This Is The Life! – Jude 1: 20-21 (The Message)

20 But you, dear friends, carefully build yourselves up in this most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, 

21 staying right at the center of God's love, keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ. This is the unending life, the real life!

– Jude 1: 20-21 (The Message)

This Is The Life!

Do you want to know the secret to true happiness and a full and rich life?  Do you want to find out the "secret" for calmness and peace in the middle of life's storms?  Do you want more than anything to know God's will for your life?  The answer is simple . . simple, and hard, at the same time.  It's simple because it's available to and for all of us. It's hard because it's too simple, and our minds have a tough time making sense of it. In fact, it can seem downright  foolish to some folks.

The answer is . . . Praying In The Spirit!

That's it! 

That's all!

Pretty simple huh? 

By praying in the Spirit, and making it a daily habit, or lifestyle if you will, the Bible tells us that we can "carefully" build ourselves up – by the power of the Holy Spirit . . . to live the life that our heavenly Father designed for us. A life maintained in the center of His Love, and in His Favor. A life that moves, and breathes, in His Love and Forgiveness. A life of Strength and Victory, of Power and Dominion, over our past pitfalls and failures.  The Holy Spirit, when we pray IN Him, gives us wisdom, and abilities, and talents, and insight so that we can make the decisions that are going to propel us, and help us navigate the mighty flow of the River of God that is taking us from point A to point B - the River of Life . . . OUR Life . . . IN Him.

But praying in the Spirit can be a scary thing at first. I mean it sounds like a bunch of babbling, and it just seems silly to those who aren't accustomed to it. BUT, when a person takes the plunge, and removes the fear, and the doubt, and all the preconceived notions and ideas, and they open their hearts and let the sounds of praise escape through their lips – by the power of the Holy Spirit . . . their life will be transformed.  What seemed silly and contrived at first, will soon become a comfortable friend and a powerful weapon against the enemy.  Praying in the Spirit will be like a good breakfast – the most important meal of the day!

So open your arms! Stretch them out wide, and get ready as the Power of the Holy Spirit leads you, via the mercy of our Master, the Lord Jesus Christ, into this unending life. This REAL life. This life designed especially and specifically, just for us, by our Father in Heaven, who (by the way), Loves Us VERY Much!

Prayer

Father, thank You for reminding me that I need to continually be building myself up by praying in Your Holy Spirit. My arms are open and stretched out wide as I receive Your Mercies today. I pray for my brothers and sisters who are tentative about praying in the Spirit and I ask that You give them a boldness and a confidence to take the plunge into Your mighty River of Life, and let the Spirit move them as He wills . . . according to Your purpose, in Jesus' name!

Have a blessed day everyone!

– Richard

Ask for Something - His thing! – John 16:24

24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
– John 16:24

Ask for Something - His thing!
Over the years, I have learned to listen to my Father during prayer time, and I have heard Him speak to me (no, not in a James Earl Jones, R-I-C-H-A-R-D . . . THIS IS GOD SPEAKING . . . way, but in a silent confidence kind of way), and I am slowly becoming more in tune with what and how He wants me to pray. After all, He already knows what I need in my life, so anything I can come up with is no surprise to Him.  My goal for prayer nowadays is to find His will in the everyday walking through of my life.  How does He want me to see His children?  How does He want me to act – in good and bad circumstances?  Where does He want me to position myself in my home, my church, and in my community? Who does He want me to be available to and to pray blessings over, etc.?

I believe that God wants to use our quiet time with HIm (if we let Him), to speak truth into our hearts – the truth of what He wants Us to do to create change in our world.  After all, we are His hands extended here on earth.  We are how He gets things done.  We have to be willing to step outside of our neat and controlled lives and be willing by faith, to be a miracle.  It needs to start somewhere right?  It might as well be here with you and with me.

Today's scripture says that until now, I/we have asked "nothing" in His name.  Oh, we all know that we have asked for plenty, and in my case, most of it has been selfish desires.  It's time for me to start asking for "something" – something that will bring glory and honor to our Father.  We need to stop thinking of what we want and focus on what He wants.

We can still ask for the kinds of things that we all want and need, but just do it from a different perspective:  

Do you need a new job? 

Ask for the position that our Father (who loves you) has all ready set aside for you – and then be prepared to rejoice when maybe it isn't the job you were looking for but it will be the job that will bring you the greatest joy and fulfillment in your life, if you accept it with gratitude and praise.  

Do you need a relationship restored? 

