Many of you know that I enjoy cycling. One aspect at the forefront (or tail end) of every cyclist s mind is the wind. You want to know will there be a head wind, cross wind, or hopefully a tail wind. The strange thing is that you never really know where the wind will blow. In John 3:8, Jesus compared the working of the Holy Spirit to the wind. We want to walk with the Holy Spirit as with a tail wind. Set out today by asking God to make you sensitive to the direction of the Holy Spirit.
I feel that all too often I pray ASAP prayers. You know what I mean, God, please do this as soon as possible. I believe it is human nature to want to take the course of least resistance. I am not sure prayer works that way. You may be praying for a number of items that have been on your list of quite while. The goal of life is to glorify or honor God. Should not the goal of our prayers be the same? So rather than praying ASAP prayers, maybe our prayers should be ALAT as long as it takes. Commit to pray as long as it takes for God to receive the honor.
Do you have a story where you prayed and God showed up just in time? I took a few moments and looked through my prayer journal. There were several items concerning Janet s and my two sons where we have seen God deliver them the right job just in time. While we always like to have God show up, what if we prayed for him to show off? Maybe like He did with Elijah in 1 Kings 18:20f. Read this passage. Ask God to really show off in relation to your prayers.
Do you have refrigerator art? I do. I have grandchildren refrigerator art. It is valuable. No, it will never be on display at the New York Metropolitan Art Museum but it is very valuable to me. As a matter of fact, I have so much that some of it is in my office. If you view them in chronological order you can see how their thoughts, abilities and perceptions have changed. I believe our prayers to God are like refrigerator art. He values our prayers. He is not so concerned that we color outside the lines or that the images are difficult to identify. He just wants us to pray. This is day 32 of our 40 days. How have your prayers changed? How have you changed?
Today is my youngest son s birthday. As I reflect back in regards to having children, it was not something that Janet and I really planned. They just happened. As a matter of fact, if we had waited until we thought we were ready, we would still be waiting. I think often we approach things of God in the same way. We wait until we are ready before we step out. I am not dismissing preparation. Preparation is important. Think about Abraham. 39 But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul. - Hebrews 10:39 (NASB77) Abraham took the first step of faith not knowing his final landing spot. Is there something God is leading you to do and you are still sitting there? Take the first step and God will show you the final destination.
Have you ever participated in a prayer walk? Let me explain. Either as an individual or with a group you walk and pray. You can walk a neighborhood praying for the residents. Walk the grounds of a school, praying for an open door to ministry. Walk around a church, asking God to move in a powerful way. Prayer waling has biblical president. Remember Joshua and the walled city of Jericho? Joshua 6:1 tells us the city was TIGHTLY shut, so through God s plan he opens up the city. Is there an area that appears to be tightly shut? Is a prayer walk needed? Does God want you to lead out in a prayer walk?
Today is my dad s birthday. If he were alive he would celebrate 80 years. This is always a bitter sweet day. I fondly remember the sweet times. Vacations to his parents in Florida were always fun. The bitter is not knowing his eternal destiny. I know he heard the Gospel on multiple occasions. I know that I regularly prayed for him. I understand the reality of 2 Peter 3:9 9The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. Do you have a list of people for whom you are praying for their salvation? If not make a list. It could affect their eternal destiny.