Straight Talk – Job 40:6-7

6 God addressed Job next from the eye of the storm, and this is what he said:
7 "I have some more questions for you, and I want straight answers.

– Job 40:6-7

Straight Talk

Have you ever wondered where God is when you are going through tough times? You know, when the world is raging around you and everything you think to be true has been turned upside down – when even your very best friends seem to have turned against you?  Those can be some very lonely times and the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel can seem like it will never come into focus.

When we are in the middle of facing the "Junk," the "Big Nasty," or the "Storm of the Century," the best thing to do is take a breath, get quiet, and wait.  Yes wait . . . in the quiet . . . for God. That's where He is, just waiting . . . for you.  That's where He will speak. From the "eye" of your storm; in the quiet and calm that is smack-dab in the middle of ALL your turmoil; where you have a perfect 360º view of your situation; where God can point out what's happening – and why it's happening, and you can calmly turn to see every aspect of the situation and most importantly, where you can answer His hard questions, honestly, openly, and completely.

"But why should I have to answer hard questions? I don't even know why this is "happening" to me!"

The hard questions aren't going to be about your situation. The really hard questions are going to be about Him. Who you see God as. What you really think He can and/or cannot do. When you think He should act, Where you think He has been all this time, and How much do you trust Him.  You see the really hard questions are always going to be about why we don't trust the One we call our God . . . to give us the grace to weather the storm; to be our constant help in times of trouble; to provide a way when there just seems to be no way; to be God over ALL things in our lives . . . even the storms.

The thing is that God is God no matter what is happening to us, in us, through us, or around us.  He knows what we are going through and sometimes it's stuff we just have to go through, and if we will just allow God to be God, and trust that He will NEVER leave us nor forsake us, then we can focus on Him and NOT on the storms we are in.  

Our storms will come and our storms will go . . . but our God (who Loves us by the way), will ALWAYS be right there to see us through . . . according to HIS plans and purpose for our lives.

So what's the easy answer to the hard question?

It's all about Him, and not about us.  

It's "God, You do what is best for me and I will praise You – in the storm and in the quiet . . . because YOU have my life in Your hand. I submit my life to YOUR perfect will."

When we get to that point; when we truly understand what that means, THAT's when we can walk in peace . . . even in the middle of a raging storm.  That's my prayer for all of us today.

Prayer

Father, I pray that we can all take our eyes off of our problems today and that we can look to You no matter what we are facing. You are so very good . . . ALL the time, and we will praise you no matter what comes our way.  We submit ourselves to Your Master plan and we ask for Your help as we learn to stay focussed on You.

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

Sometimes You Just Have To Do It Yourself! – James 5:13

13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.
– James 5:13

Sometimes You Just Have To Do It Yourself!

We all believe in the power of prayer right?  So why is it that we believe in other people's prayers over our own?  I mean no one knows exactly what we need better than we do, and God knows exactly what's going on with us (now and in the future), so why is it that when we are hurting, or sick, or in need of a miracle, we go to others to pray for us before we pray for ourselves?  We should be crying out to God as soon as the need arises, with the faith that God (who loves us by the way), is listening and ALWAYS has our back.

Now, before you get your tail-feathers ruffled, please know that I know that it is scriptural to go to the elders of the church and to be prayed over and anointed with oil . . . BUT, I believe (and it is just my belief mind you), that before going to the elders, we should be seeking God ourselves and believing with all the faith and conviction we can muster, that we have just as much, if not more, healing power in our petitions to our Father than anyone else does . . . but the key is faith - not in the prayer, but in our Father who is hearing that prayer.  It is always good to get the elders and the saints praying and interceding, but I believe that it should start with us.  WE need to be praying for our needs, our healings, our desires, and our mountain-moving miracles.  Our Father (who loves us by the way), wants each one of us to trust in Him so much that He is the first one we go to when we need something . . . anything . . . everything!

Look at it this way – when you have something very good happen to you, you don't go to someone else and ask them to rejoice for you do you?  You don't go to the elders and sheepishly ask them to sing praises to God for the good things that are happening to you do you?  No!  You rejoice!  You sing praises!  You shout to the Lord with a mighty voice and You give Him thanks!  You have the same ability to praise Him as you do to pray to Him.