Pray that God would bless the other person and bring joy and abundance to their life that they might see Him in everything they do – their coming back to you will be a result of them realizing God's goodness and grace on their life, and restoration might not come about the way you thought it would – but it will come in a way that God is glorified.  

Do you a need financial miracle? 

Pray that God would bless those around you who are in greater need than you. Pray that your finances would be met according to His plan and then rejoice during your time of lack. Your miracle will come, but it will probably come in a way that you never could have dreamed.

Let us ask for things and pray according to what God wants!  THAT will bring us answered prayer.  THAT will bring us the fullness of joy that He wants so much to give us.  THAT will bring about  a glorious change to this crazy world.  THAT will honor our Father in heaven!

Prayer
Father You are so great and I offer praise to You right now.  For far too many years I have offered half-hearted and selfish prayers to You and I know and am so thankful that You have forgiven me for that.  This year and on this day, I seek Your will in my prayers.  I will no longer bring an offering of fools to You but I will wait on You and I will listen for the Holy Spirit to guide me in fervent and effectual prayer. Thank You for reminding me that in Your name I will find my joy and my life will be fulfilled.

Have a blessed day everyone!

– Richard

Together We Are ALL Giant Killers – 1 Chronicles 20:4-8

4 And after this there arose war with the Philistines at Gezer. Then Sibbecai the Hushathite struck down Sippai, who was one of the descendants of the giants, and the Philistines were subdued. 

5 And there was again war with the Philistines, and Elhanan the son of Jair struck down Lahmithe brother of Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver's beam. 

6 And there was again war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in number, and he also was descended from the giants. 

7 And when he taunted Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea, David's brother, struck him down. 

8 These were descended from the giants in Gath, and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants. 
- 1 Chronicles 20: 4-8

Together We Are ALL Giant Killers
Don't you love it when you get a "nugget" from scripture that you have read through several times in the past?  Especially in scripture where there are so many names that are difficult to read and pronounce.  I know for me, by the time I get to the end of the chapter, my mind is usually reeling from all the names I can't pronounce that I find myself just skimming over the last lines.  The last line is where I found my nugget today.

The verses in today's devotion tell a story about some of the giants that David AND his servants killed.  We all know the story of David and Goliath but how many of us were aware of the story of Sibbecai and Sippai?  How about the story of Elhanan and Lahmithe?  Then there was Jonathan (David's nephew) who killed a giant so big, and ugly, and deformed (24 fingers and toes!), that the bible doesn't even bother to give him a name!  These giants were all killed, not by David the giant killer, but by his servants, and family, and friends – those who David had influence over.  The members of his household who had learned through David's actions, that Giants are no match when you seek after God with your whole heart!

This same kind of Power exists for us today, and if we would just tap into the strength that is available to us in God's Word and the fellowship of His church,  we would realize the ability to take on the giants in our lives, and destroy the attack that the enemy has designed for us – even the big, ugly, hairy, foul-smelling giants with 8 eyes, and 6 heads, and 7 arms!  There are no giants that we can't defeat because God has our back.

So how do we do it?  It's a simple 1 - 2 - 3 - 4

1. Be in the Word! Everyday! It's how we get to know Who God is.
2. Pray! Prayer is so powerful and it should be the force that drives the lives of each and every one of us. It's how God talks to us and how we grow our relationship with Him.
3. Worship! Praise God! Sing to Him! Rejoice when you do it and show Him that you love Him so much that the song in your heart just has to come out!
4. Serve! Be a part. Get involved. Don't just attend church but BE the church – an active, involved, serving, committed, tithing, and believing force in the life of your local fellowship.

There is real power when all four of these become a habit in your life, and I guarantee that when you finally become a Word-reading, Praying, Worshipping, and Serving Christian, that the "big-uglies" the enemy sends your way will be no match! And when God gives you the Power to slay those giants, your family members, and your coworkers, and your friends will see what God has given you the power to do, and they will have the faith that their own big, ugly, hairy, 12-toed giant can be defeated as well.  Before you know it all the giants will be on the run – addiction, fear, doubt, anger, divorce, disease, unemployment, depression, abuse, apathy, and on-and-on – they will all be on the run because of the power of God that is spreading throughout our land!

Prayer
Father I thank You that I was able to see that giant slaying is not just for the Davids of this world, but that we ALL have it within us to defeat the enemy.  I pray that as we take on the giants in our lives, that we will not fear or be distracted by how big, or scary, or messy the situation, but we will stand firm in our faith in You.  I thank You for the Victory that is ours by the power of Your Holy Spirit!  Giants beware for my God is a mighty God!

