness and apprehension as about future uncertainties

anxiety suggests feelings of fear and apprehension, worry implies persistent doubt or fear, care denotes a state of mind burdened by heavy responsibilities, a concern is serious thought combined with emotion.

prayer
- a devout petition to God
- a spiritual communion with God as in supplication, thanksgiving, adoration, and confession
- a petition, entreaty
- a reverent petition made to God
- a fervent request
- a conversation with God in direct address to Him

petition
- a request made for somthing
- a respectful or humble request as to a superior or to one of those in authority
- a supplication or prayer

thanksgiving
- the act of giving thanks
- grateful acknowledgement of benefits or favors, especially to God
- expression of gratitude

PEACE
- state of mutual harmony between people or groups
- cessation of or freedom from any strife or dissension
- freedom of the mind from annoyance, distraction, anxiety, an obsession, etc.
- tranquility, serenity, untroubled, content
- state of tranquility or quiet

Proverbs 12:25 - Anxiety in a man's heart weighs it down, but an encouraging word makes it glad.

1 Peter 5:7 - Casting the whole of your care (all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all) on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares for your watchfully.

If your burdened down with cares, worries, or anxieties today, I hope that you will take a minute and bring them before God. Take your burdens to the Lord and leave them in His capable hands! Trust Him to meet every need you have! He cares for you!

Dina

My Prayer for Today...

Lord, next time I'm tempted to criticize, judge, or talk unkindly about my family member, friend, neighbor, or even my enemy who is in a pit, remind me again about the pit you took me out of. Help me remember how you did not hold my offenses against me, how you were willing to forgive me and love me just the way I was! Help me follow your example and extend that grace to others! AMEN!

I waited patiently for the Lord to help me,
and he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the pit of despair,
out of the mud and the mire.
He set my feet on solid ground
and steadied me as I walked along.
He has given me a new song to sing,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see what he has done and be amazed.
They will put their trust in the Lord.
Psalm 40:1-3

God is SOOOOO Good!

Well for the past several months I've had this song going through my head and heart. You know the kids' song "God is So Good". Well, it is totally true, but I was thinking this morning that He's not good because right now my life is good. He's good because He just is! Even if my life were in a crummy place, even if I was in a time of waiting on Him, He would still be good. I love that He is constant. No matter what changes in my life, He is always the same. It's so good to know that He's not moody or quick to become angry with me, even when I do and say dumb things along the way!

So if you're in a place that doesn't feel so good, maybe you're wondering "hey, what's the big idea here?", you might need to remind yourself that God IS GOOD! Not just when your life is good, but even when it feels totally rotten. Sometimes it's our own fault that we're in a bad situation, but other times, it's just life coming with its ups and downs. Let God use the bad times to draw you to Him, show you His love, lead and guide you on the unseen path ahead. And if you're in a good place, be thankful. Look around you and notice those who are in need and reach out while you can. Count your blessings everyday. Even on the worst day, I promise your blessings will outweigh the sad, bad, and crummy!

We have sooooo much to be thankful for!! God IS GOOD!!! Happy Thanksgiving!
-Dina

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Genesis 50:20

For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. O LORD Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you. Psalm 84:11,12

Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. Psalm 25:8

The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. Psalm 37:7-9

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100:4,5

The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. All you have made will praise you, O LORD; your saints will extol you. Psalm 145:8-10

God on the Mountain

Hello Again! I've been thinking again which may or may not be a good thing! :)

For a long time I was in a time of waiting on God. It was a time of searching for His will and trusting in His perfect timing. Well, now that time has come to an end. He answered after all that time and to top it off, He answered "YES"! Talk about a long wait well worth the heart ache and longing! But now in the middle of my thankfulness I'm realizing some things.

It is really easy to get really satisfied in this comfortable place. After all of those years of waiting and trusting God, calling on Him constantly, daily, it is easy now to sit back and "bask" in His answer. But, I'm also figuring out that this is the time that I need to be extra careful about keeping close to God. To continue to read His word each day and pray more for others that are still in need.

So this is the mountain top! I'm thinking it will be wise to start digging into the word even more because in this life there are ups and downs, mountains and valleys. I know that often He uses the valleys to draw us closer to Him, but I want to stay close to the Lord during this time too. Maybe I'll be even more ready to face the next challenge that comes my way.

I just want to encourage you today, whether you are on top of a mountain or down in a valley, God is there. It is always a good time to call on Him and trust Him. If you are not in need, look around you, there are so many who are. They need prayer and support as they walk through the valley. If you are in a valley, call on God, trust in Him to meet your needs, and rest knowing that His timing is perfect. He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it (Philippians 1:6)! I'll leave you with the words to the song "God on the Mountain", they are so true!