Today's scripture tells us . . . are you suffering?  Then YOU pray!  Are you happy?  Then YOU sing praise!  I think a lot of times we stay in our suffering for far too long, simply because we don't have the faith that God (who loves us by the way), will hear our simple petitions.  I'm here to tell you that He does and He will!  He wants you to come to Him with every aspect of your life; when you are happy, when you're sad, when you're sick, when you're grieved, when you're worried, when you're stressed, when you're freaked-out, when you're mad, and sad, and scared all at the same time.  He wants to be a part of your life – EVERY part of your life (not just on Sunday mornings).  He wants you to trust Him and to know Him and to have faith in Him.  He is your Father, and He loves YOU unconditionally, and completely, and without exception.  Won't you show Him that you understand how this relationship thing works and call out to Him today – no matter what's going on with you?  Oh and by the way, in case you didn't get the "subtle" message, our Heavenly Father Loves us . . . He loves me . . . and He loves you too!

Prayer
Father, Thank You for ALWAYS being there for me.  I know there have been times when I looked to others to do the asking for me instead of asking myself because I lacked the faith that You would hear my prayers, and I'm so sorry for hurting You like that.  How disappointed You must be when I do that.  I just want You to know how much I love You!  I just want You to know that I am learning to trust and to have faith, not only in my ability to get Your attention, but in Your desire to show me how much You love me!

Have a blessed day everyone!

–Richard 

Pour Out Your Heart

8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.
– Psalm 62:8

Pour Out Your Heart
Have you ever heard the saying He wears his heart on his sleeve?  It is usually used to describe someone who is emotional and is quick to let his emotions take over.  Have you ever know anyone who hides their heart in a vault?  They never let on what they are feeling, and they tend to hold in all their emotions so as not to let on what they are feeling.  Not only is this unhealthy for the person, but it is unhealthy for everyone else around them when all the pressure of their pent-up emotions finally reach a boiling point!

When we go to God in prayer, He not only wants us to wear our hearts on our sleeves, but He wants us to fully expose it, and lay it completely open at His feet.  He wants us to trust Him and to be completely transparent about what we are feeling – even with the things we might feel are silly or insignificant.  He wants us to be completely vulnerable (naked if you will), so that nothing is hidden or held back, because we are totally exposed.  He already knows everything that's there anyway.  He just wants us to acknowledge Him as God – you know . . . the one who created every fiber of our being.  He wants to know, that we know, who He really is.

It's funny the things that we do sometimes.  There are times when I've been praying and found myself thinking, "I can't tell God that – it's too embarrassing!"  Isn't that just dumb?!  That would be like trying to hide an elephant behind my back!  Everyone would be able to see it no matter how hard I try to deny or hide it.  God knows ALL about us, even the things we try to hide or keep secret.  He knows our thoughts, He knows our dreams, He knows our hurts, and He knows our past, so we might as well give Him ALL that we are – the good, the bad, and the embarrassing!  But if we aren't willing to give Him our ALL, how can we expect HIm to show us ALL that He has for us?  I believe that God will use the degree of openness of our hearts to help us along the way, as our future turns into our present – the more we are open to Him, the more opportunities He will open up for us.

We need to understand that God is our refuge – our hiding place.  He is with us when we are all alone, and we are completely safe in His embrace.  But sometimes, (a lot of the times), we just totally ignore Him.  How that must hurt.  He opened up His arms wide, totally exposing himself to the world, and He overcame sin and death . . . for us, and we aren't even willing to share our hearts with Him.  

I know it's difficult for me to do, but I also know that if I want to realize my dreams, if I want to get where He wants me to go, if I want to experience All that He has planned for me, I need to expose all there is about me.  I need to let Him mold me, and take all of the disgusting, dirty, beautiful, awkward, excellent, demented, creative, embarrassing, and wonderful parts of me, and use them (because they are me), to expand His kingdom.  I have nothing to lose by having nothing to hide, and I have everything to gain by exposing everything to Him!

Prayer
Father, I want so badly to pour out my whole heart, everything I am to You but sometimes I am so ashamed.  Sometimes I forget that You know it all anyway, and I realize that my stubborn pride and shame is just blocking the blessings that You have in store for me.  Help me to be vulnerable.  Help me to trust and to let go of all my inhibitions.  Help me to come to You like a child, full of awe, and wonder, and pure delight.  Help me Lord to see, and know, and trust You as the God of ALL of me.

Have a blessed day everyone!

– Richard