Have a blessed day everyone!

– Richard

Jesus is praying for you! – Luke 22:31-32

31 "Simon, Simon! Listen! Satan has received permission to test all of you, to separate the good from the bad, as a farmer separates the wheat from the chaff. 

32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail. And when you turn back to me, you must strengthen your brothers."
– Luke 22:31-32

Jesus is praying for you!
What comfort to know that our Lord prays for us.  He knows that we are going through many trials, both from the world, and also the trails that we put on ourselves – out of pride, or fear, or doubt, or anger, etc.  He cares that we overcome and that we get through it all so that we can stand strong in our faith.

The scripture also implies that we will surely be tested and that the enemy will even be given permission to try our faith.  And that's OK – because we have an intercessor (Jesus), who has a direct line with the Father.  Jesus' prayers for us are powerful, and if we are faithful to not turn away when things get tough, He will hold us up to the Father, and He will present us worthy.  As long as we hold on to Him, every day, He will pray for us, every day.  And every day – for that day – we will have victory over the enemy. Praise Jesus!

Now here's the important part . . . the scripture tells us (and this is so important), He (Jesus), expects us to encourage (strengthen), one another with our victories.  In fact it says we Must strengthen each other.  The victory that we receive shouldn't be hidden or hoarded like the "precious" in the Lord of the Rings movie.  It needs to be out there – shining brightly for all to see.  Your victory, or healing, or sobriety, or restored relationship, or new job, or paid bills, or whatever the situation might be, need to be told to everyone, so that they can receive encouragement, and so that they can know that we serve a God who cares – who loves us so very much that He takes the time to see to our every need!  No matter how small or insignificant we may think it is – Jesus covers it in prayer. People need to hear that so that they can have confidence when they face the same thing . . . or their own thing. They need to know that Jesus is there for them too!

I don't know about you, but I need His prayers every day, because when I open my eyes in the morning, I am waking up to a world that is out to destroy my faith.  I need Jesus to be speaking life to the Father . . . about me.  I need Him directing His angels before me (and after me), because I can leave a messy trail wherever I go.  I know that I need Him . . . believing in me . . . each and every day.  How about you?

PrayerLord Jesus, Thank You for being my Prayer Warrior.  Thank You for speaking to the Father on my behalf.  Thank You Lord for taking the time to see me through this day and for believing in me – so that I will persevere; so that I will overcome; so that I will stand victorious – this day – over anything and everything the enemy can devise to throw my way.

Have a blessed day everyone!

– Richard

He's Always Talking To Us – Job 33:14-15

14 For God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it. 
15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, while they slumber on their beds...
– Job 33:14-15

He's Always Talking To Us
Sometimes I wish God would speak  to all of us like He did to Abraham or Moses – it would sure make life a lot easier to understand.  He might say, "Richard, I want you to get up and go to such-and-such a place . . . and while you are on your way, I will tell you all that's going to happen.  How great would that be?!  Or like the time I lost my job, it would have been great to hear God say, "Richard, don't worry, I have a much better job already lined up for you.  I want you to take a month long vacation and while you draw unemployment, just lay your hands on your checkbook, and the funds to pay all your bills will be available to you."

While that would be awesome, I'm sure that soon I would take advantage of the situation and because I know myself so well, I would take God for granted.  Besides, He does talk to us.  He just isn't so obvious about what He is saying.  He wants us to learn to hear His voice.  And He speaks to us all in different ways so that we can each have that very special Father/child relationship, and we can grow to trust Him with every aspect of our lives.  The problem is that sometimes we're just not very good listeners.

I am of the firm belief that there are times when God sends warnings our way when we are about to go through something "bad" in our lives.  He does it through dreams, or things we hear other people say, or even thoughts that come into our own heads – we just have to learn how to recognize that it's God.  The Bible tells us that God speaks to us in several different ways, but we don't perceive it.  It doesn't say that we don't hear it, or that we don't feel it, we just don't know that it's God doing it.

So what's the solution?  Well the obvious and first thing we should do is pray!  And don't just rattle off your I Want It list – take the time to be still so that God can speak to you.   At first, this was especially difficult for me to do because once my eyes are closed I can fall asleep in 2 seconds, but with practice it became not only easy, but a fruitful and special time with God.