Life is easy, when your up on the mountain
And you've got peace of mind like you've never known
But then things change and you're down in the valley
Don't lose hope for you're never alone

[chorus]
For the God on the mountain is still God in the valley
When things go wrong He'll make them right
And the God of the good times, is still God of the bad times
And the God of the day is still God of the night

v. 2
You talk of faith when you're up on the mountain
Oh, but the talk comes so easy when life's at its best
But its down in the valley of trials and temptations
That's where faith is really put to the test

[chorus]
For the God on the mountain is still God in the valley
When things go wrong He'll make them right
And the God of the good times, is still God of the bad times
And the God of the day is still God of the night

Have a great week!
Dina

My Part & God's Part

I just love Psalm 25! It starts off "Unto to You, O Lord, do I bring my life". That's the way I think we should begin each day! Well, today I started reading this Psalm at verse 2 by accident, I read for a while, then backed up and read verse one and realized that this is one that I really like to read. I decided to see which things I'm supposed to do, and what parts God is going to do. So, here goes:

My Part:
1. Unto You do I bring my life
2. I trust, lean on, rely on, and am confident in You
3. For You only and altogether do I wait expectantly all the day long
4. Those who fear the Lord have the secret of the sweet, satifying companionship of the Lord
5. My eyes are ever toward the Lord
6. My trust and my refuge are in You
7. I wait for and expect You.

God's Part:
1. Don't let me be put to shame or my hope in You disappointed
2. Don't let my enemies triumph over me
3. Show me Your ways, teach me Your paths
4. Guide me in Your truth and faithfulness and teach me
5. Remember Your tender mercy and loving-kindness
6. Don't remember the sins (lapses and frailties) of my youth or my transgressions
7. Remember me according to your mercy and steadfast love for Your goodness sake
8. Instruct sinners in Your way
9. Lead the humble in what is right and teach the humble Your way
10. Pardon my iniquity and my guilt
11. He will teach the person who reverently fears and worships Him in the way he should choose.
12. He will show His covenant and reveal its deep, inner meaning
13. Pluck my feet out of the net (get me out of a trap)
14. Turn to me and be gracious to me
15. Bring me out of my distresses
16. See my affliction and pain, forgive all my sins (of thinking and doing)
17. Consider my enemies
18. Keep me, deliver me, don't let me be ashamed or disappointed
19. Let integrity and uprightness preserve me
20. Redeem Israel out of all their troubles

To me this just kind of sums up how God operates! He is sooooo good to us! So much better than we deserve! It is so easy for us to mess up and get ourselves all trapped up and entangled in things we shouldn't be involved with! Compared to all of what He does for us, our part seems pretty simple! This psalm shows how He wants to lead us and teach us the right way to go. I LOVE THAT!

Anyway, I just thought I'd share this because I thought it's neat! Have a great week!
Dina

More about hope, trust, faith, expecting...

Ok, I'm still studying on faith, hope, trust, expecting from God, etc. So, as I came across things, I decided to put them here so that you could read them too. I'm definitely hoping, trusting, and expecting huge things from God right now. I pray for you today that whatever you may be trusting Him for will be taken care of for you too!

Have a great week!
Dina

Faith -
1. belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence.
2. confident belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, idea, or thing
3. confidence or trust in a person or thing
4. secure belief in God and a trusting acceptance of God's will

Faith is a belief in the trustworthiness of an idea that has not been proven.

Hebrews 11:1 - Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.

Hope -
1. the desire and search for a future good, difficult but not impossible to attain with God's help
2. the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best
3. to look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence
4. to wish for something with expectation of its fulfillment

Hope is a belief in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances in one's life. Hope implies a certain amount of despair, wanting, wishing, suffering or perseverance — i.e., believing that a better or positive outcome is possible even when there is some evidence to the contrary.

Trust -
1. reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing; confidence.
2. confident expectation of something; hope
3. to have trust or confidence in; rely or depend on
4. to believe
5. to place confidence in; to rely on, to confide, or repose faith, in
6. to show confidence in a person by intrusting (him) with something

Trust implies instinctive unquestioning belief in and reliance upon something
Trust is a relationship of reliance. A trusted party is presumed to seek to fulfill their previous promises. Trust is a prediction of reliance on an action, based on what a party knows about the other party. Trust is a statement about what is otherwise unknown -- for example, because it is far away, cannot be verified, or is in the future.

Expectation -
1. to look forward to; regard as likely to happen; anticipate the occurrence or the coming of
2. implies confidently believing, usually for good reasons, that an event will occur

An expectation about the behavior or performance of another person, expressed to that person, may have the nature of a strong request, or an order.

Confidence -
1. full trust; belief in the powers, trustworthiness, or reliability of a person or thing
2. certitude; assurance

Confidence implies conscious trust because of good reasons, definite evidence, or past experience