The other way to start hearing God speak is to take an active role in your life.  Don't allow life to just happen to you.  Evaluate everything.  If you have a strange dream, ask God what it means.  If someone you trust says something to you that causes you to cock your head to one side (you know, like puppies do if they hear a strange sound), then pray about it – meditate on it – and ask someone else what they think about it.  Don't just dismiss it.  It could be that God is trying to get your attention.  If you are in your car and all of a sudden you have a strange feeling or a strange thought, pray about it. Ask God to clarify things – you might just be able to avoid some rough times ahead if you do.

God is trying to tells us things all the time.  We just have to take the time to learn to listen.  I know I do - how about you?

Prayer
Father, thank You for always talking to me.  I'm sorry that I'm not a very good listener but I want to change that.  Help me to be mindful of those dreams or thoughts or strange and interesting conversations so that I can seek Your wisdom and clarification.  I want to know what You are saying so that I can draw closer to You and find out the mysteries of my life.  I also want to be able to hear when You need me to minister to someone who needs to know more about You.  Thank You Lord.

Have a blessed day everyone!

– Richard

Thrive where You Are! – Jeremiah 12:5

5 "If you have raced with men on foot, and they have wearied you, how will you compete with horses?  And if in a safe land you are so trusting, what will you do in the thicket of the Jordan?"
- Jeremiah 12:5

Thrive where You Are!
Have you ever asked the Lord to get you out of your present environment because of all of the evil people around you?  Perhaps it was a job or maybe even your own family!  In today's scripture, the Lord is answering Jeremiah's complaint about all of the evil people that seem to prosper in this world.

God is basically telling Jeremiah, "Look, I know what's going on the world.  After all, I'm the One who gave all of these evil people over to their own lusts and desires and I will deal with them if they don't change their ways.  Besides, I have your back while you are here so I don't need you to complain to Me about any of this - just make sure that you live YOUR life according to My Word so that you don't get corrupted along the way."

Of course, this is just my interpretation of the conversation but I really think that God, as patient as He is, must get frustrated with us when we complain about our situation.  I am just as guilty as anyone else, I mean I would love to work in an all Christian environment or live in a world where everyone LOVES the Lord and is living accordingly?  I have a feeling though, that if that were the case, I might find something else to complain about - hmmmm.

It's really a profound statement (of course it is dummy - God said it!), and it spoke to me today even though I have read it many times before.  God has me where He has me so that I can strengthen my faith in Him and in that, effect change in this crazy and caustic environment.  I mean really, I am so blessed to be living in a country where I have the freedom to serve God so openly and if I find it difficult because of those around me now, how weak will my faith prove if I am ever put in a real hostile environment.  I'm not facing a choice at the point of a machete or looking down the barrel of an automatic weapon; my family isn't being threatened because of what I believe;  I'm not being thrown into prison for my faith.  If I can't openly and freely serve God here in this "safe land," then I'm going to be in real trouble when my time of testing comes.

Our way of  life and our freedom to worship God are being attacked in this country like never before.  Even now, the freedom to pray openly in public settings is being seriously challenged - if... your prayers are Christian prayers.  If you want to offer Islamic or Hindu or Buddhist prayers, then you are given all of the courtesy to do as you wish.  It isn't really that far-fetched to imagine a tough time ahead and we really need to be ready to stand firm in our faith, battle-tested and ready for the persecution that may come.  Are you ready?  I'd like to think that I am, but I'm not so sure.

I have decided to thank God for all of the challenges that I work with every day, and I really need to show God's love to the witches and the heathens and the "other" religion zealots and even to those who openly oppose me.  I am purposing to be salt and light in the very environment that God placed me in and as I learn what faith really is and I put it to practice, maybe . . . just maybe, those challenges around me might want to know a little more about the God that I serve.  I will serve God where I am until He decides it's time for me to move, and I will no longer question why He has me where I am.  I am where I am because that's where I'm supposed to be so I will serve Him where I am - with all that I am!

Prayer
Father I am so sorry for murmuring about the people who don't even choose to acknowledge that You exist, yet seem to prosper in all that they do.  Their prosperity and the way that they live have nothing to do with my Faith in You.  They have nothing to do with my serving You in this place.  I pray that as I draw closer to You that my faith will increase to the point that the evil around me will start to envy MY God and that they will see how good life can be in You.  Maybe they will start to question who it is that they serve and they will want to know how they can be reborn into Your kingdom.  I pray that I can be the light that leads them straight to You!

Have a blessed day everyone!

-Richard